2011 Dallas Mavericks disrespected among recent NBA Champions

It's been almost 15 years since the Dallas Mavericks last won an NBA title, but the 2011 team is still recognized to this day for their accomplishments.

However, CBS Sports ranked the champions of the 21st Century and placed the Mavs at No. 19.

"In retrospect, it makes sense: Dallas surrounded Dirk Nowitzki with top-tier rim protection, reliable wing defenders and playmakers who complemented him perfectly. At the time, though, the Mavericks' title run was a total shock. Even though they'd won 31 of their last 42 regular-season games (including 18 of 19 in a six-week stretch), they were considered much more likely to lose to the Portland Trail Blazers in the first round of the playoffs than go all the way," Herbert wrote.

"Following a superhuman performance by Portland's Brandon Roy in Game 4, that series was tied 2-2. Then Dallas won Games 5 and 6 against the Blazers, swept the Lakers, ousted the Thunder in five games and shocked the Heat -- and the world -- in six. 

"Nothing about the Mavericks' road to the title was easy. They had a knack for erasing big deficits and they were one of the most clutch teams in NBA history. They were old, they were kind of weird and they were dismantled in the offseason that followed, but they will be remembered as the overachievers that stymied LeBron James in the Finals, cementing their superstar's legacy and forcing a superteam to evolve."