What best exemplifies the arrogance and entitlement surrounding the Golden State Warriors? Steve Kerr as Coach of the Year after coaching half of the regular season? Steph Curry turning away, taunting his opponents upon release, before the shot reaches the basket? Klay Thompson lecturing Lebron James on manhood? The owner, Lacoub’s proclamation that the Warriors are constructed light years ahead of the other NBA franchises? Thrown mouthpieces and kicks to the groin? Ayesha Curry literally biting the hand (NBA) that feeds her? Its difficult to pinpoint one, but when viewed together they make clear the mindset of privilege and superiority. And they almost won.

They almost won because the team is an abundantly talented bunch. Mark Jackson accepts with dignity his exile from coaching them, but the obvious lack of discipline which led to their demise has to at minimum amuse him. He built their cohesion, their confidence, and their focus on the defensive end. He did not instill the swagger, the hubris.

What next for this group? Lebron, Kyrie, and the Cavaliers are the new champions, despite the Warriors’ record number of wins. Not even his parents can argue today that Steph Curry is the better player compared to Lebron with any credibility. So, where do they go from here?

The core of Curry, Thompson, and Draymond Green is still intact, and that means they will be very good for years to come. But they won’t be champions. They will contend for sure. Harrison Barnes won’t be around after his miserable shooting, and they will improve at that position. There are questions at the center position, but that’s not been their strongest suit, and isn’t their greatest vulnerability either.

In a post game interview, Russell Westbrook was asked about Steph Curry’s defense, and rather than address the question, he buried his head in his hands, and couldn’t suppress a smile of frustration. After attacking this man at will, he had made errors down the stretch, lost the game, and had to sit and listen to questions about, of all things, the defense of someone he thought he’d demonstrated was weaker and slower. But this was Curry, and these were the Warriors. Until he’d won the series against them, there would always be these perceptions of their superiority. He didn’t beat them.

Kyrie Irving and the Cavaliers beat them. Kyrie, in the words of Stephen A. Smith, “…gave Steph Curry the business…” The Cavs forced switches, and when Curry stood between a Cav and the basket, they gleefully, relentlessly went at him. Steph isn’t a bad defender, but he’s not strong enough, quick enough, nor tall enough to dissuade such an onslaught. The world saw it. His opposing NBA guards all saw it. There will be more of the same come next season. It will wear him down, affect his offense, force adjustments which inevitably lead to advantages for his opposition elsewhere.

Klay Thompson and Draymond Green are very talented players, a handful for anyone, and sometimes unstoppable. When Steph isn’t playing like the “…baddest man on the planet…”, they will attempt to take on more of the load. But that won’t get them 73 wins. It won’t get them through the West and to the NBA Finals either. As they lose more games, they will lose more swagger. Their opponents will be more confident, and more determined. Their glory will fade, and they will again be a really good team, but not the best team.

And it almost didn’t happen. They nearly prevailed.