SAN FRANCISCO — It was late April and the Golden State Warriors were floundering in the first round of the playoffs against the Los Angeles Clippers. Following disappointing losses that pushed the series to a sixth game, the Warriors looked disconnected and uninterested. Kevin Durant was still healthy, but his possible departure from Golden State was palpable. Amid the first feeling of uncertainty in a non-Finals playoff game in years, questions arose about the team's identity.
"What's our identity? Back-to-back champions," head coach Steve Kerr said. "I don't know; we're really good.