LeBron James Jealous: Wishes He Was Dirk

Anyone who watched the NBA Finals could not help but be impressed by the heart, determination and tremendous skill of MVP Dirk Nowitzki. 

I have never been a Dallas Mavericks fan, mainly because I find Mark Cuban so annoying.  I've always felt Cuban was more interested in his own personal publicity than in his team's success.

Dirk Was Literally Head-and-Shoulders Above the Heat

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MIAMI, FL - JUNE 12: Dirk Nowitzki #41 of the Dallas Mavericks attempts a shot against Joel Anthony #50 of the Miami Heat in the first quarter of Game Six of the 2011 NBA Finals at American Airlines Arena on June 12, 2011 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER:

Cuban finally shut up and let his team play, and look at the results.

An NBA championship and a lot of pride for the city of Dallas. 

This championship appropriately came against the Miami Heat, who the Mavs lost to in 2006.  And it was Dirk Nowitzki leading the way this time.

Nowitski Unstoppable

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DALLAS, TX - JUNE 09: Dirk Nowitzki #41 of the Dallas Mavericks dunks against Mike Miller #13 of the Miami Heat late in the fourth quarter in Game Five of the 2011 NBA Finals at American Airlines Center on June 9, 2011 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: Us

I was surprised at how much I pulled for Nowitzki and the Mavs. 

Initially, I was rooting against the Mavs making it to the finals. But after seeing how Nowitzki rose to the occasion in historic fashion, I couldn't help but cheer.

Dirk Dunks on the Heat

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DALLAS, TX - JUNE 09: Dirk Nowitzki #41 of the Dallas Mavericks dunks against Mike Miller #13 and LeBron James #6 of the Miami Heat late in the fourth quarter in Game Five of the 2011 NBA Finals at American Airlines Center on June 9, 2011 in Dallas, Texa

In truth, Dirk Nowitzki was far and away the best player on the court for either team.

He played as well as LeBron James and Dwyane Wade combined, and he also was classy off the court, while Wade and James acted like spoiled, whiny children.

LeBron and D-Wade Even Wish They Had the Flu Like Dirk

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MIAMI, FL - MAY 31: LeBron James #6 and Dwyane Wade #3 of the Miami Heat react in the fourth quarter before the Heat defeat the Dallas Mavericks 92-84 in Game One of the 2011 NBA Finals at American Airlines Arena on May 31, 2011 in Miami, Florida. NOTE T

Wade and James showed great immaturity in mocking Nowitzki's illness.  They look particularly foolish after being dominated by Dirk and eliminated on their home court. 

LeBron disappeared at crunch time in each game of the series, much like he has throughout his career, and so he is still without a ring.

Dirk Toys with the Heat Defense

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MIAMI, FL - JUNE 12: Dirk Nowitzki #41 of the Dallas Mavericks attempts a shot against the Dwyane Wade #3 of the Miami Heat in Game Six of the 2011 NBA Finals at American Airlines Arena on June 12, 2011 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly ack

Even before the season started, there were "experts" predicting the Heat would set records for victories en route to a certain championship. 

Neither happened, and after all the Heat hype, they weren't even able to force a seventh game.

Dirk looked like an adult playing basketball with a bunch of kids. The Heat had absolutely no answer for him.

Crunch Time Is Dirk Time

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MIAMI, FL - JUNE 12: Dirk Nowitzki #41 of the Dallas Mavericks reaches for a rebound against the Miami Heat in Game Six of the 2011 NBA Finals at American Airlines Arena on June 12, 2011 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and ag

The fourth quarter could have been renamed Nowitzki's quarter for how brilliantly Dirk played at crunch time. 

That was truly the difference in this series—Dirk stepped up when it mattered most.

Congrats to the Champs

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MIAMI, FL - JUNE 12: Dirk Nowitzki #41 of the Dallas Mavericks holds up the Bill Russell Finals MVP trophy after Bill Russell presented it to him following the Mavericks 105-95 win against the Miami Heat in Game Six of the 2011 NBA Finals at American Air

So, I have to say congratulations to the Mavericks and, unfortunately, to Mark Cuban as well.

Dirk Nowitzki was amazing, and the strong argument could be made that he is currently the best player in the entire NBA.