The Mavericks also got themselves off the list of teams that have never made the finals. Only the Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Clippers and Denver Nuggets have been in the league longer without making it.

Amid the celebration, Cuban thanked Nelson for being the patriarch of the team’s turnaround.

“Nellie” lifted the franchise from the dregs starting in the late 1990s, turning over the entire roster save for Michael Finley, later surrounding him with Steve Nash and Nowitzki. He also brought in Johnson as a player, first making him part of the staff when he was left off the 2003 playoff roster.

“When we first got here it was rough,” Nowitzki said. “We were in that old arena. It stunk. It was bad. So we fought through a lot of stuff. ... It’s been fun the whole ride so far.”

Nowitzki also brought up Nash — who now plays for the Suns — and Finley.

“We kind of built that triangle for a while, which was great,” Nowitzki said. “They’re great friends and it hurt losing them. I wish, obviously both would still be here to enjoy this moment with me.”

Nash has been voted MVP both seasons since he left Dallas. But he hasn’t made the finals.

“To see Dirk be able to play for the championship, it’s exciting,” Nash said. “I mean, it hurts a lot that I won’t be able to do it, but I really admire what he’s been able to do. I’m proud of his accomplishments and what he’s meant to that team.”

Johnson was only a few months removed from his playing career when he replaced Nelson. He forced players to take defense seriously, demanded that they be tougher mentally and physically and constantly talked about winning it all, something he learned as the starting point guard on San Antonio’s 1999 title team.

Dallas came into this season widely viewed as a middle-of-the-pack playoff team, but Johnson molded the supporting cast around a still-blossoming Nowitzki and the result is something the previous 25 Mavericks teams couldn’t accomplish.

“There were times when you went to games in the 1990s and people wore bags over their heads,” said Harper, now a team broadcaster. “They have to lift those bags and be proud of what this franchise has been able to accomplish.”

Said Grant, who has gone from equipment manager to assistant GM: “It’s been quite a ride.”

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