Mavs Shut Off The Heat: Reflections on the 2011 NBA Finals

Stevenson likes the Dirk (Photo via adventuresofmrawesome.tumblr.com

I'm still tryin' to decompress after that Mavs/Heat NBA Championship Series. Some of the best playoff action I've ever seen....in ANY sport. I haven't watched an NBA Finals that intensely since Mike Jordan broke both of Bryon Russell's ankles with that sick crossover/push-off against Utah in '98.

This year's Finals felt like history in the making. The Heat Madvillainy element played into the drama, as previously discussed, but I just never thought Dallas coulda pulled this off the way they did! Mad props fellas. Dirk Nowitzki gave new meaning to the term "elevating your game", but they also got some serious contributions from their role players. Jason Terry's "We Gon Shock The World" mentality really sparked this team. They played with a fearlessness never before seen, especially in Game 5 in Dallas. And they carried the confidence from that crucial victory into Game 6 back in Florida.

Out of all the magical moments of Sunday's series-clincher for Dallas, two of my favourite moments include the look of absolute terror and disbelief in LBJ's eyes as it dawned on him that his nightmare was a reality! You could just tell he was panicking....hilarious!

Don't get me wrong, dude's a great ball player.....But he brought so much of this on himself.

Also that beautiful lefthanded kiss-off-the-glass lay-up by Nowitzki that sealed the deal, and brought Dallas their first championship in franchise history. It was a simple, yet profound exclaimation point. And I'm sure there's a large degree of satisfaction winning the title on your opponent's home court. Reports have it that the Mavs partied hard on South Beach after the victory, and were allegedly joined by former teammate and CURRENT Miami Heat player Erick Dampier!

Erick, we know you are friends with your former teammates, but the optics on this are really, REALLY bad, bro!

So finally, good has prevailed over evil.....the Good Guys have conquered the Madvillain. Disco Dirk can now remove his name from the list of "great NBA players that never won a championship ring."

Well, um, actually Dirk might still be on that list, as owner Mark Cuban is rumoured to be getting his players something other than rings for their championship!

Whatever Mark....do your players a solid. Forget the tennis bracelets.

Buy them RINGS!

-Turnbull