- Dirk Nowitzki is one of the greatest power forwards in NBA history
- The lowest point of his incredible career was when the Mavericks lost to the Warriors in the 2007 playoffs
- Dirk admits he was embarrassed and disappointed after it
Dirk Nowitzki will deservedly be inducted into the Hall of Fame later this week, thanks to an amazing 21-year NBA career full of incredible highs. There were some depressing lows as well, however, with the worst of the lot probably being the first-round playoff series against the Golden State Warriors in 2007.
Dirk had led the Dallas Mavericks to an NBA-best 67-15 record, and it looked like they were headed back to the NBA Finals, having gotten there in 2006. Unfortunately for the German, he struggled massively as the 42-40 Warriors beat the Mavs in six games. Nowitzki recently shared just how disappointed he was after that humiliating exit.
“And then losing in the first round in ’07 to the Warriors, those were some tough, tough losses,” Nowitzki said, via Steve Aschburner of NBA.com. “Gut-wrenching, to the point where I was embarrassed and disappointed and didn’t want to leave the house for a couple weeks.”
Dirk had just had a great regular season, with averages of 24.6 points, 8.9 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 0.7 steals, and 0.8 blocks per game. In the series against the Warriors, however, he averaged 19.7 points, 11.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.8 steals, and 1.3 blocks per game.
Facing elimination in Game 6, Nowitzki could only put up 8 points on 2-13 shooting, as the Mavs lost 111-86. What made matters worse was that not long after, Dirk had to attend a press conference, as it was announced he had won MVP after that series. Nowitzki stated earlier this year that it was embarrassing for him, but fortunately, he can now look back at the trophy fondly.
The 2011 Playoffs Changed Everything For Dirk Nowitzki
Things did not get better immediately for Dirk after the 2007 playoffs. He’d only manage to win one playoff series in the next three seasons, but everything changed in the 2011 postseason.
Dirk led the Mavericks to one of the greatest postseason runs in NBA history in 2011. In the first round, they eliminated the Portland Trail Blazers, and they then swept the Kobe Bryant-led Los Angeles Lakers in the Conference Semifinals. After knocking out the two-time defending champions, Dirk and the Mavs then beat the rising Oklahoma City Thunder in five games to set up a clash with the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals.
The Mavericks were massive underdogs, but led by Dirk, they stunned the basketball world by beating the Big 3 of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh in six games. Nowitzki won Finals MVP with averages of 26.0 points, 9.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 0.7 steals, and 0.7 blocks.
Beating the Heat made it just a bit more special, as it was Miami who had beaten him and the Mavs in the 2006 Finals. He got some revenge and cemented his status as one of the all-time greats.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3A1kAqYgXv8
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