2011 NBA Finals MVP
In the maelstrom of Reality TV and surreal comments that is the saga of the July 2010 Champions, the Eastern Conference Champions Miami Heat, we are doing a disservice to the true NBA Champions and one man in particular…Dirk Nowitzki.When subtly comparing and contrasting stars and teams, Chris Bosh made a profound inference. And if one reads between the lines, you know to whom he was really speaking: “There’s nothing extra. There’s nothing super. He [Nowitzki] was just himself. And in these situations, I think when you’re yourself and you play your basketball, the best thing always happen.”
“He’s worked very hard, for a very long time and he deserves it. I think we can take a page out of their book and really just pay attention to peoples’ work ethic and how much time they put into the game. Obviously, what we did wasn’t enough.”
When the clock struck triple zeros and the horn sounded, and the Dallas Mavericks officially became 2011 NBA Champions, Dirk bolted for the locker room. He didn’t join the growing group of elated celebrants at mid court…the team, coaches, cameras, and Dallas fans who had invaded American Airlines Arena as if it was the one in downtown Dallas. He was overcome by emotion and tears, and wanted those moments to himself.
The Finals MVP had to be coaxed to take his bow…to even accept his award. Dirk was humble and showed a measure of deference to his team and supporting cast. The pinnacle of Dirk’s career, the culmination of all the millions of shots, countless hours, the ridicule of millions calling him soft, even more questioning his heart. Dirk Nowitzki accepted all that from the basketball world and media, and in contrast to another gentleman at another press related event, he didn’t respond with a defiant, childish, brash, disrespectful F**K YOU, or even a “I Told You So”…or an HBC: “Y’all Musta Forgot”. He merely accepted his station in history as a champion with humility and grace.
Dirk doesn’t seem to do much in the endorsement and advertising arena. No huge sneaker contracts, no beverage deals, no shameless self promotion (shout outs to Chad and Evelyn Ochocinco). He doesn’t want to be the billionaire baller. There is no Nowitzki Brand, but now, there is a Nowitzki NBA Champion.
Here is the man that committed himself, along with his owner Mark Cuban to making the Mavericks a relevant franchise. After decades of obscurity and laughing stock material, the Dallas Mavericks and Dirk Nowitzki “took their talents to South Beach!”
Bradley “B. Austin” Anderson of The War Room, for War Room Sports
Tags: All's Fair in Sports and War, American Airlines Arena, American Airlines Center, B. Austin, Bradley Anderson, Chris Bosh, Dallas Mavericks, Dirk Nowitzki, Finals MVP, Mark Cuban, Miami Heat, NBA Champions, NBA Finals, Taking My Talents to South Beach, The War Room, War Room Sports
Very well said. Kudos