The quintessential American sports story: Hooray for the Underdog!

“There goes my hero, watch him as he goes!”

Among the many nebulous x-factors in the game of basketball there is perhaps no greater x-factor than injuries. Injuries effect so much to even a single game. They can completely dislodge any amount of momentum from a team and turn it around into instant motivation for the opposition. Injuries can have massive psychological effects on a player, shredding their confidence for the rest of the game and, most obvious of all, they take away a player’s physical mobility and ability to play. Injuries excite conversation, creating another plot line to a game or series of their own; “will he be able to play through it?”, “how will this effect his mechanics?,” “with this injury can we now count them out of the series?” While sometimes an injury is our way to rationalize the outcome of a series, other times injuries add to the glory of the player. Let it also be said that the glory of playing through an injury and winning FAR outweighs the glory taken away from a team that defeats an injury ridden team (i.e. the glory due the ‘11 Mavs vs. the tainted glory of the ‘07 Spurs).. Thus, in the wake of this past NBA Finals, the glory due Dirk Nowitzki will (justifiably) far outweigh the glory taken away from the Mavs on account of Wade’s hip injury in game 5. But before getting to game 5, Dirk Nowitzki’s finger injury was the front and center plot line after game 1. 

The Fates

Mike Wilbon

How worried were people really about Dirk’s torn (non-shooting hand) finger ligament? At that time, I really had no idea.ESPN commentator and columnist, Mike Wilbon, alludes to the winds of fate when writing on Dirk Nowitzki’s torn ligament calling it “The fickle finger of Dirk Nowitzki’s fate.” Sure it was the seemingly unimportant index finger of his non-shooting hand but we have seen players completely fade away account of even the smallest of injuries. Counter-wise, we have seen players with seemingly game ending injuries that not only have played through it but have taken over the game anyways (e.g. Rajon Rondo, Baron Davis, and MJ). Regarding Dirk however, sports analysts that I esteem highly were inconclusive on what effect they believed this injury would have on Dirk.. Hindsight 20/20, sure, it didn’t matter. But at the time was it really that obvious? Wade’s slow knees, were declared a possible “problem” for arguably the whole season, not to mention a great liability come playoff time after an entire season of wear-and-tare, but they were evidently regarded as an obvious non-issue during this finals. Dirk’s finger on the other hand wasn’t given the clear benefit of the doubt that Wade’s knees were. Indeed, some commentators guessed correctly that it would have “no impact whatsoever.” It was well noted that there is much more to Dirk’s play than his shooting such as having quick hands for pulling down rebounds, moving through screens, making the quick move for a steal or loose ball, and consequently, the finger is a legitimate cause for concern. Game 2 however, put our fears to rest.   

 

Dirk Nowitzki winning with that "injured" left hand.

What was happening was the quintessential American sports story: the hero of the underdogs winning against the villains. Not only was the hero winning, he was playing despite his injury. Later, the Heat live up to their “villain” status with the “King” and his partner (or his commander D-Wade but how can a “king” have a commander?) mocking said underdog hero. Dirk leads an amazing comeback victory with a game winning lay up with his “injured” left hand; then a clutch lay up mirrored on the other side of the elbow finishing with his right. The finger that before caused so much debate is now a far gone question. The crucial momentum is beginning to swing from the seemingly indestructible foe, the Miami Heat. The “King”, Mr. South beach, Mr. James, is beginning to show signs of weakness and the Mavericks are now not so much an underdog after all. However, the Heat still had much going in their favor; winning game 1, winning 1 out of 2 in Dallas before going home for the next 3 games where they had been enjoying great success in the playoffs thus far and perhaps their best piece of luck after all, a fever of 101 degrees. 

Cooling off the flu with a cold towel.

Although by no means a nail in the coffin for our beloved underdogs, the Dirk’s fever became an instant confidence booster for the the Heat even in the wake of an incredible performance by the hero. Dirk essentially becomes the “Dark Knight:” he doesn’t have to be flashy, he doesn’t have to be what “Gotham wants,” he just has to be “what Gotham needs.” The hero shoots a terrible percentage (6-19), gets some help from “Alfred” (i.e. Terry the “Jet”) but takes over the fourth quarter and rides off into the sunset. Now, the Batman is an incomplete hero without his villain; “the Joker.” Seemingly cool and composed, the villains commit the most classic of villain mistakes; they dare to mock the hero who is beating them; perhaps this is became karma’s tipping point (after beginning here). As Batman’s Joker acutely points out that he needs the Joker to be the hero, Dirk’s hero status became solidified by his opposition. 

Floppers keep floppin'

The finals MVP trophy sitting on Dirk’s shelf is made that much more glorious in light of these challenges; his sickness and his opposition. As Tiger Woods’ 2008 U.S. Open became en-grafted into the annals of the greatest Opens of all time, as Jordan’s clutch game 5 performance of the ‘97 finals was made sweeter by the flu, Dirk Nowitzki’s game 4 performance not only guaranteed him a finals MVP trophy but permanently made him an underdog hero. The villains are on one side, Dirk is on the other.

-Professor P-Funk