LeBron James' (Used) Mouthguard on eBay and Other NBA Finals Must-Haves

By Matthew Shepatin
June 7, 2011

Entering these NBA Finals, many experts opined that for the Dallas Mavericks to outlast the star-studded Miami Heat, Dirk Nowitzki would have to give an MVP performance.

Dirk Nowitzki led his team with 27 points and eight rebounds in Dallas’ Game 1 loss, scored the final nine in the Mavs’ stunning come-from-behind 95-93 victory in Game 2, and finished Game 3 with a game-high 34 points, accounting for 15 of the Mavs’ 22 points in the fourth quarter.

NBA Finals

LeBron James (#6) of the Miami Heat shoots the ball over Tyson Chandler (#6 ) and Shawn Marion (#0) of the Dallas Mavericks in the third quarter in Game Three of the 2011 NBA Finals.(Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Sounds like an MVP performance to me.

Only problem is that Dallas Mavericks are down 2-1 while the Miami Heat are two games away from subjecting everybody outside South Beach to the most nauseating victory dances in history.

The cruel twist of fate, if you’re a Mavs fan, is that previous playoff runs have stalled as a result of a swiss-cheese defense letting down a dynamite offense. But thus far in this series, it has been the exact opposite.

The Dallas Mavericks have done an admirable job defending against the Miami Heat. Sure, the Big Three—Dwayne Wade, LeBron James and Chris Bosh—have resembled the Harlem Globetrotters for stretches. But Dallas has also been able to clamp down on Miami in the second half of games and give themselves a chance to win at the end.

NBA Finals

Chris Bosh (#1) of the Miami Heat goes up for a shot in front of Dirk Nowitzki (#41) of the Dallas Mavericks in Game Three of the 2011 NBA Finals. (Photo by Larry W. Smith-Pool/Getty Images)

If the Dallas Mavericks are to derail Miami’s momentum and buck history—none of the 11 teams who lost Game 3 after splitting the first two in this 2-3-2 format have gone onto win the championship—they need to start fighting fire with fire. Based on what we’ve seen from the Mavs over the first three games, don’t hold your breath.

In Dallas’ Game 3 loss on Sunday, Jason Terry was the only Mavs player not named Dirk to score in double-digits, and even Jason “The Jet” Terry is shooting an uncharacteristic 38.2 percent from the field and is an anemic 4-for-12 on 3-pointers in the series.

Along with Terry, guards Jason Kidd and J.J. Barea have also had their fair share of open looks, yet have failed to find the bottom of the net. As for veteran sharpshooter Peja Stojakovic, he hasn't been an effective scorer either.

NBA Finals

Dwyane Wade (#3) of the Miami Heat goes up for a shot between Dirk Nowitzki (#41) and Jason Kidd (#2 )of the Dallas Mavericks in the third quarter in Game Three of the 2011 NBA Finals. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Dirk Nowitzki has to be praying that one of the guys wearing the same color jersey as him steps up to become a deadly offensive weapon for the rest of the Finals. Either that, or that Mavs billionaire owner Mark Cuban can successfully clone the 7-foot German star forward before tonight’s tip-off. At this moment, we’re not sure of the better odds.

Finally, if fan spirit is any indication of a team's success on the court, consider the following: During the month of May, "Miami Heat" boasted 83 percent more onine auction listings on eBay and 56 percent more in sales than "Dallas Mavericks".

But excitement for the Dallas Mavs is growing: eBay sales for "Dallas Mavericks" rose more than seven-fold from April to May, while those for "Miami Heat" only tripled. Further, the average price of Mavs-related merchandise and Dallas Mavericks collectibles are higher (at $143) than those from the Heat ($119.08).

Show your team Spirit with these souvenirs from the 2011 NBA Finals.

2011 NBA Finals Hat

(buy it now price, $55)

Leave it to Adidas to make a commemorative cap that doesn’t look dorky (as long as you wear it while actually watching basketball). Dig the outlaw black color and slick, clean logo.
Team-Signed Miami Heat Jersey

(buy it now price, $1,250)

This jersey is hand signed by many of the Heat players, including the other Big Three—Juwan Howard, Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Jamaal Magloire.
LeBron James Used Mouthguard

(buy it now price, $999.99)

Who hasn’t wondered what it would feel like to be LeBron James teeth? Here’s your chance, for only $999.99.
Dirk Nowitzki Signed Mavs Jersey

(buy it now price, $139.99)

Nowitzki added his John Hancock to this jersey, in both English and German.
Miami Heat Bowling Purse

(buy it now price, $34.95)

Now if you can only locate those Pat Riley bowling shoes, you’ll be the envy of the alley.
Seven Signed Dallas Mavericks Basketballs

(buy it now price, $500)

Mark Cuban doesn’t just sign the checks; he also signs the balls.
2011 NBA Finals Miami Heat Team Photo and Gold Coin

(buy it now price, $99.95)

Regardless of your feelings for the team, love the gold-plated action.
Signed Dwayne Wade Jersey

(buy it now price, $299.95)

Dwayne Wade memorabilia gets more valuable with each incredible performance in this Finals series.
Signed Shawn Marion Basketball Floor

(buy it now price, $24.99)

If the Mavs are going to win Game 4, Shawn Marion needs to “floor” the crowd with his shot-making.
2011 Finals Gold Coin

(buy it now price, $44.95)

Just make sure to flip it around so the Mavericks logo is showing when you’re in Texas (or Cleveland, Ohio, for that matter).