Chuck Deuces you’d be lying to yourself if you don’t admit that many people among fans, media, and former athletes didn’t give Dirk the credit he deserved UNTIL he got his 2011 ring. Despite the fact that he basically has been balling out ever since his sophomore year in the NBA. EVEN now people casually refer to the 2011 Finals as the Heat choking. No the Heat didn’t choke, the Mavs bent them over and gave them the business.
Wesley D he deserves credit but there are a lot more superstars out there that are still better so you cant look over kd, lebron, duncan, fordan, bryant, malone, and shaq. You know who dont really get credit is wilt.
Dirk turned down a $97M contract with the Lakers cuz he didn't want to leave the Mavs even tho he was paid less than 60% what was offered by LA... at $25M I think?? It shows what kind of athlete he is. Man.... LEGEND.
It's true though. Here from frobes www.forbes.com/sites/jimpagels/2014/07/16/dirk-nowitzki-passes-up-most-money-in-nba-history/#5b14986b3702 "Nowitzki had max contract offers from the Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Lakers of $97 million over four years but was reportedly never interested in any offers outside Dallas. Instead, the 12-time All-Star voluntarily took a 65 percent pay cut, leaving over $72 million on the table."
Lucas Coelho 2006 should have been his yr but loss to MIA👎🏻. I think 2007 would also been Dirk yr because they were #1 seed & got manhandled by Warriors😞. Dirk would have at least 2 or 3 rings
2003, 2006, 2007 and 2015 could've been others, if not for Dirk's injury, bad refs, a former coach, and the Rondo trade ruining their chances respectively. I'm thankful for the one though, the opinion of Dirk changed across the league from it.
Guys with multiple championships in the last 30 years, Kobe, LeBron, Dwade, Curry, Shaq, Duncan, Hakeem, back to back winners ( LeBron, Jordan, Shaq,Kobe). so basically you have to have 1-5 best players in the league playing with you to win multiple titles and you have to hope the other 1-5 players don't have help. 1-10 best players you can also win multiple titles. maybe the mavs only had 1-20 best players which gets you 1 title thats good enough. GSW they have 1-5. 2 of them which is annoying Durant/Curry.
I wish the Bucks werent so stupid and kept him instead of trading for 'tractor' taylor....yuuuge mistake. But that was before Euro players fully proved themselves
Dirk beat kobe, garnett, Duncan, LeBron in their primes with no other superstars. Terry made a lot of big shots during his Dallas tenure hes one of the top five 6th men of all time
Tha Ruthless 1_ AZF Dirk destroyed kg everytime they faced each other, Dirk averaged 38 17 in the 2002 players against him and had 2 game winners on him in Boston
Duncan wasn't in his prime in 2006. Duncan was in his prime in 2003 and he demolished Dirk and the mavericks that year enroute to an mvp, finals mvp and NBA championship.
The Mavs were good but they just needed another star but they solved it with depth, Terry was a top 20 player borderline all star level, a lot of border line all stars which is good, to win multiple titles you need 2 of the top 10, or 2 of the or 1 of the top 5 and 2 top 20 to help him. GSW have 2 of the top 5, 4 top 20 players. basically the Spurs always had a top 5 player and 2 top 20 players to help them. top 5 spurs Duncan/Kawii, top 20 spurs to help Ginobli/parker/Aldridge. 4 all star level players or 1 super star and 2 all star level players.
@@jesussaldana4558 You left out Sacramento too. They were beasts in the early 2000s with Webber and Divac and the cast they had. There was alot of great basketball in the west those years.
Clippers and spurs 2015 was an amazing series. No fighting good officiating and damn straight beautiful basketball. Both teams respected each other and gave much love when it was said and done, wish more series were like that.
If Ginobli made that floater off the glass, the Spurs may have gone on to win another championship. They probably would have beaten the Heat in the finals. But you are right, we never here about this series and its one of the greatest in history
Not mentioned in this video: Memphis (5) and Los Angeles Clippers (6) were tanking for the 6th seed because both teams wanted to face Denver in the first round. So Memphis got screwed by finishing in 5th and got crushed by Dallas, whereas Los Angeles got matched against one of the softest 3-seeds in NBA history and won. In some sense, the embarrassing second-to-last game of the season between LAC and MEM was just as big a reason to change the playoff rules than the SAS/DAL series. If you think tanking is bad now, just imagine how bad it is when playoff teams are trying to drop in the standings to get an easier first-round matchup.
I tried to find a video showing what you describe. All I found was this article. www.grizzlybearblues.com/2015/4/16/8429537/the-spectre-of-2006-the-grizzlies-sweet-revenge-against-the-clippers
@@LittleBenjaminNeocon183 read the article Montaz Meah II posted. Under most circumstances, the six seed would try to win that late season matchup to get better playoff positioning. However, both teams' key players had "injuries" that game. The NBA knew something was going to happen, so they warned both teams ahead of time.
@@LittleBenjaminNeocon183 just that one game against the Clippers. At that point, the Grizzlies were 0-8 in their playoff history, and limped into the playoffs both times. They wanted to get on a roll headed into the playoffs. But let's cut straight to the point: if the winner of that game got the Nuggets, and the loser of that game got the Spurs, there is no way those key players are "injured" coming into that game. Both teams would have treated it as a playoff game.
That was a great series in what was arguably the best NBA playoffs since Jordan. Texas rivals, Dirk and Duncan at their peak, Cubans comment on Finley, Dirks and-1 to tie game 7. Dallas grew up in that series, and while they did get hosed in that years finals against Miami, they were able to get revenge 5 years later against a much better Heat squad.
I remember watching this when I was 14. I was a die hard Mavs fan. And I cried when SA won Game 6. Every year I seen Dallas lose to the Spurs in the playoffs. But when Dirk got the and 1 layup on Ginobli and Bowen, my faith was solitified as a Mav fan for life. Greatest 2nd round series ever. 100% agree. I remember the whole series like it was yesterday. I watched every second of it like it was my h.w.
That Dirk Mavs run in 2011 reminds me of the Dream's Rockets when they won the championship as a 6th seed, and Dream dismantled NBA MVP David Robinson.
Yeah, the officiating was EXTREMELY questionable in the '06 finals. Wade was made over 20 points in several games from JUST foul shots, and Cuban even threatened to hire a PI. I think some of those refs haven't done a game since, but that may be just a rumor.
I feel like people always react this way when a certain era or team is no longer there. I miss the 2010-2014 heat and the 2008-2010 lakers, etc.. and in 15 years probably gonna miss this era too.
I agree. It's like every single team during that time has a chance of winning the finals. Heck, even the Pistons with no actual star won a ring. Good times.
About game 7: the Spurs looked like they were going to win in regulation, but Manu committed a really foolish foul on one of Dirk's drives to the basket, giving Dirk an and-1 that allowed him to tie the game. If Manu let Dirk go by, maybe the Spurs win in regulation.
Such a bullshit officiating job for that series. Which just so happened to be the deciding factor in what I feel was truly my Spurs' opportunity three-peat. It sure would have solidified them as Great and dominating dynasty along with the Celtics, Lakers & Bulls; if they had captured the 05', 06' & 07' NBA titles. Wow....sure would've been nice!!! Oh well. GO SPURS GO!!!
The 2014 Spurs if not the greatest one of the best NBA team that every basketball enthusiasts had seen. They dominated teams in playoffs and the Miami Heat with prime LeBron, Bosh and Wade in the finals. One team almost pushed the squad on the brink of first round elimination though, the 8th seeded Dallas Mavericks. The following season, CP3's Clippers eliminated the champs in the first round of playoffs in a nail biting 7 series. The rest was history afterwards as San Antonio had to depart to its key players including Gary Neal and Tiago Splitter to acquire LaMarcus Aldridge.
Mike Morada True I believe that the Warriors or Cavaliers from the past 3 yrs could not beat those Spurs, and Gary Neal was traded after the 2013 finals and I believe Boris Diaw and Marco Belinelli were traded along w Tiago Splliter but Lamarcus signed w the Spurs as a free agent.
Man that era was so great and loved growing up during that time here in San Antonio. So many close games throughout our big threes time. Every nba season was a great one since we never missed the playoffs and rarely lost in the first round.
+ThaRuthless1_AZF The ONLY reason the Warriors won that series, is because of Don Nelson. He was the coach of the Mavs before the Warriors. He knew the Mavs' system and used it as an advantage with the Warriors. If it wasn't for him, the ''We Believe'' Warriors crap would never exist.
I think the Western Conference semifinals in 2011 were insane for the opposite reason as this series. No one expected a sweep, and that was crazy to watch.
Please do a video about Manute Bol's real age! Last year there were reports coming out that he was MUCH older than everyone thought. It's worth taking a look at.
Great video! The NBA should be featuring important playoff series like this, or maybe even one game that stands out or is really marks as one important part of its history.. not only about finals, or championshiop teams or individual glories.. Thanks for this man!
One thing you surprisingly didn't mention- in game 7, the Mavs had and nearly blew a 20-point lead. Manu hit a go-ahead 3 to put them up 3 on the verge of a 3-1 blown series lead before Dirk hit a clutch and-1. Not just a great series, but a potential catastrophe was averted.
That is not the only time that Big Shot Rob for us Laker Fans or Big Shot Bob to Spurs fans that he missed big time shot. In fact he missed also a crucial big time shot in Game 5 of the second round of the playoffs in 2003 against the Spurs with the three-time defending champion, Lakers.
Awesome video. I’ll be honest, I’m a die hard MAVS fan and I remember being in 11th grade watching this classic series. Everything you narrated was 100% accurate and it brought a sense of nostalgia. Kudos to you homie 🤟🏼✊🏻. #MFFL
Amazing series, it was my favorite one ever until 2011. Epic rivalry battle. You should've shown Dirk's series-winning and-one drive though. It was incredible how the ball hung on the rim.
Man I remember the 2006 playoffs like it was yesterday. I was like 13 and a huge Mavs fan my whole life. After that finals I legitimately stopped watching basketball altogether for like three years lol
Of all time means for their career, including - but not restricted to - their prime. For their career I agree with Dirk being 2nd but I understand there's an argument for all of them. To me leadership, confidence without having a big ego, being clutch and winning probably the most unlikely championship of all-time 100% outweighs Malone's accomplishments. Barkley is closer but couldn't do what Dirk did, KG is the closest to me but loses in my book 'cause Dirk was better head-to-head and the way he won his ring is so much superior to anybody else. It's just personal opinion but for me you need 3 rings or more like Duncan to get the nod over Dirk, that championship run is unmatched, at least by all-time great power forwards.
PF has so many great players but none really stand out to me other than Duncan at #1. You could make a case for Dirk, Barkley, K.Malone, Moses Malone, Garnett, any of em
jdmnsxr 6 no I wouldn’t you know why cuz dirks shot in unguardable. Also non of them were ever great enough to finish their career with 30k points and I don’t even like dirk cuz I’m a heat fan. But greatness has to be respected. Dirk and Duncan are the two most complete PFs of all time
@@blackjack8556 i will give dirk the best offensive power forward and shooter, but his defensive skill really drag him down a bit. If he can defend and rebound better, i think he surpasses duncan, but to me duncan is the best all round. Garnet seems underweight to defend traditional center.
Even in 2015 when Portland got the #4 seed, Memphis at #5 seed actually got home court advantage due to having a better record. I am glad that rule got taken out though
if you remember watching that series, or maybe you are too young idk, the Spurs were down 3-2 on the road in Dallas, and Manu Ginobili carried there ass with 30 points 10 rebounds, and then before he fouled Dirk he hit the clutch game tying 3 in game 7. Thats what makes Manu great his competitiveness and will to win drives him to take risks, and it works for him most of the time and he does great things, but you also have to live with it when it doesnt. that being said without Manu Ginobili there would have been no game 7 in the first place, its not Manu's fault.
BucketsBasketball I see what you’re saying, and I agree with you. By the way, I did watch that series. He was amazing, but that foul was so bad and unnecessary. It swung the momentum and the Spurs couldn’t recover. Manu is a legend, but sometimes he did things that really hurt the team. That foul was one of them, and the insane number of turnovers he had in the 2013 Finals were bad, too. Yes, he’s the reason there was a game 7 in 2006. But that doesn’t mean his mistakes can’t be pointed out
Barkley and Malone were nice too, but when it comes to legacy, look at what Dirk & Duncan have under their belts. If I had to rank PFs it would be: 1. Duncan 2. Dirk 3. Malone 4. KG 5. Barkley
NBA suspending Terry Crew was to extend the series to 7. The same reason NBA suspended Draymond green in '16.. You can see how much Stern hated Cuban. '06 belongs with NBAs rigged finals
MixMachine HD No need, draft or sign a defensive C and have Dirk come off the bench for instant buckets he’s 40 he doesn’t need to waste his last bit of energy getting dunked on all game
I'm gonna say this with the right heart: This was the greatest NBA playoff series I have ever seen. And, not counting a few cases (e.g. 2016 Finals), it's not even close. Just ONE blowout in 7 games, FIVE games ending with gaps of 5 points or less, overtimes in Games 4 & 7 and Nowitzki and Duncan being otherworldly. Just for reference, in Game 7 ALONE, they combined for 78 points (41 for Duncan; 37 for Dirk), 30 rebounds (15 each) and their shooting percentages were both sky high (Duncan had 55%; Dirk had 50%). And they didn't even need to stack superstars via Free Agency... It was a time to be alive.
the 2013 spurs warriors series is a good one too curry's first trip to the playoffs, kawhi's second (en route to the nba finals) in their first playoff matchup, the warriors would go 2-2 before losing in 6
very underrated classic series nobody talks about, the classic moments in game 7 you didn't even mention, late 4th tie game Ginobili with the three, then Ginobili with bone head foul on Dirk for the and one.....classic moments
As a spurs fan I vividly remember this series.... The entire time I was hoping that Dirk would sprain his ankle or something. But damn I remember that game 7 being close. Oh well.
Jake Henry when i said "i hope he sprains an ankle", i didn't actually hope for that. That would be fucked up. I just wanted the spurs to win. I don't actually hope anyone gets injured. However, I'd like to see Draymond get kicked in the nuts by Steven Adams.
Ah...Gotcha. So hoping people get injured or hurt is ok as long as the reason DOESN'T have to do with sports. Yeah, bro, you the authority on who's classy or not.
As great as Duncan is, he's so incredibly underrated. He completely changed the culture in SA. They were a great regular season team every year, but he set them over the edge and made them a legit contender every single year. Consistency at it's best. Titles in 3 separate decades for the Big fundamental. Impressive.
Saying the 2006 NBA Finals was rigged is the only straw Dirk/Dallas fans have to grasp, because there was NO reason Dallas shouldn't have won the title, as Dallas was quite CLEARLY the better team. This was a much worser upset than the Lakers-Pistons of '04, and the '06 Mavs were heads-and-shoulders better than the '11 team that won it all against better overall competition
Dallas in 2006 was far and away the 2nd best team in the Western Conference with them being clear favorites in all but one series w/ Nowitzki receiving strong MVP consideration; the same cannot be said of the '11 campaign. The Mavs in 2011 weren't even clear favorites against a Portland team w/ a literally-hobbled Brandon Roy and franchise player Greg Oden forever on injured reserve. I think they were only clear favorites against OKC
I remember watching this video a long time ago and actually didn't hit the like button yet at the time because I didn't know how important that was. Well this is inspiring a video I'm about to make. On why the MLB should change their playoff format and use this series as an example.
@1:50 I could never forget that layup shot, Dirk played unbelievable! This series solidified his greatness, Spurs main players were all in their prime too.
Man, great educational video, thanks very much. I remember that series, was amazing. But I remember also that I asked myself why those teams are playing in the second round, and now you teach me the reason in this video. Great video man. Sorry for my english.
I believe the most underrated series ever was Barkleys Sun's vs Olajuwan's Rockets in the 90s. It blows my mind how Phoenix blew both series against Houston despite being up 3-1 twice!!!
Game 7 was the first sports game I’ve ever been to. I was only 8 and didn’t even watch basketball. Rooted for the home crowd because my family was rooting for the Spurs and I just wanted to cheer. Then some 7 foot German dude comes in and drops 37/13 with the game winning play. I’ve been a Mavericks fan ever since.
That Dirk driving inside and getting the ball roll is just golden history! I've been a Mavs fan since the Finley Era and can't believed that Mavs has beaten Spurs here and went on in the Finals to face Wade "Mr.Freethrow" and the Miami heat!
J _38 wade was the most dominant and best player in the whole series. 95% of his calls atleast were legit. go look at the tape no one could stop him from getting to the rim at will.
It's interesting to note that Duncan did all of that while playing with plantar fasciitis. This series was the best I ever saw in my roughly 17 years of watching basketball and arguably the best NBA playoff series ever. This series doesn't get enough talk, I feel like even the Bulls-Celts matchup of 2009 gets more...
Did not give game 7 the attention it needed. Mavs were up big throughout the entire game. But you just knew the Spurs were going to mount a comeback. And they did. As a Mavericks fan, we’d been bullied by the spurs year after year. To be up 3-1, then 3-3. Then up big in game 7 with the Spurs about to win was devastating. No one thought the Mavs were going to pull it out.
KCJ hey dude Golden state warriors 2018 nba champion.back to back.....warriors.are strong in playoffs better offence better defence.....high killer instict.....high team mentality.....warriors big ,4 is focus on winning high elite mentality
As Mavs fan that Game 7 has to be one of my top three games ever following them. What a great game...and not just because they won. It was a classic. Btw your voice reminds me of Pablo Torre.
well, we kind were! I mean it was nash, Marion, lb with little to no interior presence. Back in those days, you needed an inside presence in order to win. It was a weird tranistion between the three's being used more and the lessening on the importance on getting into the big guy and let him do something.
Man, great great content. Excellent video as always. I SO wish someone would do a video on the epic Pacers/Nets first round matchup in 2002. It was a beauty.
Bruce Bowen has got to be the only player in history to ever block Dirk's signature shot from behind like that. Literally the only way to block it and he somehow did it. Something else that gets lost in the skuttlebutt. This whole video brought back so many memories of that stressful 2 week period watching these teams just slug it out (Terry literally, lol). Too bad the Mavs got hosed in the finals :(
Oh man I totally forgot about this series and I'm from Tx. I was on vacation in San Antonio at the time. It was crazy, I know the city was shut down when the game was on, I bet the whole state was. Awesome series. GO SPURS.
Dampier was an offensive liability. Even though Diop was not any better, his wingspan and agility helped us mavs fans enjoy the win. It is so cool that Dampier left for the heat when we met them at the finals and we beat em good even with Lebron, Dwayne and Cris on the floor.
They keep divisions for Scheduling purposes. You play in your division more often. It helps create Rivalries that are within a relatively short commute.
