Dirk Nowitzki finally nabbed his first NBA championship. Not surprisingly, he was also named the MVP of the NBA finals for his heroic efforts that gifted Dallas Mavericks their first ever championship. Of the 21 points he scored in the final against Heat, most of them came at crucial times.
''Just the feeling to be on the best team of the world is just undescribable'' said a beaming Nowitzki after the final. Although Nowitzki had been named the MVP of the 2007 edition of the league as well, this one is undoubtedly the most special for him.
"If you're in this league for 13 years of just battling and playoffs the last 10 years, 11 years, and always coming up a little short, that's why this is extra special." Nowitzki's own words.
On Sunday, things did not begin as pretty as expected for the 7-foot player though. After the match, Nowitzki admitted that he felt it ''wierd'' to miss 15 of the first 19 shots that he would normally make on any other day. Naturally, he had come under the hammer for his performance in the first three quarters.
Maverick fans had to wait till the fourth quarter to witness him unleashing his prowess that defined the true champion that he is. He left behind the psychological burden of his disappointing performance in the early quarters, and came up trumps by scoring 10 of his 21 points in the final 12 minutes.
After the victory, Nowitzki rushed to embrace a comrade - Jason Terry. Five years back in 2006, Terry standing besides Nowitzki on the Mavericks' home turf after Heat defeated them, was a picture of dejection.
On Sunday, that image metamorphosed into a poster for vindication, if not sheer jubilation. It was befitting that Terry said after the match ''Tonight, we got vindication''.
Nowitzki was all praise for his teammate. ''Man, he kept coming all night long. He was phenominal''. Terry, who reportedly instilled fire in Nowitzki during the fourth quarter by reminding him of their 2006 downfall kept him going till the end. Terry had actually took it on himself after seeing a feverish Nowitzki uncharacteristically struggle during the first three quarters.
Great players usually rise to the occasion in big games, LeBron, where were you?
Friday, November 9, 2012 at 10:58AM 
