The 2006 NBA playoff matchup between the defending champs San Antonio Spurs and Dallas Mavericks will go down as one of the best series in NBA history.
After taking a 3-1 series lead, the Mavericks saw the Spurs charge back and force a thrilling game seven which ended in dismay for the Spurs and their fans.
San Antonio took the lead in the waning moments of the fourth thanks to Manu Ginobili. However, Manu then fouled Dirk Nowitzki which sent Dirk to the free-throw line, forcing overtime, and ending the Spurs reign as champs.
It’s a terrible memory for Spurs fans but not for Mavericks owner Mark Cuban.
Cuban was asked to list his favorite moments in the team’s road to an NBA title and coming in third on his list was the 2006 Spurs-Mavericks playoff series.
Beating the Spurs in 2006. Still, to this day, the most hard-fought series we have ever played in. Taking a 3-1 series lead. The Spurs fighting back and Dirk tying Game 7 on a last-second layup with a Manu Ginobili foul. The Mavericks took over in OT. It was like being in a heavyweight title bout.
Thanks for opening old wounds Mark!
No doubt it was a fantastic series . . . for Mavs fans. It was a heartbreaking series loss for San Antonio as the team missed out an a shot at finally defending their NBA crown.
But seeing how Cuban took a walk down memory lane, it would behoove us to remember what happend to Dallas in the 2006 Finals versus the Miami Heat. Spurs fans know all too well what happened to their main rival. Can you say “choke”?
Cuban also lists Dallas making the playoffs in his first full year as owner, and winning the 2011 NBA title as other favorite memories.
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