Kurtenbach: If this is the end of the Warriors dynasty, remember it for what it was — incredible

LOS ANGELES — If this is indeed the end of the Warriors’ dynasty, don’t remember the way it ended.

No, remember all the incredible moments that came before Friday’s loss to the Lakers.

Remember the four titles in eight years, starting with the baby-faced Dubs’ improbable but convincing run to their first title in 2015 and perhaps culminating in Steph Curry’s brilliant NBA Finals last June.

Remember the early games of the 2014-2015 season, when Steve Kerr’s new offense was taking shape in Oakland. This was basketball being played in its highest form, and it would spoil everyone who regularly watched it for years to come.

Remember Klay Thompson’s incendiary performances — 37 points in a quarter, 60 points on 11 dribbles, 14 made 3-pointers — that turned Oracle Arena into a basketball tent revival.

Remember Draymond Green’s defensive brilliance — a singular and unique force at stopping opposing teams — and his near-cosmic ability to affect winning.

Remember the Blues City Cafe, Andrew Bogut-on-Tony Allen, and Curry’s three-quarters court heave in Memphis.

Remember David Lee’s great shifts off the bench in the 2015 NBA Finals, or Andre Iguodala joining the starting lineup and shutting down (as much as one could) a prime LeBron James.

Remember 73 wins, every delirious night on the path to the regular-season win record, the Double Bang in the greatest regular-season game of all time, and Game 6 Klay in OKC.

Remember Bogut’s bone-crushing picks and Shaun Livingston’s low-post brilliance. David West’s wise-dad energy and Jordan Bell’s love of candles.

Remember Mo Speights’ unmissable 17-foot jumper and Leandro Barbosa’s ability to play the game on fast-forward.

Remember just how far ahead of the league the Warriors were, and how fun it was to watch a revolution happen in real-time, with the Dubs converting doubters to believers on a nightly basis.

Then remember that they took it to another level when Kevin Durant joined the team and created the Super Villains.

Remember the great playoff battles between James Harden’s Rockets and the Dubs — they were worthy adversaries — a necessary foil of reprehensible basketball character that pushed one of the most talented teams ever to be truly great.

Remember the 16-1 postseason.

Remember Curry cooking Chris Paul when he played with the Clippers. Then the Rockets. And oh, yeah, the Suns.

Remember “I’m here. I’m back.”

And never, ever forget that we once thought this dynasty was dead, only for it to start again with Andrew Wiggins and Kevon Looney’s brilliant postseasons and Curry posting one of the most incredible individual NBA Finals performances ever.

No one knows what happens next for the Warriors. Even the most educated guesses are likely to look ridiculous in retrospect.

But it’s without question that a shake-up is needed. This team wasn’t close to good enough to win a title this year. The fact they went 6-7 in the postseason proves that. And the way they lost Game 6 Friday — the way they lost so many road games this season, falling behind early and closing the deficit — only strengthens the argument.

And while all the winning this team in the past seemingly overrode all the evidence they provided this season, making them feel inevitable, the truth is this team “maxed out,” per coach Steve Kerr.

Add in the fact that this roster costs $370 million in player payroll and luxury tax, according to Spotrac.com — $40 million more than any other team in the league.

The Warriors’ blowout Game 6 loss culminated a season that never quite clicked. We’ll find out if it was the culmination of one of the greatest team cores in modern sports history.

Yes, breaking up the Big Three — Curry, Green, and Thompson — is absolutely on the table this offseason, as Green has a player option for the 2023-24 season and Thompson is entering the final year of his contract. Jordan Poole, Jonathan Kuminga, and Donte DiVincenzo could also be on their way out.

But no matter what happens in the coming days, weeks, months, and years, remember that perhaps no team in Bay Area sports has provided as much joy and pride to the region as the Warriors.

This was (is?) truly a one-of-a-kind team. A transformative squad whose impact will last decades.

And if the Warriors’ days contending for titles are over, I choose to remember them at their best.

There was nothing else like them.