Sneaker Watch: The Mavs Silence the Thunder

by | May 26, 2011 | All, Basketball | 8 comments

Dirk and company will return to the NBA Finals for the 2nd time in franchise history.Dirk and company will return to the NBA Finals for the 2nd time in franchise history.

words // Nick Engvall

The Dallas Mavericks came from behind for the second straight time, winning the Western Conference Title over the Oklahoma City Thunder. Dirk Nowitzki knocked down a second chance 3-pointer with just over a minute to go, putting the Mavs up for good. Nowitzki finished with 26 points, as did his teammate Shawn Marion, but the key to their win was defense, specifically Jason Kidd’s defense.

Kidd, who took on the tough assignment of Kevin Durant for most of the game, held the league’s leading scorer to just 23 points on 8-20 shooting. Russell Westbrook led all scorers with 31 points but it wasn’t enough to get passed the more experienced Mavericks team.

The Mavs seemed to have taken their 2006 NBA Finals experience to put away the Thunder, who made some crucial turnovers in the final minutes of Game 5.

Check out the latest Sneaker Watch coverage courtesy of ESPN.

Sneaker Watch: A look at what the pros wear.

James Harden gets stretched out pre-game in the Nike Zoom Hyperfuse.James Harden gets stretched out pre-game in the Nike Zoom Hyperfuse.

Shawn Marion was a surprising big contributor with 26 points in the Air Max Fly By.Shawn Marion was a surprising big contributor with 26 points in the Air Max Fly By.

Kendrick Perkins in the adidas Pro Model PE.Kendrick Perkins in the adidas Pro Model PE.

Kevin Durant dunks wearing the "Scoring Title" Zoom KD III.Kevin Durant dunks wearing the “Scoring Title” Zoom KD III.

DeShawn Stevenson drives to the hoop wearing the adidas adiPURE.DeShawn Stevenson drives to the hoop wearing the adidas adiPURE.

Russell Westbrook in the Zoom Hyperfuse, after getting called for a technical foul.Russell Westbrook in the Zoom Hyperfuse, after getting called for a technical foul as the Mavs celebrate.

Jason Terry in the Reebok Zig Slash.Jason Terry in the Reebok Zig Slash.

Kevin Durant with an emotional farewell to the Conference Finals in the Zoom KD III.Kevin Durant with an emotional farewell to the Conference Finals in the Zoom KD III.

Dirk Nowitzki celebrates hitting the go ahead 3-pointer in the Nike Hyperdunk 2010.Dirk Nowitzki celebrates hitting the go ahead 3-pointer in the Nike Hyperdunk 2010.

8 Comments

  1. Mike
    Mike on May 26, 2011 at 7:42 AM

    No player in the NBA deserves a championship more that Dirk. Hope he gets it….an no player deserves not to win more than Lebron.

  2. Atrain6
    Atrain6 on May 26, 2011 at 9:18 AM

    I think Dirk is a product of the SS.

  3. pauloveloso
    pauloveloso on May 26, 2011 at 9:51 AM

    Dirk is a BEAST. the mvp of the Finals when they win the more than deserved title

  4. AirBugzzy
    AirBugzzy on May 26, 2011 at 12:58 PM

    i hope leborn and wade walk all over the mavericks…

  5. J2D3
    J2D3 on May 27, 2011 at 9:35 AM

    Next season is Durants…

  6. Beazt
    Beazt on May 28, 2011 at 9:02 AM

    Whoever bad talked lebron should shut there mouth he is a beast on the court and he could bring down dirk one handed

  7. Beazt
    Beazt on May 28, 2011 at 9:57 AM

    oh and airbugzzy you dont have to hope for lebron and dwayne to walk all over the mavs because it will happen

  8. J.A.C
    J.A.C on May 28, 2011 at 7:32 PM

    i am so tired of yall lebron haters just cause he moved teams doesnt mean he isnt good