The Golden State Warriors’ dynasty from 2014 to 2019 was a spectacle of basketball brilliance, a run that redefined dominance in the NBA. With three championships, a record-breaking 73-win season in 2016, and the emergence of Stephen Curry as a generational talent, the Warriors seemed untouchable. Adding Kevin Durant to an already stacked roster only cemented their status as a superteam for the ages. But in their final year together, the 2018-2019 season, the Warriors faced a challenge they couldn’t outshoot or outmaneuver: the injury bug. And now, years later, DeMarcus Cousins, a key piece of that historic team, has revealed a shocking truth about the Warriors’ mindset during their last dance.
A Dynasty’s Final Chapter
The Warriors’ 2018-2019 season was nothing short of a masterclass in resilience and star power. After securing back-to-back titles in 2017 and 2018, they added DeMarcus Cousins, a four-time All-Star, to an already loaded roster. Cousins, recovering from a devastating Achilles tear suffered during his time with the New Orleans Pelicans, was a gamble that paid off. In just 25.7 minutes per game, he delivered 16.3 points and 8.2 rebounds, proving he could still dominate as a key role player. His presence gave the Warriors yet another weapon, making them appear invincible.
The results spoke for themselves: the Warriors clinched their fifth consecutive Western Conference championship, dominated the Pacific Division for the fifth straight year, and finished atop the Western Conference. They marched into their fifth consecutive NBA Finals, facing the Toronto Raptors with the weight of history on their shoulders. But beneath the surface of their dominance, something else was brewing—a mentality so brash it bordered on disrespect.
The Confession That Shocked the NBA
In a recent appearance on the Run Your Race podcast with Theo Pinson, DeMarcus Cousins pulled back the curtain on the Warriors’ 2019 season, revealing a mindset that stunned fans and analysts alike. According to Cousins, the team’s confidence was so unshakable that it sometimes crossed into arrogance. “It was so bad, bro,” Cousins said with a laugh. “Steve [Kerr] used to be like, ‘Man, y’all are being disrespectful.’”
Cousins recounted moments that highlighted the Warriors’ swagger. “It was times we were going out there [for pregame warmups]—with like six minutes on the clock,” he said. While most teams treat warmups as a sacred ritual, the Warriors were so locked in, so sure of their superiority, that they’d casually stroll out with barely enough time to get shots up. “We showing up. We coming out—we are doing our job every night,” Cousins continued. “It was just the look of it… this sh** getting a little disrespectful.”
This wasn’t just confidence; it was a statement. The Warriors knew they were the best, and they carried themselves with an audacity that left opponents rattled before the game even tipped off. But this brazen attitude, as Cousins revealed, was a double-edged sword.
The Injury Bug Strikes
For all their talent and bravado, the Warriors couldn’t escape the cruel twist of fate in the 2019 NBA Finals. The Toronto Raptors, led by Kawhi Leonard, proved to be a formidable foe. But it was injuries, not just Toronto’s defense, that derailed Golden State’s quest for a three-peat. Klay Thompson suffered a torn ACL, a devastating blow to the Warriors’ backcourt. Kevin Durant, already nursing a calf injury, pushed his body to the limit and tore his Achilles in Game 5. Cousins himself was still battling the lingering effects of his own Achilles injury. The Warriors fought valiantly but fell to the Raptors in six games, their dynasty crumbling under the weight of battered bodies.
A Team Like No Other
Despite the loss, the 2018-2019 Warriors remain one of the most talented rosters ever assembled. Stephen Curry, the game’s greatest shooter, was at the peak of his powers. Kevin Durant, a scoring machine with unparalleled versatility, was a matchup nightmare. Klay Thompson and Draymond Green brought elite two-way play, and Cousins added a bruising interior presence. This was a team that could score at will, defend with ferocity, and intimidate with their sheer aura.
DeMarcus Cousins says the Warriors’ super team was so disrespectful that they used to show up to warm up just six minutes before the game started 😅
(🎥 @RunYourRaceTL ) pic.twitter.com/JGlGm6Kdjx
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) June 27, 2025
Cousins’ revelations on the Run Your Race podcast only add to the mystique of that squad. Their “disrespectful” approach wasn’t born of malice but of an unshakable belief in their dominance. They didn’t just play to win—they played to make a statement. And while injuries may have cut their reign short, the 2019 Warriors left an indelible mark on the NBA.
The Legacy Lives On
The Warriors’ 2019 season was the final chapter of a dynasty that captivated the basketball world. DeMarcus Cousins’ candid reflections offer a rare glimpse into the mindset of a team that knew it was special, perhaps too special for its own good. Their confidence, teetering on the edge of arrogance, was both their greatest strength and their Achilles’ heel. As the NBA continues to evolve, one thing remains clear: we may never see a team like the 2019 Golden State Warriors again.