OAKLAND, Calif. _ Within a one-week span, the Warriors have shown split identities.
They experienced a 33-point loss to a possible NBA championship contender (Boston Celtics), marking the team's most lopsided loss of the season. Two days later, they responded with a commanding 17-point win against the Western Conference's second-best team (Denver Nuggets). Two days after that, the Warriors labored through an eventual loss to the Western Conference's worst team (Phoenix Suns).
Which version will we see of the Warriors (45-21) when they visit the Houston Rockets (42-25) on Wednesday? How about for the rest of their four-game trip with stops in Oklahoma City (Saturday), San Antonio (March 18) and Minnesota (March 21)?
Who knows. Despite or perhaps because of that that uncertainty, Warriors coach Steve Kerr admitted that "I kind of like getting out on the road right now." After all, Houston, Oklahoma City and San Antonio are all playoff-bound teams.
"It's not going to determine the fate of our season. But we need to connect better and put some momentum together game after game," Kerr said. "That would be a good place to start."
Perhaps then, the Warriors might show some clarity on what their identity will become. In fairness, the Warriors likely won't show their true selves until the playoffs start. But can these games convey any clairvoyance on which Western Conference teams could challenge them the most in a presumed Western Conference Finals matchup? Below is a look at the Western Conference landscape.
