Avery Johnson after Dirk missed the last shot and lost the game 6 against SAS in 2006
" If you are ever in that situation again, fake it. And drive left and get downhill, put your head down, and because you're Dirk, we'll get the benefit of doubt sometimes with the whistle."
"That's how we tried to evolve his game."
They went on to win game 7 against the spurs but they couldn't win the championship in that year.
Irk Nowitzki took a while to win his championship because the Dallas Mavericks often fell short in the playoffs due to tough competition, defensive criticisms, and sometimes lacking that final piece, but in 2011, he finally got it right with a balanced team, great coaching, and overcoming legendary rosters like the Lakers and Miami Heat's "Big Three" in a legendary, challenging run.
1. Key Factors in His Journey
Early Struggles & Criticism: In his early years, Dirk faced criticism for his defense and perceived lack of playoff toughness as the team struggled, with hecklers even calling him "Irk".
2. Stronger Supporting Casts: The Mavericks consistently built good teams, but often ran into powerhouse squads led by future Hall of Famers like Kobe Bryant's Lakers, Tim Duncan's Spurs, and Steve Nash's Suns.
3. The 2011 Breakthrough:
(1) Team-riented Play: The 2011 team wasn't just about Irk; it featured incredible ball movement, deep shooting (Jason Terry, J.J. Barea, Peja Stojaković), and crucial defense from Tyson Chandler and Shawn Marion.
(2) Tough Path: His playoff run included defeating the defending champion Lakers, the OKC Thunder's "Big Three" (Durant, Westbrook, Harden), and finally the Miami Heat superteam (LeBron, Wade, Bosh).
(3) Coaching & Strategy: Coach Rick Carlisle and his staff implemented brilliant game plans, especially against LeBron James in the Finals.
(4) Overcoming Doubts: Irk's clutch performance, even when shooting poorly early in games (like Game 1 of the Finals), dispelled doubts about his ability to lead a team to a title.
