The Dallas Mavericks are the 2011 NBA Champions, beating the Miami Heat in six games. But that's not an indictment of building around superstars. In fact, it bolsters the current paradigm.
LeBron James and the Miami Heat losing the 2011 NBA Finals made Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks winning it even sweeter, and a classic series full of great stories gave us the happiest ending of all.
The Dallas Mavericks have consistently out-executed the Miami Heat down the stretch of games in the 2011 NBA Finals. How can the Heat stop that? Here's an idea: why not put LeBron James on Dirk Nowitzki?
Why has LeBron James fallen apart? We may not be able to explain the why, but here's a look at what exactly has happened to the Miami Heat star as the NBA Finals have progressed.
The Dallas Mavericks beat the Miami Heat and tied the 2011 NBA Finals at two games apiece on Tuesday night. But even after more heroics from Dirk Nowitzki and Dwyane Wade, all the talk centers on LeBron James.
As this fan with a long history of hating LeBron James' antics can attest, you don't have to like King James to appreciate what he's done with the Miami Heat this season in leading them to the 2011 NBA Finals.
The Miami Heat survived Game 3 against the Dallas Mavericks despite a huge night for Dirk Nowitzki. And if the Heat can win even when Dirk and the Mavericks dominate, maybe they're just the better team.
Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Terry killed the Miami Heat down the stretch as the Dallas Mavericks came back to win Game 2 of the NBA Finals. But plenty of the Heat's damage was self-inflicted, as their offense began to rely on LeBron James isolation and some ugly, ugly shots.
Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks pushed for three quarters, but in the fourth, the Miami Heat, lead by LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, pulled away, just like they've been doing all playoffs long. There's a theme developing here.
The Miami Heat beat the Dallas Mavericks in Game 1 of the 2011 NBA Finals by suffocating Dirk Nowitzki and friends. It's what the Heat have done all postseason long.
The 2011 NBA Finals are here, and LeBron James and the Miami Heat are one series away from silencing their critics. But before the coronation, here's a reminder of why so many folks are rooting for the Dallas Mavericks.
What can we expect to see from the Dallas Mavericks and Miami Heat on offense during the 2011 NBA Finals? We break down their favorite sets and out-of-bounds plays.
You think the Miami Heat are wearing the black hats entering the 2011 NBA Finals? No, the Dallas Mavericks and their leader -- Mark Cuban -- are really what's wrong with the NBA.
The Dallas Mavericks have advanced to the 2011 NBA Finals using just one star -- Dirk Nowitzki. The Chicago Bulls need to take notes.
