![]() It is also notable as the only time the first round did not include any series sweeps. From 1984 to 2002, the first–round series were best–of–five. For the first time since 1974 that all series were conducted in a best–of–seven format.This postseason featured the most series decided by six games in NBA Playoff history (Ironically, the Spurs won every single playoff series in six games en route to the championship).The 2003 Playoffs were notable for several reasons. Tim Duncan was named NBA Finals MVP for the second time. The tournament concluded with the Western Conference champion San Antonio Spurs defeating the Eastern Conference champion New Jersey Nets, 4 games to 2, in the NBA Finals. He probably had one of the most uplifting careers, failing in the most epic way in 2006 and then winning one of the most iconic titles in 2011.The 2003 NBA playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 2002–03 season. Nowitzki was the lone star left in Dallas. He returned to Phoenix and formed another iconic team as a member of another Big 3 with Amar’e Stoudemire and Shawn Marion.įinley left in the next offseason, signing with San Antonio and winning two rings there. Nash had no choice but to sign with a team that actually wanted him. But Cuban admitted later on it was something he regretted doing. Cuban believed Nash-then turning 31-wouldn’t age well into his contract. Nash and Mavs owner Mark Cuban couldn’t agree on a contract extension in the 2004 offseason. ![]() Perhaps the most memorable and tragic thing about this Big 3 was their breakup. Similar to what the current Warriors did with their own Big 3. This trio also developed together as young players. Dallas was poised to make it to the finals but Nowitzki got injured midway through the series and eventually lost.īasketball-wise, I think this Big 3 was ahead of its time with their run-and-gun, heavy ball-screen offense with Nash and Nowitzki with Finley knocking down jumpers to spread the floor. ![]() That series against the San Antonio Spurs was one of the what-ifs of this Big 3. The Mavs had one of the best offenses that season and even made it all the way to the Western Conference Finals. Finley and Nowitzki were the 20-point scorers for the team and Steve Nash was the playmaker setting everyone up. This trio is the reason why the Mavericks achieved a 60-22 record in the 2002-2003 season. Nash found his voice in Don Nelson's free-wheeling offense. Dirk eventually bucked the convention of typical power forwards of that era. Though he never quite reached those lofty expectations, Finley was the perfect third option for Dallas.įrom 1998 to the early aughts, there were plenty of growing pains for the Mavericks. He was one of those anointed, along with Penny Hardaway and Grant Hill, for his explosive scoring and athleticism. He came into a league looking for its next Michael Jordan in 1995. Phoenix dealt him to the Mavs for a package that eventually yielded the pick that the Suns used to select Shawn Marion.įinley was the one many saw as a potential superstar. ![]() Nash had a couple of solid seasons in Phoenix but the Suns couldn’t see the sense in having him and Jason Kidd on the same roster. That is the now-iconic introductory press conference where Dallas not only presented Dirk to the local media but also Nash, who was their new point guard. Just watch this video of Dirk getting drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks and then traded to Dallas. At the time, scouting international players wasn’t where it is now so most teams and analysts didn't quite know what to make of the wiry kid from Germany. Dirk was the fascination of the 1998 NBA Draft – a German kid that had barely any hype behind him until an eye-opening showing at the Nike showcase in Europe. This trio, in reality, was a bunch of misfits. This is when I started becoming a fan of the Mavericks (Dirk to be specific).īut it wasn’t just in the video game that they were strong. He only used three players to score: Dirk Nowitzki, Michael Finley, and Steve Nash. Every time I would play with my big brother, I would always lose to the Dallas Mavericks. The first ever NBA video game I played was NBA Live 2003. ![]()
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