It’s true. The Warriors are in the Western Conference finals because Stephen Curry is unbelievable. Because their defense is as potent as the numbers indicate. Because their depth is second to none.

But it’s also true the Warriors are here because coach Steve Kerr is growing as he goes.

Kerr proved he was a good fit for this team during the 67-win regular season. But the playoffs are a different deal. And the Warriors survived their biggest test — shifting gears and putting away a Memphis Grizzlies squad that through three games of the conference semifinals looked wholly problematic for the Warriors — because Kerr proved game for the challenge.

His relentless pursuit of perfection and humility prompts constant self-checking and ensuing adjustments. And because he milks the talent of his staff, the likelihood is the Warriors bench will figure things out. That was evident against the Grizzlies.

What we watched unfold, or at least what hindsight is revealing, was a rookie coach growing on the job. In the playoffs.

What we witnessed was the Warriors’ greatest weakness, a leader inexperienced at his position, morph into a strength over the course of six games.

Kerr’s handling of the weight of postseason basketball, his openness to and adeptness at the chess of it all, is a huge reason the Warriors are in the conference finals. It’s also a big reason to be confident going forward, no matter who faces the Warriors.

Every idea will be heard. Every angle will be spied. Every correction will be made, the politics be damned. Kerr showed all of that in the Warriors series triumph over Memphis.

Some examples:

Kerr made a bold move to bolster the defense to start the season, allowing Stephen Curry to defend point guards, something Kerr’s predecessor, Mark Jackson, didn’t do. Kerr got lots of praise for it, from fans, from media, from Curry. But after Grizzlies point guard Mike Conley went off in Game 2 at Oracle Arena, scoring 22 points on 12 shots, Kerr took a page from Jackson’s book and had Klay Thompson defend Conley. It proved to be a pivotal move as Conley, who was battling injuries, was taken out of the series by Thompson, who at 6-foot-7 can smother smaller guards. Over the last four games of the series, Conley averaged 11.2 points on 31.2 percent shooting.

Kerr also took defensive stalwart Tony Allen out of the series. Allen was spectacular on defense in Games 2 and 3, frustrating Thompson and disrupting the Warriors offense. Kerr assistant Ron Adams, the defensive wizard, had a plan for Allen. And Kerr put into action for Game 4. The Warriors put center Andrew Bogut on Allen, leaving the Memphis guard wide open to shoot as he desired. He did, and it wasn’t pretty. Eventually, the Grizzlies, who already struggle to score, had no choice but to take out Allen.

Leandro Barbosa is one of Kerr’s guys. He trusted Barbosa while most others scratched their heads. But Kerr sat his guy and turned to Shaun Livingston. It was not a coincidence the series turned. Livingston is not only a post-up option and a guy who can set up others, but he’s also a good perimeter defender. He was pivotal in the series, and it was possible because Kerr wasn’t hung up on being right about Barbosa at the expense of making the right move. Another change: giving David Lee a shot. The injury to Marreese Speights forced Kerr’s hand a bit, but Lee got off the bench and produced. “For him to come in after the way this season has gone,” Kerr said, “the fact that his dumb coach hasn’t played him enough probably, he’s kept his attitude up. … I’m really proud of David.”

There was a noticeable absence from Kerr’s coaching repertoire: technical fouls. He finished the regular season tied for third-most in the NBA with eight, two behind New York Knicks coach Derek Fisher. But Kerr hasn’t drawn a single technical in the playoffs.