Legacies are always at stake during the NBA Finals. The way in which the players will be remembered is constantly fluctuating as momentum swings between the two teams, making it one of the most compelling sporting series in the world. Never was this more true than the 2011 Finals, LeBron James' first with his new Miami Heat squad, as well as being touted as the last chance for old hands Jason Kidd and Dirk Nowitzki to snatch their first championship rings. Oh, and Jason Terry was so confident of a Dallas win, he got a tattoo of the Larry O'Brien trophy. Before the start of the regular season. Another contributing factor to this series' entertainment factor was the issue both teams had with one another. James and DeShawn Stevenson had a vicious pre-existing rivalry from the old Cavaliers vs Wizards days, while LeBron and Wade seemed to mock Dirk Nowitzki for falling ill before one game. Game 2 saw a premature celebration from the Heat spark a 15-point comeback, tying up the series for the Mavericks and giving them a surge of momentum and intensity which they'd never relinquish. After winning Game 6 on the Heat's own floor, Finals MVP Nowitzki momentarily ran to the locker room to hide his tears of joy and compose himself. LeBron, meanwhile, would have to suffer an agonising further wait for his elusive championship ring.
