That’s about the only word I can use to describe what the last 30 days have been like.
Professional sports is an incredibly humbling business. No team wins every year. Many teams have never won. Far more often than not there is the game/series that got away from you that ended the season with a loss. Not this year. Tremendous.
For me, the entire season came down to the last 90 seconds of Game 6. Our clinching game. I can’t even begin to tell you all the emotions I experienced in the course of those 90 seconds.
You see, I refused to let myself think we were going to win. I refused to get ahead of the game. Too many times I had seen games get away from our team. Too many times I had seen our team snatch away what the other side thought was a sure win. We had come from way behind to win games in every series in this playoff run. If we could do it to them, they could do it to us. In my mind, if I even began to think that a win was a certainty, I would jinx us.
It wasn’t until there were about 90 seconds left in Game 6 that I let myself accept that we were going to be World Champs. In the video below, you can see me screaming. That’s me letting out 8 months of stress. That’s me releasing every doubt I had. Every dumbass superstition I had. That’s me transitioning from “I know we can, I hope we can” to “We are the Champions” It’s me feeling joy for every guy wearing a Mavs uniform and every Mavs fan around the world that had to be feeling just as happy as I was.
The picture below is me trying to get my composure at least a little bit and thinking about what comes next. I don’t think I heard a word that Coach Casey said.
Closing seconds of Game 6 NBA Finals 2011
Thirty days later, it’s still surreal. I’m still thrilled for every guy who put his blood sweat and tears on to the court. I’m also happy for every player who was a positive part of the Mavs since I bought the team. We have a culture at the Mavs that I’m very proud of. It took a lot of experiences that taught our players, coaches, staff and even fans and prepared us and motivated our guys.
In these last 30 days there have been surprises as well.
The first is just how many people around the country were rooting for us. As I travel around the country the response and support is far beyond anything I have experienced. People are genuinely pleased that the Mavs won. I got off a plane in NY a couple days after we won and people at the terminal all just stood up and started clapping. In NY !
The second and still the most amazing to me is how Dallas Ft Worth and all of North Texas is responding to the Mavs. I expect people to come up and congratulate me. But that isnt what is happening. Instead, people are thanking me. Thanking me for the unity and camaraderie everyone in the region felt as EVERYONE got behind the Mavs and cheered us on to a championship. Thanking me for the closeness people felt for each other as everyone cheered on the Mavs.
This wasn’t my team. This wasn’t the player’s team. This was OUR team. Our family. Our friends. Our company’s. Our city’s. The Dallas Mavericks belonged to all of us and brought joy to all of us.
To be part of something so special is Tremendous.
Pingback: eye catchers 006. | dj lissa monet OFFICIAL blog
So I went to casino tonight and won 500 playing poker 1-2. I can’t be beat Mr.Cuban. I should of made 700 but the guy rivered me. I had JJ’s vs AJ and he goes all in on flop and rivers the ace with a 6 outer. unbelievable. My game is very good.
I had a straight flush to the king of hearts.and my best hand 350 pot had deuces the flop 277. I let the guy turn a flush and trap him and then he goes all in.
I would like to meet you Mark. Do you like the UFC? Let’s go watch Chael Sonnen my favorite UFC fighter. You can make it happen. I will bring your winning Cohiba’s .
Whitewoody
whitewoody777@hotmail.com
902-462-2321
WHITEWOODY
Comment by whitewoody -
I had a tough time in Alberta, got robbed from the towing station and lost all my valuables. Those scumbags stole everything.
I played poker in all the casino’s in Alberta. But since I’ve been home I have found a new way at poker. I just follow statistics and my instincts.
I have been winning regularly here. I want to play in Las Vegas that is my dream.
I can’t lose in poker last night I only made 100 but i should of made 300. Just a couple lapses. I keep learning new tricks.
Could you meet with me in Las Vegas. Lets play some poker.
Mark Farwell
Comment by whitewoody -
I have been waiting for you to finally write in your blog and hoping it would be about the mavericks.Congrats on the win. you deserve it.
I have been winning at poker regularly at the casino now. It’s become my job. Taking other people’s money. this is the hardest place in canada because there are so many regulars but i am making a good living just playing 1-2 blinds. I am like a detective trying to figure out someone’s hand. I could be even better in las vegas with all the tourists.
Please give me a chance Mr. Cuban let me meet you. Your my hero and I want to give you a box a Cohiba’s for your victory.
WHITEWOODY
WINNING
Comment by whitewoody -
The Mavericks’ championship demonstrates that we all should Never Give Up!! It was a GREAT Win and I was inspired to write an article about the attributes that the team displayed.
It is entitled “NEVER GIVE UP!!! Seven Secrets to Creating More Success in Your Life.”
Congrats on your Championship! For you and the Mavs.
https://www.doctorbragg.com/NBA.html
Comment by doctorbragg -
Great win, well done.
Comment by g4r3th -
It has been a fantastic summer for a Mavs fan! As far as I know, I am the only Mavs fan in my country so I followed the whole playoffs more or less alone. Since my Norway is six hours before the US, it meant staying up till six-seven in the morning, but the reward made it all worth while! Thank you so much, Mark, for believing in the Mavs with the rest of us, adding vital pieces to the team which eventually made us able to win the title. You are amazing!
This last weekend my country was shocked with a gruesome bombing and shooting massacre, a slaughtering of young people at a childrens summer camp outside of our capital. It is hard to come to grips with, but we will eventually. Please give us your thoughts and prayers.
Best wishes
Mathias
Oslo, Norway.
Comment by mathias85 -
http://www.dallasnews.com/business/autos-latest-news/20110723-hail-rattled-inventor-to-action.ece
Here is the Dallas Morning News article, Mark. 800 unique visitors per month to our website. 1100 total visits per month. 350 youtube views in 3 weeks. 84 followers on twitter including Chrysler, Dodge, USAA, American Family Insurance, Progressive Insurance, etc…in one months time. Tell me I’m not persistent and resourceful.
It’s starting to seem like Shark Tank season 3 is going to pass on our video submission for Hail Guardian. Won’t you please give a Dallas inventor a chance and be a hero to well over 100M car and truck owners in the USA plagued by hail damage and the fear of hail damage and well over 500M worldwide? We’ve tested the product like crazy and it is entirely effective on hail stones even larger than baseballs.
Comment by hailguardian -
Stay on top! Congrats.
Comment by darryl3 -
good
Mark,
Chrysler, Dodge, Progressive, USAA, American Family Insurance, etc.. all following us on twitter. Dallas Morning News featuring Hail Guardian in the Sunday paper on July 24th. We are just Dallas folks. Maverick fans. Hopeful of standing in front of you on Shark Tank season 3. 150M car owners are yearning for Hail Guardian in the US alone. Over 500M worldwide. We’re praying we get the shot to stand in front of you and do a deal with you. It is an obsession. We will not give up. Article should be in the business section of the Dallas Morning News. Reporter was Terry Box. All the best. This product should come from Texas!! 🙂
Growing up as a 49er Faithful in the San Francisco Bay Area, I have been witness to a great tradition of winning with class – when I moved to the Dallas area ten years ago, I was happy to find that the Mavs were another such organization. (No, the Warriors never managed to earn my love or attention) Just as in the Bill Walsh / Joe Montan / Jerry Rice era, you have built something very special, bringing together a group of athletes obviously driven to succeed TOGETHER.
Mark, I’ve always admired your tenacity and your spirit, even in those sometimes awkward instances when expressing yourself cost you major cash, yet I was even more impressed during this championship run to see this new level of focus and determination. Your committment to helping the team focus by deliberately staying away from the spotlight was a key element in winning the championship – Jet might be the de facto Sixth Man, but I think your -lack- of presence was just as important as the incredible effort coming from your entire bench.
Thank you for being a ucuz uçak biletivisionary for the league. Thank you for my discovered love for hoops. Never thought a SF 49er and Giants fan like myself could love a Dallas team – your leadership and your insistence on teamwork have made a lifetime Mavs fan out of me.
Comment by ucuzucakbiletik -
Mark,
Chrysler, Dodge, Progressive, USAA, American Family Insurance, etc.. all following us on twitter. Dallas Morning News featuring Hail Guardian in the Sunday paper on July 24th. We are just Dallas folks. Maverick fans. Hopeful of standing in front of you on Shark Tank season 3. 150M car owners are yearning for Hail Guardian in the US alone. Over 500M worldwide. We’re praying we get the shot to stand in front of you and do a deal with you. It is an obsession. We will not give up. Article should be in the business section of the Dallas Morning News. Reporter was Terry Box. All the best. This product should come from Texas!! 🙂
Comment by hailguardian -
Can’t thank you enough Mark!! Best owner in sports!!
Comment by hush569 -
Just out of curiosity approx. what percentage of people who said “thank you” followed it up with “for not letting Lebron get one”? Great win though, I’m not a huge NBA fan but was GLUED to the tv for those 6 nights and thought your squad epitomized TEAM, very happy to see you guys take it all the way.
Comment by metsrule40 -
Congratulations Mark! For your time, effort and commitment you deserved it so much that I’ll let this “World Champs” comment slide 😉
Comment by wiLQ -
Hey Mark! My name is Diane .. My Dad Herman and your Mom are cousins. I’m trying to figure out how to e-mail you.. Thanks!
Comment by ceotoddler28 -
I’m not a big basketball fan, but I enjoyed the series, and I lived in Dallas when the Maverick franchise was getting started. I thought it was very classy of you to let Don Carter receive the trophy.
Comment by dumdedumdum -
As I said from the beginning of the finals, in a fierce battle on the ESPN NBA playoff blog with 80% heat bloggers, the Mavs were so focused on the goal that they didn’t care who they were playing. It’s not really that they didn’t care. It’s more that they didn’t notice. They played their game. Didn’t allow anyone in their head. They had as much focus as any team I’ve ever seen in the NBA playoffs and that’s coming from someone who grew up and lived in Chicago up until moving to Texas 15 years ago.
If you could bottle that level of focus, there is no telling what it could accomplish. And to reach that level of focus with the, at least media adversity, of both the 2006 heat finals and the 2007 first round warriors series is truly one of the greatest accomplishments I’ve ever seen in my 44 years. A metaphor for everyone, forever.
Comment by hailguardian -
The Mavs’ run is reminiscent of the Rockets first championship in 94. Game 4 of a 2nd round series against the Barkley-led Suns, the Rockets have a 25 point lead at home at the end of the 3rd quarter. They end-up losing in OT, going down 3-1 in the series. The media goes nuts, comparing the Rockets to the Oilers who had had their epic meltdown losing to the Buffalo Bills in the NFL Playoffs after being up 31-7 at the beginning of the 3rd quarter. The NY Times even called Houston Choke City!
This is the same treatment that the Mavs got this year after the Portland comeback in the first round. The media calling Dallas chokers after the Portland loss seemed to propel the Mavericks all the way to the title.
Nice!
Comment by colinlowry -
I have been watching sports my whole life and letting Don Carter have the trophy first was one the classiest things I have ever seen.
Comment by plipper -
You are a great franchise owner from a fans’ perspective—-because you’re a fan! As a Pittsburgh Pirates supporter since 1970, I wish someone with your passion would buy the Pirates. Sure, they’ve had a nice run so far this year (a couple games over .500 is equivalent to a World Series for the Bucs these days) but realistically, I wish they were owned by someone who hates to lose—-someone with the commitment to win a Championship. I truly enjoyed seeing the Mavericks win it all this year—as an involved owner who has invested so much into your team (I’m not even talking about money) you deserved that moment when the Mavs clinced—-and you deserve the high you’ve been on ever since. I can’t wait to see those championship rings presented. And all of this is coming from a Bobcats fan.
Comment by dcangelo -
Congrats Mark
I’m not a Dallas Fan, “I live in LA”. And I think you know how that went, But I’m so happy for the MAV’s,
First off from just the basketball fan perspective it was hands down one of the best sports series played in years, it kept you on the edge of your seat the entire series no matter what team you rooted for during the regular season.
1. the way you passed the trophy to the original Mavs owners, Classy.
2. guys like Dirk, J Terry and J Kidd should NEVER EVER retire without a ring and im so glad they wont.
3. I like watching enthusiastic team owners that really enjoy there team and the organization, and not just sit there court side as if watching the ebb and flow of an investment.
4.please put an extra diamond in JJ barea’s championship ring, for showing 100% pure im not backing down heart. that guy was Huge!
5. encourage the NBA to sell a DVD of the Mav’s playoff series, they have them for the Lakers, every year they win, Being its the first time the Mavs have won a Championship you need to produce a DVD, Im sure a lot of folks would enjoy watching that over and over.
Have a great summer
Then go grab your check book and go buy the Dodgers.
Comment by artdirectorguy -
Growing up as a 49er Faithful in the San Francisco Bay Area, I have been witness to a great tradition of winning with class – when I moved to the Dallas area ten years ago, I was happy to find that the Mavs were another such organization. (No, the Warriors never managed to earn my love or attention) Just as in the Bill Walsh / Joe Montan / Jerry Rice era, you have built something very special, bringing together a group of athletes obviously driven to succeed TOGETHER.
Mark, I’ve always admired your tenacity and your spirit, even in those sometimes awkward instances when expressing yourself cost you major cash, yet I was even more impressed during this championship run to see this new level of focus and determination. Your committment to helping the team focus by deliberately staying away from the spotlight was a key element in winning the championship – Jet might be the de facto Sixth Man, but I think your -lack- of presence was just as important as the incredible effort coming from your entire bench.
Thank you for being a visionary for the league. Thank you for my discovered love for hoops. Never thought a SF 49er and Giants fan like myself could love a Dallas team – your leadership and your insistence on teamwork have made a lifetime Mavs fan out of me.
Comment by neodrew -
As an old Reunion Rowdy I never lost touch with the Mavs even during the ten years I was living in OK and CA. Been back for ten years now and still watch every game. During game 6 I was watching alone, and I remember sitting on the edge of the chair in the fourth quarter saying to myself It’s not enough” over and over again. But we kept getting stops and I finally let go at the end. (Scared the s$$t out of my dog.)
What a great year and a great team. I know everyone wants to say it was Chandler, and he was great, but I want to give credit to Rick. The man was rock solid all year long. Got the players to believe in “TEAM” and now you will see every other NBA coach trying to do the same thing.
It was inspiring. GO MAVS.
Comment by agman65 -
It was a great thrill watching you this year. It was 5 years to the month since I had met my wife. I grew up in Dallas but was living in California during the 2006 Finals run. I met my wife while sitting at a bar watching game 3. Who would have thought that 5 years later i would be living in Houston now, still a mavs fan and watching you win the Championship with my wife and a 3 week old baby. I remember sitting with her in the hospital on bed rest watching the mavs, we are only waiting for the time we can find the championship logo on a newborn size shirt so my baby boy can wear it. even if he has to wait until he’s 6 months old to fit in the one we found, he will wear it proudly. Thanks for your hard work and dedication to making the Mavs what they have become today.
MFFL in Houston.
Brett
Comment by visualvelocitystudios -
I’m not a Mavs fan but I was rooting for you as well. I have a lot of respect for how you have turned the organization around and your dedication to your players, staff and fans. I’d love to see you purchase the Dodgers when the opportunity comes around.
Comment by shawngault -
You are a great owner Mark. it’s always a business, but you sincerely love the sport, the competition, the battle of wills.
it’s refreshing to see love’s promises fulfilled.
really a great job and executed with a lot of style.
But I can tell you one thing: until you don’t own a european soccer team, , you haven’t tasted life.
If some day you’ll wake up with a lingering curiosity, read this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torino_F.C.
we have a great history, and we can provide a great future.
we just need a passionate owner.
keep up the good job mark. it’s time to plan the war for the second ring.
Comment by granatakaine -
a. did you know Norm Macdonald predicted you’ll take it all before the playoffs started? did you know he went to game 5 and live tweeted 6? did you know his sports show got cancelled?? …. HDnet, maybe?
b. your team plays basketball to the full extent of the word.
if one is off, the other picks up the slack. passes, assists and amazing plays. everybody plays their part (and excel when they need to).
we thank you not for winning, but for BRINGING BACK BASKETBALL, the way it should be.
a silver lining in this cynical world of power and money.
Thank you.
Comment by nacking -
Mark, you are damn right it is humbling. Pee Wee baseball was humbling. Look, seriously. I’m Johnny Blastoff from your Twitter page. You own a theatre. Let us show you how we can help you win more championships by using improv comedy theatre techniques. You can come do shows also. Just check out our Facebook and Website pages. We don’t even advertise and we kick ass. It’s called Relapse Theatre and it is the coolest thing since breasts and pecks. http://www.relapsecomedy.com. We have national headliners and cool freaking people perform all the time. We are the biggest comedy club in the country. We are creative and cool comedians who are being pressured by the man. We have already had a law changed so that we can stay open. We want your help because you aren’t lame. You are fun, wild, and you go for it. Every person at this theatre is the same way. Just start by talking to us. You will like us. I promise. Give us a challenge. Let us prove ourselves.
Comment by knib03 -
That was the most thrilling playoff basketball I’ve ever watched, every series was crazy! After a decade of Dirk and awesome 50 wins seasons WE FINALLY WON!!! You truly did transform a franchise. Hell of a job, MC!
They were replaying your prediction soundbite on The Fan… back at the beginning of the season where you told the guys that you think we can win it all. I was all-in on this Mavs run and I can thank such a great team effort for sticking it to Vegas.
Cheers
Comment by jstevens2009 -
Although my family have been Mavs fans for years, I have not been as much. I love the Spurs. I must say, however, that your Mavs impressed me so much with their teamwork, their professionalism and their sheer love of the game that I took a closer look. You have a great team and I wish you all the very best. Congratulations on an excellent season and a well-deserved win!! I still love my Spurs and the Mavs are truly awesome. It’s gonna be hard for me when my 2 favorite teams play each other!
–Shuga, a new Mavs fan
Comment by shugav27 -
Mark,
Great stuff….very inspirational and great story about your adventure. Congrats to the Dallas Mavericks organization. A great accomplishment by you and the organization you built all striving to achieve what is the pinnacle of your profession.
If you are ever looking for a Sales Guru in San Diego….I’m your guy. jtamoe46@gmail.com That last sentence was worth a shot.
Good luck in the future and next season
Comment by jtamoe46 -
Mr. Cuban! How can a young entrepreneur schedule a meeting with you?!?!? I follow your blog & tweets so I know you are busy right now!!! Thanks for your time!!!! Thanks for blogging, I am enjoying sharing this moment with you! #GoMavs #Champs
Comment by ireptheboot -
Very well said. Congrats on the win. Like many NBA fans, I was pulling for you guys. You all deserved that moment. You did it the right way. Played with heart. Built the team up thru the draft and FA. You brought in the right coach and made it happen. Hard work. There’s no substitute for it. Doesn’t hurt to have the owner be one of the biggest fans. You can tell the guys love you and want to win for you and the city. That’s a special thing. Thanks for sharing this moment with all of us.
Comment by dwlyerly -
The Dallas Mavericks EARNED the NBA Championship by outscoring the other teams.
No Jinxes, curses, prayers, superstitions, beating of tom tom drums, sleeping in the other teams shorts the night before the game (JET), crossing your fingers, putting your socks on a certain way, sitting on a certain part of the couch as a fan while you watched the game, or karma of any sort made ANY difference.
Its a REAL world out there, not one filled with mystical spirits enacting “Jinxes”.
The Dallas Mavericks Players earned it on the court without the aid of any ghosts. Nor did the Miami Heat, or any of the other playoff contenders, Lose out by not working the mystical spirits.
ALL HAIL THE NBA CHAMPION DALLAS MAVERICKS!
Comment by karlmeisenbach -
Pingback: Sports Replay: Ohio State’s dead ‘i’, Derek Jeter’s greatness and college’s pay-for-play debate - Portland OR DIRECTV Service
As a fellow MFFL, it’s still so surreal to me. I had to double check and make sure it had actually happened the first few mornings. (Granted, I was VERY celebratory those first few days, and I didn’t have the benefit of waking up to the Larry O’Brien trophy each morning like Mark did.)
I threw this together a couple days after the Mavs won, I still love going back and reading it, takes me back to the moment. Good stuff if you’re a passionate or superstitious sports fan.
http://disported.com/2011/06/17/lessons-from-a-mavs-title/
Comment by sports brah -
I registered at this website to say THANK YOU again Mark Cuban! For giving us fans a wonderful team that work hard and has great passion for the game. I have always been proud of the Mavs and I’m proud to say that I have been a fan ever since I first watched them play. It was a home game and the Mavs lost but there was something about the team that makes it stand out from all the others. I really hope the Mavs will repeat. I’ll always be cheering you guys on. Mavs fan for LIfe! Great job everyone in the Mavs organization!!! Enjoy your summer!!! Enjoy it champs!!!
By the way, I think the Mavs team has the best camaraderie in the whole NBA! I’ve never seen a team that have fun on and off the court and even on twitter. GO MAVS!!! Here’s hoping you guys win the best team award at ESPY’S. =)
Comment by dea12358 -
Congrats to you Mark and all in the Mavs org.! I’m in LA and love my Lakes but after how you decimated us in the playoffs your without question my next fav team especially since you did not just try to buy a Championship, but you used a lot of hard work and smarts. Your for sure the best owner and I have been a fan of you, your passion and drive. Nice to see it pay off so explicitly.
On a side note a guy here from OC who has done some things for HDNet tells me he is meeting you on Sunday to pitch my show. I hope he is legit since the show would be perfect for both you and HDNet. I also hope I get the opportunity to meet with you as I know you will appreciate my work ethic, drive and passion.
Best to you and the Mavs and again congrats!!
Comment by lastshotproducer -
Congrats, you could sense the togetherness of the team whenever the mavs played, and it’s scary that you won without caron or roddie. Kudos to understanding that athletes that enjoy the culture surrounding them play better than those who do not. Amazing season and this is coming from a long time lakers fan. Kudos again.
Comment by lexadvertising -
Well deserved for everyone who is a Mavs fan and especially MC…
Comment by goofiegolfer -
I’m JUST so HAPPY 4 entire MAVS NATION!!!
U r an awesome OWNER……plus fellow SUPER-FAN!!!!!
I congratulate U & the entire Dallas Mavericks org….the staff,players,all loved ones…your family,etc.!!!!
And of course WE THANK YOU 4 being the #1 Sports Team Owner in the World!!!!
I wish as a Super-Fan/supporter I would’ve been in attendance to plant a big kiss of congratulation 2 U & big HUG 4 Coach Carlisle like the way that U embraced him.
I’ve already casted my votes for The ESPYS Awards Ceremony so I wish The Mavs & all nominees the BEST during tomorrow’s broadcast.
MUAH!!!:)
MAVS NATION rocks!!!
Sincerely,
BETH
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/KultureShokEnt-BETH
Comment by kultureshokentreportz -
Thank you Mark. From this lifelong Dallas fan who went to the first ever Mavs game as a 7 year old and watched in awe and pride with his two little boys WHAT the team was able to accomplish and HOW it did it.
Please work with your fellow NBA owner buddies to make sure we aren’t deprived of a FULL SEASON of the DEFENDING CHAMPION MAVS!
Comment by quakertx -
Your description can nearly be identical to my divorce proceedings….though I really can’t say I won that one, but in retrospect I can say I lost less than my “opponent”.
Seriously,Congrats Mark…couldn’t have happened to a better bunch of guys (my Bulls included).
Comment by Bad Bad Leroy Brown -
Nice work on the win Mark. And a great article.
Comment by rich graham -
i know I still get chills every time my phone “rings” and I hear Dirk singing at the parade. So proud for all of you guys and all of us #MFFL’s
The “good guys” deserve to win every once in a while.
Repeat Baby! Mavs!
Comment by nevener -
Even we Knick fans were happy for the Mavs Mark. Only wish that you were serious about buying our NY Mets! Congrats. Here’s wishing the Knicks vs. the Mavs next June!
Comment by markkolier -