Posted Jun 13 2011 6:25AM
MIAMI (AP) -- Dirk Nowitzki has been named MVP of the NBA finals for his huge role in leading the Dallas Mavericks to their first championship.
Although Nowitzki struggled in the Game 6 clincher, he certainly put them in position to win it all, overcoming injury and illness to power fourth-quarter comebacks from deficits of 12, nine and four points in Dallas' previous wins.
The 2007 league MVP won Game 2 with a left-handed layup despite having torn a tendon in the tip of his left middle finger in Game 1.
He scored 10 of his 21 points in the final period of Game 4 despite playing with a 101-degree fever because of a sinus infection.
In Game 5, his driving dunk in the final minutes put Dallas ahead for good.
 | Postgame: Blake Griffin Blake Griffin talks about the disappointment of losing a big lead to the Spurs in Game 3. |
 | Postgame: Tony Parker Tony Parker talks about how the Spurs stayed calm after the first quarter and how it helped them through the rest of the game. |
 | Postgame: Tim Duncan Tim Duncan talks about why being calm is a great quality to have in certain playoff games. |
 | Postgame: Vinny Del Negro Vinny Del Negro talks about losing an early lead and what makes the Spurs such a special team. |
 | Spurs vs. Clippers: Game 3 The Clippers went ahead big early, but the Spurs put together a huge run to take the lead late and a commanding 3-0 series lead. |
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