"After helping the Dallas Mavericks finish off the host Miami Heat on Sunday night to win their first NBA championship, ex-New Orleans Hornets center Tyson Chandler savored the celebration, and said he wouldn't mind doing it again next season.

The championship came forth just like he had hoped. The Mavericks won the series behind Dirk Nowitzki's scoring, with a number of other contributors emerging - guards Jason Terry and J.J. Barea, and Chandler, with his presence in the lane as the team's defensive enforcer.

Chandler, who played four seasons with the Hornets, made it tough for Miami stars LeBron James and Dwyane Wade to drive the lane.

"I didn't care if I passed out on the floor; I was willing to give 100 percent every night, so we can be crowned champions,'' Chandler said.

Beyond his defensive play, Chandler scored in double figures three times. In Game 4, when Nowitzki struggled to find his shooting rhythm while battling a fever, the 7-foot-1 center grabbed 16 rebounds and scored 13 points in the Mavericks' 86-83 victory.

In Game 5, Chandler had 13 points and grabbed a team-high seven rebounds.

"T.C. obviously was critical,'' said Dallas owner Mark Cuban, who acquired Chandler in a trade last summer from the Charlotte Bobcats. "Right when he got there, we kind of viewed him as our Kevin Garnett - the guy that was going to be vocal, that was going to hold people accountable. I remember having conversations with him, and he said it's OK to yell. He kept on bringing it.''

Set to become a free agent this summer, Chandler will likely draw attention from a number of teams that might include the Hornets. Chandler said he wants to return to the Mavericks.

"It's just an unbelievable feeling to go through everything that we've been through the entire year and get to this point and be crowned NBA champions,'' Chandler said. "I don't know if it will ever sink in, but for the rest of our lives we'll be champions.''

After the championship celebration had reduced to a simmer in the locker room Sunday night, Chandler reflected on the roadblocks he endured before landing in Dallas. He hasn't forgotten about being unwanted by the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2009, when they rescinded a trade with the Hornets because of concerns about a preexisting toe injury that had required surgery two years earlier."