The Warriors’ Hubris Is Back to an All-Time High

In the high-stakes world of the NBA, teams that reach the pinnacle of success often carry a heavy burden: the weight of expectations. Once a team hits that top tier, it is expected to stay there, perpetually competing for championships and adding to its legacy. No team embodies this pressure and the complexities of maintaining success quite like the Golden State Warriors. The Warriors, whose rise to dominance in the 2010s reshaped the NBA, have seen the highs and lows of greatness, and now, once again, their swagger is back—this time with an edge that suggests a mix of confidence and hubris that may be as dangerous as it is exciting.

The Warriors’ legacy, with its record-setting 73-win season, multiple championships, and unparalleled dominance on both ends of the court, has forever changed the narrative surrounding team building in the NBA. But as the Warriors’ dynasty continues to thrive, their hubris—once thought to have been tempered by the passage of time—has resurfaced in ways that could either fuel their continued success or undermine everything they’ve worked for.

The Origins of the Warriors’ Hubris

Before diving into the present moment, it’s essential to understand the roots of this hubris. The Golden State Warriors’ rise to prominence began with the arrival of head coach Steve Kerr in 2014. Under Kerr, the Warriors revolutionized modern basketball with their emphasis on three-point shooting, pace, and unselfish ball movement. The signing of Kerr signaled a change in direction for a franchise that, prior to his arrival, had struggled to break through into true championship contention.

With the establishment of their modern identity, the Warriors quickly became the NBA’s most dominant team. In 2015, they claimed their first NBA title in 40 years, followed by two more championships in 2017 and 2018. Their brand of basketball, built around the “Splash Brothers” duo of Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, along with the versatile and gritty Draymond Green, was the perfect storm of shooting, defense, and basketball IQ. With three championships in four years, the Warriors earned their place in the history books, and with it came an unprecedented level of confidence.

However, with such a high level of success also came a sense of invincibility—a belief that they were untouchable. This swagger, which was born out of their incredible on-court chemistry, explosive offense, and defensive versatility, slowly morphed into something more dangerous: hubris. As the Warriors dominated the NBA, their attitude reflected a sense of superiority, both in terms of their on-court play and their overall perception of themselves as the league’s best team.

The Aftermath of the Warriors’ Peak

As with any dynasty, the Warriors’ golden years came with a few significant bumps. In 2016, they made history by winning 73 regular-season games—an achievement that broke the 1996 Chicago Bulls’ previous record. Yet despite this historic regular-season success, the Warriors faltered in the NBA Finals, losing a 3-1 lead to the Cleveland Cavaliers. The loss left a bitter taste in their mouths, but it also contributed to an internal narrative that began to shape their self-perception.

The following offseason, the Warriors made one of the most controversial moves in NBA history when they signed Kevin Durant, one of the league’s top players, to a team that was already on top. Many criticized the signing, arguing that the Warriors had taken the easy route to adding another championship. But Durant’s arrival only added fuel to their fire, and in the next two seasons, the Warriors would go on to win two more titles in dominant fashion. The combination of Curry, Thompson, Green, and Durant produced a brand of basketball that was near-impossible to stop, and by the time the Warriors completed their third title in four years in 2018, the hubris was at its peak.

At this point, the Warriors had achieved the status of not just the best team of their era, but one of the best teams in NBA history. Yet despite their on-court dominance, cracks began to appear in the foundation. Durant’s time with the Warriors was marred by injuries and internal tensions, culminating in his departure after the 2018-19 season. Additionally, injuries to key players like Thompson and Green further exposed the fragility of their championship aspirations. As the 2020 season approached, the Warriors were no longer the dominant force they once were, and their swagger began to fade.

The Resurgence of Hubris

Fast forward to the present day, and the Warriors are once again one of the NBA’s most dangerous teams. After a few seasons of rebuilding and managing the aftermath of their injuries, Golden State has returned to form. With Curry once again playing at an MVP level, Thompson back from injury, and Green anchoring the defense, the Warriors are poised to challenge for championships once more. But as they begin to build toward another title run, the confidence that has defined their brand of basketball is back—with a vengeance.

This newfound hubris is evident both on and off the court. On the court, the Warriors play with a sense of entitlement. They take their time, often playing at a leisurely pace during the regular season, knowing that when the stakes get high, they can flip the switch and dominate. Their flair for the dramatic, the off-the-cuff three-pointers, and the flashy passes all serve as a reminder of their historical prowess. Yet beneath this surface of skill and confidence lies a dangerous form of arrogance—an expectation that they are above their competition, even when the league has evolved and other teams have caught up.

The Warriors’ arrogance is evident in their treatment of the competition. From the very beginning of their return to championship contention, Golden State has made bold declarations about their position in the NBA hierarchy. The Warriors have been outspoken in their belief that they are the standard to which all other teams should aspire. While other teams around the league have made moves to strengthen their rosters, the Warriors have often dismissed the idea that any team poses a serious threat to their dynasty. This mindset is evident in their rhetoric, where they talk more about themselves than their competitors.

But while the Warriors’ confidence may be warranted based on their past success, it has led to a sense of complacency. Too often, the Warriors have leaned on their legacy, assuming that they can simply show up and dominate. They’ve failed to account for the rise of new contenders who are now more than capable of taking down the once-untouchable team. As the Western Conference grows stronger with the emergence of teams like the Phoenix Suns, Denver Nuggets, and Los Angeles Lakers, the Warriors’ overconfidence could be their undoing.

The Hubris of Management

The hubris extends beyond the players themselves. The Warriors’ front office, led by general manager Bob Myers and owner Joe Lacob, has exhibited a certain level of arrogance in their decision-making process. In many ways, the Warriors have become synonymous with their lavish spending and commitment to building a championship roster. Their massive luxury tax bills and investments in superstars like Curry and Thompson have been a point of pride for the organization. Yet, this commitment to a championship-or-bust mentality has left them vulnerable to the whims of injury, aging, and the salary cap.

The Warriors’ inability to develop young talent consistently is a significant area where their arrogance shines through. With such a strong focus on immediate success, Golden State has been unwilling to invest enough in the next generation of players. Their reliance on the “core three” of Curry, Thompson, and Green has led to a lack of long-term depth on their roster. While other teams have focused on building strong, sustainable rosters through the draft and player development, the Warriors have often relied on their stars to do the heavy lifting.

This hubris has also been reflected in their trade deadline and offseason decisions. When the Warriors traded for players like Andrew Wiggins and acquired seasoned veterans to add depth, the move was seen as indicative of their belief that they were still in a class of their own. But with the increased competition in the Western Conference and the growing dominance of teams like the Nuggets, the Warriors’ confidence in their ability to simply out-talent their opponents may not be enough to secure another title.

The Perils of Hubris

The Warriors’ hubris, while understandable given their history of success, is a double-edged sword. Confidence is essential for any team to reach its full potential, but when taken too far, it can cloud judgment and lead to complacency. In the case of the Warriors, their belief that they can simply revert to their dominant form whenever needed has become their Achilles’ heel. The rest of the NBA has caught up, and the Warriors will have to prove that they can still operate at an elite level in an era that has evolved beyond their initial formula.

The danger of hubris is that it can lead to missed opportunities, overlooked weaknesses, and a failure to recognize the changing landscape of the league. The Warriors must reconcile their legacy with the reality of a new, more competitive NBA. Their current crop of players is not immune to injury or aging, and the rest of the league is rapidly adapting to the style of basketball that they once pioneered.

Ultimately, the Warriors’ hubris will either propel them to yet another championship or become their undoing. If they continue to play with the swagger of past dominance without recognizing the evolving competition, they risk losing their place at the top. The question now is whether the Warriors can channel their hubris into motivation to remain the best, or whether their overconfidence will lead to their downfall. Only time will tell if they can navigate this fine line between swagger and arrogance and prove that their championship window has not yet closed.