This is it! The Dallas Mavericks are finally at the NBA Finals for the first time in 13 years. The second time they got to the final leg of the postseason was the year the franchise got its first title. Headed by the 7-foot German giant, Dirk Nowitzki, the 2011 Mavs team, was special. You will find that no one would contest otherwise.

The 2010-11 season was among the most interesting years in the NBA. For one, Derrick Rose of the Bulls was named the MVP, and no one saw that coming. It was also when the ‘Chosen One’ took his talents to South Beach to join the elite gang of Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.

Moreover, the teams that moved forward in the playoffs all featured superstars that no one would have even thought of the Mavericks anywhere close to a championship, let alone smack in the middle. But that’s exactly what happened. So, who were the stars of the winning Mavs roster? Here’s a quick refresher list:

1. J.J. Barea
2. Rodrigue Beaubois
3. Corey Brewer
4. Caron Butler
5. Brian Cardinal
6. Tyson Chandler
7. Brendan Haywood
8. Dominique Jones
9. Jason Kidd
10. Ian Mahinmi
11. Shawn Marion
12. Dirk Nowitzki
13. DeShawn Stevenson
14. Peja Stojakovic
15. Jason Terry
16. Alexis Ajinça
17. Sasha Pavlović
18. Peja Stojaković

However, a team wouldn’t be complete without the head coach and the assistants who help and mentor them. Rick Carlisle was the head coach of the Mavs at the time, with Terry Stotts, Monte Mathis, Dwane Casey, and Darrell Armstrong as the assistant coaches. Now that we have all the pieces lined up, let’s take a look at their postseason journey.

The Dallas Mavericks and their playoff battles

Dallas started the battle going up against the sixth-seeded Portland TrailBlazers. They were just rising above all the injuries to their star player, Brandon Roy, and they had no plans of giving up just yet. Unfortunately, neither did the ‘Lone Star State’. Although the Blazers managed to clinch Games 3 and 4, the Mavs proceeded to win the next two, advancing to the Semifinals.

Now, this was surely going to be it. After all, it was the 2x defending champs led by none other than the ‘Black Mamba’. Shockingly, it was an easy-peasy series sweep. Dallas skimmed 4-0 through Kobe Bryant and the Lakers to face the OKC Thunder. Alright, that was definitely unexpected. But their Conference Finals opponents wouldn’t make things easy, would they?

The Thunder roster featured young stars in James Harden, Russell Westbrook, and Kevin Durant. That was one formidable trio, just not enough against a gritty and determined Mavs squad. They took care of business with a 4-1 record. Finally, they stood at the Finals. Their opponents were the Heat’s Big 3. Assembled in the summer before the start of the season, the players needed some time getting used to each other.

But they were lethal in every possible way. Game 1 saw Miami promptly finish with a 92-84 win. The ‘Big D’ hit back in Game 2, with the Heat once again taking the lead back in the next one. Keeping the crowd on the edge of their seats, the Mavs once again tied the series 2-2 in Game 4. And that was the end of Miami. Nowitzki and crew made short work of Miami in the next two rounds, effectively quashing all the hopes of LeBron and Heat fans.

Just like that, the Dallas Mavericks roster of 2011 took home the Larry O’Brien trophy. Part of the championship roster was Jason Kidd, the current HC of the Mavs. It would be an epic moment to see the same guy now lead his beloved Mavs to their second title. While the Celtics continue to be the championship favorites, no one is dismissing or underestimating the backcourt duo of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.

Will the Mavs be able to turn the tide in their favor this year? Let us know your thoughts below!