Dallas Mavericks minority owner Mark Cuban revealed that after the team’s defeat by the Miami Heat in the 2006 NBA Finals, Dirk Nowitzki dramatically changed his lifestyle, eliminating unhealthy foods and alcohol during the season. Cuban noted that Nowitzki’s commitment to preparation improved significantly after the loss, stating, “Dirk just became a different human in terms of preparation.”
In 2006, the Mavericks reached their first NBA Finals, with Nowitzki considered one of the league’s top players, having averaged 26.6 points and earning a third-place finish in MVP voting. The Mavericks initially seemed poised for victory, winning the first two games by large margins. Historically, teams with a 2-0 Finals lead have a strong chance of winning, but the Mavericks became one of the few to lose after such a start, losing the next four games. Nowitzki’s performance dipped during this stretch, as he shot only 39% from the field.
Despite this setback, Nowitzki eventually found success, leading the Mavericks to their first title in 2011, avenging their 2006 loss by defeating the Heat. This experience ultimately motivated him to improve as a player.
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