Dream playoff scenarios the Spurs would love to tackle in round one

As the playoffs approach, now is the time to start preparing for what is to come in April. Luckily for the Spurs, the Western Conference isn't as daunting as it once appeared. While there are certainly some difficult matchups, the overall landscape of teams is nothing we should be afraid of.

The Spurs have proven time and again that they are among the top teams in the West. If that statement is true, then claiming early victory over the teams below us should not be an ego-driven overreaction but rather a fact.

Looking ahead, these are the matchups San Antonio would take on with excitement in round one.

The Spurs would love to match up against a Western Conference rivals

You can't always live your dream, but for the Spurs, they may be able to. There are a few Western Conference enemies that, if the stars align, could provide San Antonio with a free ticket to the second round of the playoffs, plus some fun along the way.

The first is the Houston Rockets. Through three matchups this season, the Spurs are 2-1 against Houston. However, even with the sole loss, I feel confident we would beat these guys up in a seven-game series.

And when I say "beat up," I mean that this series would get violent in the best way possible. The Silver and Black would prove they are the tougher team and take them out with ease.

Second, I would absolutely love to quiet down the obnoxious Los Angeles Lakers. Every postseason, this fanbase loves to believe that they will make a run despite not having any real reasoning behind it.

This year's playoffs will provide them yet another first-round blunder. The Spurs are 3-1 against the Lake Show this season, with each win coming in dominant fashion. Even with their star power, this matchup would be a breeze.

The Spurs would make quick work of these play-in squads

If the Spurs hold onto the two-seed entering the playoffs, they will be lined up to face a play-in team in round one. Despite the West's absurd amount of power at the top, the talent simmers off once you reach the 7th and 8th seeds. Frankly, I wouldn't fear any of the current play-in squads.

Although the Phoenix Suns' story is a fun one, they aren't built to take down a juggernaut in round one. Their Cinderella story would come to an ugly end facing this Spurs team. Victor Wembanyama is too big for their small unit to handle; meanwhile, San Antonio has the infrastructure to slow down their backcourt.

Much like the Lakers, the Golden State Warriors constantly follow false beliefs. I wouldn't hate to see one last dance from Steph Curry, but without Jimmy Butler, that would be impossible, especially if they face the Spurs round one.

The baby-faced assassin has given San Antonio problems this year, but in a seven-game series, the Dubs won't have enough.

Lastly, do I even need to explain why the Spurs could beat the Portland Trail Blazers or the Los Angeles Clippers? I think not. Odds are these teams falter in the play-in tournament and save them from the embarrassment of playing the Spurs in the first round.

From top to bottom, it's easy to feel good about where the Spurs stand in the Western Conference. While the conference looks deadly on paper, San Antonio is even scarier. Based on everything we have seen so far this season, it's hard to doubt this electric squad.