N.B.A. Finals - Mavericks Defeat Heat for First Championship
MIAMI — The thumping, bumping, smoke-filled revelry that began 49 weeks ago, sweeping up South Beach in championship fever and transforming the Miami Heat into the most polarizing force in sports, ended in stunned silence Sunday night, in the place where it all began.
The dancing and preening ceased. The audacity was gone.
The Dallas Mavericks, a team with fewer stars, less hype and more humility, stole the Heat’s swagger, then appropriated its arena for a championship party of their own.
Showcasing their depth and their steadiness, the Mavericks claimed a 105-95 victory, beating the Heat for the third straight game and clinching the title in six games.
I obviously underestimated the Dallas Mavericks at the start of this season, and I really didn’t envision a Mavs/Heat final, but it’s great to see the older, slower veteran team win it all. After 17 years in the league, J Kidd deserves this one, as do the rest of the Mavs. Congrats to the 2011 NBA Champs!