Got a request? Leave a comment here. ask.fm/gearmast3r Every play from Dirk Nowitzki in the 2011 NBA Finals against the Miami Heat in his stellar MVP performance.
That season Dirk was the best basketball player on Earth. He didn't sustain it very long but for that year no one was better, not LBJ, Kobe, KD, no one.
@@terencefletcher5139 I see that to a degree but that 73-9 team could argue the suspension of draymond green, along with fatigue of that type of season could of caused that lost, dirk beat a young kd and Russ, a dominant lakers team at the time with Kobe, then to beat a Lebron led heats just puts it over the top, especially his team being picked to lose each series, he ain’t have no Kyrie on his team, with all the favors from the refs on his side nah
@@terencefletcher5139 Eh… The Warriors collapsed due to defense fatigue, and losing Draymond for most of the series which was their defensive star… also it was just one series, Dirk played against tough teams back to back to back.
@@Jason-TheChad-Muska_circa1995 Dirk made the castle for Luka, so he and his teammates can enjoy.. Dallas wasn't the team before Dirk as it is after Dirk..
@@saqlainkhan6414 yeah I may have misinterpreted what he said as being the better player instead of being the more iconic Maverick. I'd never agree the Dirk is that more iconic Mav by far.
@@Jason-TheChad-Muska_circa1995 The better player would bring chips. People pay too much attention to “pretty play” instead of championship stamina. 100% that laker fans would take Kobe or Johnson as the best laker instead of Lebron. Only fanboys would take Doncic over Dirk.
@@TheCOWBOYRANCHER Dude even bringing up LeBron's name as one of the top 10 Lakers is an insult. But My initial comment wasn't stating that Luka Is the more iconic Maverick at this point that would be absurd. I was saying that he's entered the chat as in the conversation. Now if you're no longer talking about what the individual player means to the organization well then that's a whole different ballgame. Because talent wise there's no comparison between the talent of Luka doncic and the talent of Dirk Nowitzki. Luka wins that every time.
TRILL NIGGA I realize trust me, in my opinion, Dirk is in top 5 over all. If I had to start my team around 1 player, and in his prime, it would be either, Iverson, Dirk, or Lebron
Sam Sam Agree, Dirk doesn’t get enough respect. Best PF of all time, I’d take him over Duncan or Malone. I’d have to take LeBron to start a team tho if I had to choose 1 player
Dirk was too hungry and unstoppable. He acknowledged the fact that this was his last opportunity to win while in his prime. But must give huge credit to Jason Terry, Kidd, Chandler, Marion also. Entire bench consisted of very solid, well known veterans. The players were humble/no drama type, so i believe they meshed well plus the talent was present. Can't forget the 2011 Mavs, the finals series felt so real.
grettings from germany ^^ exerpt from a wikipedia article to dirk nowitzki googletranslate Beginnings in Germany Dirk Nowitzki's mother Helga Nowitzki was, like his sister Silke Nowitzki, a national basketball player. His father Jörg-Werner Nowitzki used to play handball in the 2nd Bundesliga and was Dirk's handball coach in the meantime. Through gymnastics, handball and tennis, Dirk Nowitzki himself only came to basketball at the age of 13 (school team of the Würzburg Röntgen Gymnasium and later DJK Würzburg). His later mentor and trainer Holger Geschwindner happened to meet Nowitzki in the summer of 1993. Geschwindner himself does not see himself as Nowitzki's discoverer: "I didn't discover him at all, he already played basketball," said Geschwindner in 2015. The former national player saw the youthful Nowitzki as a player in an Eggolsheim veteran team. “There was a youth game ahead of us and there was this tall, skinny boy [jumping around]. Funnily enough, he did pretty much everything a good basketball player needs to be able to do, but had no technical tools, i.e. dribbling, shooting and so on. These are all things that you can learn and then I asked him: 'Who is teaching you this sport?'” 'Nobody', that's what Nowitzki answered, said Geschwindner.[9] He offered Nowitzki to train him ("Come on, if you want, we can try it.").[9] From then on he worked intensively with him on the basketball technique and stood by Nowitzki until the end of his career at important tournaments or in important phases of the season (play-offs, etc.) as a coach and manager with advice and assistance.[10] In October 2019, Nowitzki said in retrospect that Geschwindner was different from all the other coaches he had seen over 20 years. He always tried to keep the training “interesting”, judged Nowitzki.[11] When Geschwindner looked after Nowitzki as a teenager, the trainer "simply found a good middle ground so that we boys don't lose the fun and jump off."[11] From the summer of 1994 Nowitzki belonged to the first team of the DJK Würzburg and played in the second basketball league. Nowitzki also played basketball during his time as a conscript in the German Armed Forces, from September 1, 1997 to June 30, 1998. He was a member of the German Armed Forces sports promotion group in Mainz. In the 1997/98 season he was the most successful basket shooter and rebounder for the then second division club DJK Würzburg and decisively helped the team to rise to the basketball league. In the promotion round to the first basketball league, DJK Würzburg took first place in its group with 14:2 points. The Würzburg team won the last and decisive promotion game 95:88 against their archrival USC Freiburg, who then had to be relegated from the basketball Bundesliga after a year in the first division. Nowitzki scored 26 points in that game. In 1998, the German specialist magazine "Basket" awarded the then second division player Nowitzki the unofficial title Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the relegation to the Basketball Bundesliga in 1998. NBA scouts caught the 19-year-old's attention when he led a junior world squad to victory against top US talent at the annual Nike Hoop Summit on March 29, 1998 in San Antonio, Texas with an outstanding performance (33 points, 14 rebounds and 3 steals).[12] In addition, Nowitzki showed his skills at the U22 Junior Basketball Championship, which took place from July 14 to 23, 1998 in Trapani, Italy. The junior national basketball team reached the round of 16 and Nowitzki played the game for seventh place (97-95 victory in overtime against Lithuania) with 34 points outstanding.[13] He was then selected as the ninth player in the 1998 NBA draft. Because of the players' strike (lockouts) in the NBA, Nowitzki initially continued to play in Germany. He made his first division debut on September 4, 1998 against Alba Berlin. He gets 6 steals in this game. Nowitzki was voted Basketballer of the Year in his first and only Bundesliga season in 1998/1999, the year DJK Würzburg was promoted, although he only played four months and 16 out of a total of 26 competitive games because he had already signed a professional contract in the NBA. Nowitzki averaged 22.9 points in those 16 games, averaged 8.4 rebounds and 3.1 assists, and had a PIR of 27.13.[14] He played his last game in the basketball league on January 3, 1999 against MTV Gießen, Nowitzki scored 34 points.[15] NBA player with the Dallas Mavericks -> de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dirk_Nowitzki krassr typ ^^
I remember when we watched that last game here in germany. People who never watch basketball came together and witnessed that moment at 4am in the morning. All the bars were packed. Dirk is just such a legend.
BS.. Nobody came together especially not people who were not interested in NBA basketball to begin with.. Also the bars where not packed. Even to find one which had a broadcast would have been very difficult
@M M Fuck that Pau is the reason Kobe won.... The Lakers were not even gonna make the playoffs until they traded for him.... Look at his stats. Stats do not lie 2007 -2011 19pg 10 reb 3 asst 55% shooting during their 3 finals seasons.... if that is not a superstar than idk what is
@M M Pau Gasol was All-NBA 2nd team during the Championships. There was only 1 team that had 2 All-NBA players during the Kobe Championship years: the Lakers. Compared to the rest of the superstars he had the most help including Phil Jackson.
Dirk one legged fade away is like to Kareem Sky hook, cant be blocked. Might miss but can't be blocked. Vince once blocked dirk but it wasn't the legendary one legged, still a great accomplishment to block a 7 footer though.
Witnessing Dirk carry this Mavericks team to victory in 2011 was the most intense and exciting basketball I've ever had the pleasure of watching. Dirk epitomizes loyalty and class; he deserved every bit of that championship and nobody can argue with that.
true and then they let go of tyson chandler aka the first real center dirk ever had... and jj barea and stevenson lol...smh! the 3 guys that helped them win with toughness because beaubois and butler and brewer and haywood were useless lol..its funny how injuries and mistakes can sometimes lead you to finding greatness ...smh!...dirk wasnt mvp of the finals though...terry earned it imo
Dirk's run in 2011 was one of the most spectacular moments of basketball i've witnessed. Really solidified his status as a legend in the NBA that season.
Jordan was retired, not hurt. Olajuwon won 2 championships, not. Are we talking individual skill or accomplishments? Winning is a team sport! Hakeem has 2 DPOY awards, he's a 2x finals MVP, a regular season MVP, a 10x all defensive team. We're talking about a mean that averages 3.1 blocks in his career! What could Dirk do better than Hakeem? Beside shoot.....
So just because you're a scorer, you're the best? Hakeem, in 1988, averaged 37 and 16 in the postseason And averages 25 and 11 for his postseason career. If basketball is only about getting the ball in the bucket, Derrick Rose, Russell Westbrook, Steve Francis, Steph Curry, Damian Lillard, Chris Paul are all better than Magic because they score better than him.
Still one of the best finals. The ageing Mavs managed to get the ring. Much respect with these guys. Been waiting for these since 2006 finals lost. It’s really worth the win. Thanks Dirk!
I‘m from Germany and I had the best time in my life during this Series. Woke up at night to watch the Games, went very tired to work. But at least with a big smile. And I cried when he won his ring, he is my hero!
Same here! It still gives me goose bumps. He played his heart out. Nothing but respect. Er ist und bleibt einer der größten Spieler aller Zeiten 41-21-1 - mehr muss man nicht sagen! 🤜🤛
@@vivienneduong6541 dirks ring is amazing but dont discredit lebron calling him a ring chaser when he alone is a goddamn superteam, he goes to any team with a decent player all of a sudden people call that shit a superteam
crewkid52 You can't say it any better. The dude refused to lose. He knew that if he didn't win this one, he was most likely not gunna get a ring. He was playing NO games.
Remember when Wade and Lebron were mocking him when he got sick? And then he buried them? As a Lakers fan, I've always hated the Mavs, but this was a remarkable run. HOF'er for sure.
Nelson Betancourt what reason do you have as a lakers fan to hate the mavs? besides the sweep (which I honestly have no clue how that happened) MAVS AINT GET NO LOVE MAN I SWEAR
I hate the Mavs because I dislike Mark Cuban and they've been a rival for quite a while now. I still respect Dirk and rooted for the Mavs in the '11 Finals though. What more do you want?
+Nelson Betancourt When they blew that 24 point lead against the blazers in the first round people thought they were done. Im a spurs fan but that was one of the most remarkable runs ever. They were not the best team that season, they just wanted it more than anyone else.
Lol Erick Dampier. Guy plays for the Mavs and then loses to the Heat for the championship. Guy plays for the Heat then loses to the Mavs for the championship
Man I almost tear up after watching this again. I know I cried like a lil girl that night they won the chip. Every single player on the mavs showed up to play and win. It’s surreal to think this was five years in the making following the 06 loss but also like a decade in the making for any true fans of this team. The battles with the kings and spurs in the early 2000s, getting swept by the warriors in 07, shit is crazyyy to think about what dirk had to go thru for that ring and that’s what makes it so sweet knowing he got it.
lyndongaming if you look at my comment you can see i said he didn't try in the FOURTH by that i mean during the 4th quarter he didn't try which shows how throughout the 4th quarter finals he only scored 11 points in TOTAL. That is not the Lebron that we know today, so to see him averaging 2.2 points in the 4th quarter IN THE FINALS as a superstar is blasphemy. If you want to argue do your research, then come talk to me.
As a german looking a compatriot playing such an amazing game in the worlds best basketball league it feels strange on some way, cause this game is so underrated here. I am very proud that he had such a succes and that he was so loyal to his Mavericks Organisation.Something you see in todays sport very seldom. Hope One day another big german ill play again in the worlds best league. His modesty should be an inspiation for everyboday! LEGEND!!!!
yes totally. how the fuck could u defend a tall nba player. doing fucking fade away shots.. kobe was hard to guard especially when he fades away. but this guy is on hes free zone when he fades away
JOsh, he was unguardable... lol no one on the blazers could stop him, no one on the thunder could stop him, and no one on the lakers could, the back 2 back champs lakers got swept
Watching these highlights make me realize how much of a fuckin warrior Nowitzki is. He had a couple injured fingers and was still shooting lights out against that Heat defense and didnt back down one second against the Heat, who had at least two superstars in their PRIMES, (if you don't want to count Bosh as a superstar). Top 15 player of all time in my opinion, as of now.
+The Dream Merchant He didn't mean offensively. Obviously offensively he is not very versatile but his jumper is unstoppable so who cares about versatility? Points are points. What Kareem said was that he should have worked on his defense and rebounding. If these elements were better then he might have even been at the level of Tim Dunkan or better. He didn't say he was a bad player, he said that his game could have been more complete.
Dirk played his heart out in this Finals playing one of the most dominant teams ever, one of the greatest performances and players in the history of the NBA
One of my favorite players of all time and reason I started playing basketball and gained a love for the game. I was so happy when they won the championship. Well deserved, good times.
What you really have to admire about Dirk is his *insanely* good work ethics. What a lot of people who only look at his Fade-Aways and his Dunks don't realize: Dirk puts in *absurd* amounts of time to be such a good shooter, especially when it comes to 3 pointers and free throws ! A lot of other stars are notoriously awful at free throws because they feel it's "beneath" them to constantly grind away at a skill that doesn't get shown on highlight reels and doesn't get the crowd hyped. Dirk, however, understands how important every single point is to actually *win* games !
Well. I don't think his shooting % was really good for that series. So the Heat defended him really well. His FG % was 41%, however, his Free Throw % was ridiculously high. Like 94%. And he made the shots when they counted. Thats the most important thing. In the final 3 minutes of games he made so many big shots.
Pau gasol isnt as efficient I would consider him more of a post playmaker and low high post kinda dude. Kevin love is still getting better hes more of a rebounding hustle type player who can knock down some open looks. I doubt any of these 2 can match the 7 footer skill set of Dirk
Dirk was such an outstanding and dominant player that he single-handedly led Germany team to medals on 2002 World Cup & 2005 Eurobasket. It was amazing to watch him doing that. 👏
Dirk Nowitzki will be considered one of the best all time players for many reasons. But some reasons they do not keep stats on. Dirk is a class player with respect for the game. He isn't flashy, he is efficient. He does not use gimmicks like head bands and trash talk. He does not mock and insult other players, he is a silent killer on the hardwood. He isn't consistently shopping the NBA for a better salary, he is actually sacrificing his own salary to build a better team. When it's all said and done, Dirk is a lot like Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, David Robinson, Tim Duncan, Pete Maravich, and so 'few" others that played for the love of the game. Dirk is to Dallas what Kobe is to the Lakers and what Duncan is to the Spurs. The fans appreciate the real players who support the hometown team and never give up. LeBron James will never know what that feels like. Both LeBron and Wade will also always be remembered for the 2006 season, which arguably was the most controversial season in the history of the NBA. No one inside or outside the walls of the NBA respects the 2006 season, and most all players and fans alike consider the 2006 Championship and "Un-earned" victory at best.
Can't believe this was nearly 11 years ago, still feel like it was yesterday😭This will forever hold a place in my heart. Love you Dirk, thank you for all the beautiful memories you gave us. 💙
zettadom Yeah, there are a lot of aspects that make a player great, but Curry is definitely a better shooter than LeBron. He never said he's better, stronger, more clutch (maybe he is) or a better rebounder. I don't know why you had to put all those other arguments when Curry only said that he's a better shooter than LeBron - never said anything about being a better player in general. If you want to use this same argument in the future, you should use James Harden's statement instead. He's the one who said that he's the greatest player alive.
James Lee "by any standards" By some standards, yes. Statistics don't lie. Whether those standards are what we should go by is a completely different question.
Grew up,watching Dirk and Nash. Always mimicking his jump shot when i play as well his fade. Happy Retirement. One of the Greatest Power Forward of all time. Watching this finals was difficult during that time was amazing. Im glad Dirk won his Ring
dirk's still means more. He didnt leave Dallas to chase his first ring. True Champ. I like lebron but he has had more quality players throughout his career than dirk.
You had: - Rocky (Mavs) blue and Ivan (Heat) Red - Avenging a tragic loss in Apollo at the hands of the opponent (Mavs Finals loss two seasons prior to the Heat) - Leveling up of both sides thru endless training montages (Dirk training to become the best and the Heat upgrading the roster) - The heavily favored opponent Ivan (Heat), a literal heavyweight (LBJ) against a lightweight (Dirk) underdog, - And the tenor of the actual games met the tenor of the Balboa/Drago fight. With the Heat landing the big heavy blows and winning the early rounds, but with the Mavs, surviving the onslaught, not giving up, executing with flawless form (free throw after free throw without a miss), until it finally makes a difference. - And just like Rocky literally willed himself to victory, so too did Dirk will his team to victory!
Not to mention -- Rocky's strong suit was surviving punches, not blocking them. In other words, just like Dirk, their defense wasn't what they were best at. But their spirits were indomitable.
I'm really happy Dirk got one before he retires. He is a classy guy, and he had to overcome a lot of weaknesses in his game, which he DID. Hard work, practice, sweat, blood and tears WON him that championship. Not just talent alone. Cough cough, (young players today)
I am a Heat fan, but boy in 2011 you guys beat the then defending champions Lakers, the future finalists Thunder with Harden and the to be champion Heat.. Epic. No other word
It's literally called "Wiener" which means "from Vienna". We get it, you know how to write Schnitzel and Lederhosen; That shit hasn't been funny for a decade.
I'm a student This was my first nba game and I was thrilled by his awesome performance. Since this series, my favorite athlete is still Dirk Nowitzki! Before he retires, I wish him get a another ring!! Really thanks to this video uploader so I can reminisce my first best basketball moment... Salute to Dirk~ (Sorry for my poor englishㅜㅜ)
Dirk BALLED out that entire playoff run. Clutch in every game in the Finals. Definitely one of the all time greats. Ans that jump shot is SO ice water!!!
I am watching this video every year, just miss this guy so much, this is really beautiful basketball. Dirk shots so well but the moves before the shooting is better! This will be the video I will be sharing with my son when he grows older, just to tell him why I love this game and this guy so much. Miss you in the court Dirk.
People don't realize the mavs were the underdogs in every series.. swept kobe pau.. beat kd harden westbrook.. portland.. and lebron Bosh and wade. RESPECT
You know what's crazy? Lebron has been the best player in the league for a while, and Dirk outplayed him in his championship run. Dirk is an amazing player.
Stephen is better then lebron,curry has won mvp 2 years in a row,and as for this years finals stephen curry wasn't fully healthy and the nba is rigged!
This championship is like winning 6-peat championship. The pain and sacrifices pays off. Love you Dirk ! All the way from Philippines. You're my inspiration , " loyalty , humbleness ". You stayed to Mavs and never gave up. Unlike other player they transferred to other teams to get championship but you, You played the right way. I always use your signature move one legged fadeaway. MJ and Dirk is my basketball idols ❤️❤️❤️ hate LeBron mocked you when u had flu during finals. At the end you got the last laugh.
Tell me about it. Got teary eyed when Dirk went to the locker room. The horrible 2006 flashed before my eyes, and it disappeared when Dirk and the Mavs finally scaled that mountain.
