As the Golden State Warriors continue to win, the conversation has shifted. It seems to be a given that they are the best team in N.B.A.; the debate is whether they will surpass the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls, who were 72-10, as the best N.B.A. team ever.
But no matter how great a record the Warriors post, they will still have to win the playoffs or be considered failures. The past is littered with regular-season powers that failed in the postseason.
The Warriors are 55-5 after beating the Thunder, 121-106, on Thursday night. But the San Antonio Spurs are 52-9, a record that would be making headlines in a Warrior-less league.