Dirk Nowitzki on LeBron James’ Heat Big 3: “We Were Really Fortunate That We Saw Them in Year One… They Were Way More Talented Than We Were at the Time”

Miami Heat formed one of the best rosters in the NBA history during the early 2010s. They signed two of the biggest stars in the league in LeBron James and Chris Bosh. James, Bosh, and Wade formed one of the best trios in the history of the game. However, despite a monstrous roster at their helm, they failed to win the championship in 2010-11.

Dirk Nowitzki was influential in bringing the NBA championship to Dallas in 2011. Everyone expected Miami Heat to win the championship that season. But they didn’t live up to the expectations and lost in the Finals.

In fact, Dallas Mavericks became just the 7th team to come back after being down in the series two or more separate times and win the Finals. Nowitzki was named the NBA Finals MVP as he averaged 26 PPG, more than what LeBron (17) averaged. That said, the former German baller has revealed that the Mavericks were fortunate to win the 2011 championship.

Dirk Nowitzki says Mavericks were fortunate, admits LeBron James’ Miami Heat were more talented

Former Mavs star Dirk Nowitzki has recently admitted in an interview that Dallas Mavericks were fortunate to face Miami Heat in year 1 of signing James and Bosh. He also added that Heat had a more talented roster at their helm.

“Well, I think we were a little fortunate. I think he just went to Miami at the time, and I don’t think they fully had all the roles defined, and I think everybody was still trying to find their way with [Chris] Bosh and [Dwyane] Wade and who scores when, who gets the ball at certain times of the game,” Nowitzki said in an interview with the NBA.

“I think we were really fortunate that we saw them in year one. I think we would all agree on this call that they were way more talented than we were at the time,” Nowitzki added.

This is really surprising, coming from Nowitzki, who deserved to win the championship with the Mavericks in 2011. But indeed, the Heat had a roster overhaul ahead of the season and it took some time for the newcomers to settle.

However, the Heat bounced back from the 2011 Finals loss and won back-to-back championships in 2012 and 2013. They even reached the 2014 Finals, their fourth straight Finals, but lost 4-1 to San Antonio Spurs. LeBron James opted out of the final year on his contract and returned to Cleveland Cavaliers.

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