Western Conference Finals through Spurs-colored glasses

The Western Conference Finals begins tonight. The Golden State Warriors, who spent the second half of the last decade dominating the NBA and maintaining a stranglehold on Finals appearances, are taking on the Dallas Mavericks.

The Warriors took a pummeling from the Memphis Grizzlies in an elimination game, but returned to knock out the Ja Morant-less Grit and Grind Grizzlies.

The Mavericks appeared beat after two games in their series against the top-seeded Phoenix Suns, but treated the series as a true best of seven. In the end, they embarrassed the Suns on the own home court in Game 7.

For Spurs fans, the Mavs represent a Texas rivalry. But for many of us, the Warriors still represent a…