Nearly two decades later, Mark Cuban is still not over the Dallas Mavericks’ 2006 NBA Finals loss to the Miami Heat.
Speaking on DLLS Mavs, the Mavericks minority owner revisited the series and claimed the championship “was stolen” from Dallas. “We hurt in 2006 after it was stolen from us, right?” Cuban said. “And I’ll take that to my grave that it was stolen from us.”
The 2006 Finals saw Miami rally from a 2-0 series deficit to defeat Dallas in six games. Dwyane Wade was named Finals MVP after averaging 34.7 points per game, including two free-throw-heavy performances that remain a subject of debate among fans.
The officiating during that series has long been criticized, particularly after Game 5, when Wade attempted 25 free throws in Miami’s overtime win. Dallas players and coaches argued that questionable calls shifted momentum throughout the matchup.
Cuban has been one of the most vocal critics of how the Finals were handled. His latest remarks add to the ongoing narrative that the Mavericks were denied their first championship by officiating decisions beyond their control.
Adding another layer to the conversation, Wade himself noticed Cuban’s comments. The retired Heat legend liked the post on Instagram, a subtle response that quickly caught attention across social media.
The Mavericks would eventually capture their first championship in 2011, defeating LeBron James, Wade, and Chris Bosh’s Heat in six games. That victory remains a defining moment in franchise history, led by Dirk Nowitzki’s Finals MVP performance.
Even so, the bitterness of 2006 has never fully faded. Cuban’s latest comments show the series remains a lasting source of frustration, while Wade’s quick engagement proves the storyline still sparks conversation nearly 20 years later.
