Hoops Habit
Fansided

The 10 greatest upsets in NBA playoff history

By Sravan Gannavarapu

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 04: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives on Ben Wallace #6 of the Detroit Pistons during the first half at the Staples Center on January 4, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 04: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives on Ben Wallace #6 of the Detroit Pistons during the first half at the Staples Center on January 4, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP via Getty Images)
Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP via Getty Images) /

No. 7: Dirk Nowitzki freezes LeBron and South Beach in 2011

Five years prior, thanks to hefty free throw shooting, Shaq, Dwayne Wade, and the Miami Heat celebrated in Dallas as NBA Champions. Fast forward to 2011, Wade saw LeBron James and Chris Bosh, and their friends travel down to join him and form a Super Team in South Beach. Meanwhile, across the league, the Lone Star state was building its own roster of veterans looking to make a statement as Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Terry, and the Dallas Mavericks represented the West.

After Miami took a 2-1 series lead, Nowitzki came down with the flu, and James and Wade mocked the German sensation. Big mistake. Dallas proceeded to blast the Heat into ice over the next three games, and James, dubbed “The Chosen One,” became the “Frozen One.” Nowitzki would win his only NBA title and give Dallas their first basketball title in franchise history.

Mark Cuban will forever cherish this victory, given what he endured in 2006. Dirk has used this as the final stamp on his resume for the Hall of Fame. Meanwhile, South Beach was left to wonder what could have been. Maybe LeBron should not have taunted Dirk. Who knows?