It was 2011. The Dallas Mavericks had crushed the Heat, successfully recording their first championship victory. The loss was tragic for the Miami Heat. The Mavs had defeated the infamous Big 3 in their very first season. Little did the Big 3 know that they were up against a Maverick who was playing through actual animosity–especially for LeBron James and Dwyane Wade. 

This particular Maverick, “…hated LeBron [James], Dwyane [Wade],” admitted a former NBA champion recently. The Dallas MVP made playoffs history by averaging 9.9 points in the fourth quarter. He broke records as the first European NBA superstar. Who was this Maverick MVP, and did he really hate the Heat?

Did LeBron James and D. Wade go too far?

The notorious Big 3, comprising of LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade, are called so for a basketball-related reason. but during the 2011 NBA finals, two of them were caught on camera, allegedly poking fun at Dallas legend Dirk Nowitzki’s illness. The Heat’s dynamic duo, James and Wade, were seen coughing in an alleged attempt to ridicule Nowitzki.

This video clip was all the motivation that Nowitzki may have needed to sweep the Bulls. With a raging 100-degree fever, he brought in 29 big ones and sealed the win for the Mavericks. 

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The Maverik MVP took this to heart. Many, like JJ Barea, believe that his record performance in the 2011 NBA finals was because he wanted to get even with the Big 3. JJ Barea went on The Old Man and the Three podcast and admitted that Nowitzki, “…hated Miami. He hated LeBron, Wade and Bosh. He’s never gonna say that but he couldn’t stand them.”

Facing the Big 3 on the court during the 2011 NBA finals was personal for Nowitzki. His hatred was quite apparent during the game.

The off-court battle: Dirk vs. the Heatles

Dirk Nowitzki’s annoyance with the video clip was certainly valid. Dirk, during a post-game interview, said that, “…it was a little childish, a little ignorant. You know, I have been in this league for thirteen years and I have never faked an illness or an injury before.”

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However, Dirk also goes on to claim that the mocking was “over,” and it did nothing for him. Playing in the NBA finals was motivating enough. He was determined to crush the Heatles long before the unwarranted mocking. 

LeBron James and Wade, on the other hand, perceived this incident to be harmless fun. Wade opened up about the video to Sports Illustrated, saying, “The coughing incident was just being young. Taking something that you didn’t think was as serious…and making fun of something. Trying to get a laugh or do something to the camera.” Wade assures that the incident was all in good humor and the media blew it out of proportion.

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While LeBron James sustains his silence on the matter, Wade is convinced that the mocking was a silly joke. Meanwhile, Nowitzki has moved on from this incident. But it is interesting to speculate if this little joke cost the Heatles their 2011 NBA championship. What do you think?

Let us know in the comments!