Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks in 2011 were electric. Winning their first NBA Finals title in franchise history, they accomplished the unthinkable, knocking off LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, and the Miami Heat in the first year of their “Big 3” era which saw them go to four straight NBA Finals.
James was growing into his dominance as the best player in the league, and paired with two other All-Star caliber players, it seemed as though Miami would be unstoppable, well on its way to the first title of the new era.