Dynastic Warriors back where they believe they belong, in NBA Finals after eliminating Mavericks

The reports of the death of the Warriors dynasty are greatly exaggerated.

When Klay Thompson tore up his knee in the Finals against Toronto (then later ruptured his Achilles), when Kevin Durant bolted for the East Coast, and when father time looked like he was starting to win the race in Golden State, a lot of people wrote the Warriors dynasty off.

That was a mistake. No doubt things look a little different now from when the Warriors made five straight trips to the Finals. Andrew Wiggins is on the floor, not Andrew Bogut. And it’s Jordan Poole coming off the bench instead of Shaun Livingston. Even the building is different and on the other side of the Bay Bridge.

But what matters most never left.

The team’s core didn’t change — Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green. More importantly, the culture and style didn’t change — the ball and player movement that makes them so difficult to defend. The switching and smart defense led by Green. And that insane shooting that is their trademark is still there — Thursday night was Klay Thompson’s turn with 32 points on 8-of-16 from 3.

Klay is absolutely feelin’ it tonight