By Bill Zeeble, KERA News
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kera/local-kera-973892.mp3
Dallas, TX – Amid daily news about war, terrorism, the economy, and lost jobs, the Dallas Mavs victory parade offered an outlet for pure, ecstatic joy. KERA's Bill Zeeble has more on the event that drew some 200,000 fans.
Thursday was another sunny, sweaty, 100 degree day. It was loud and jam-packed along the mile and half parade route. But the crowds chose to be here for one reason. To cheer their world championship Mavericks basketball players.
Long time Mavs fan Stephen Smith has followed the team for most of his life.
Smith: I go back to the real Triple J - Jimmy Jackson, Jamal Mashburn, Jason Kidd, the original Triple J.
Smith says he was unfazed when he realized the Mavs would face the Miami Heat, known for its three superstars. His confidence in the Mavs grew.
Smith: They have a better team. Teamwork & intelligence always beats athletes. You've got 3 athletes matched against a whole team, team's going to win every time.
Joseph Chatman and his girlfriend Tybrena Bryant weren't so sure. Chatman joked he experienced 6, no 7 heart attacks through the finals, the games were so close, so often. Chatman's girlfriend says he's also superstitious.
Tybrena Bryant: He's not telling you the whole story. Check this out, he hadn't cut his hair the whole season. Wouldn't cut it. he had this baby "fro" and Rip Van Winkle thing going on. He wouldn cut it. The night we played Portland and blew that 23 point lead. He was going to meet my dad, so I made him cut his hair. And we lost that night. So the whole two weeks it was my fault we lost to Portland. After that he didn't' cut his hair anymore 'till after we won. He got the trophy cut in his head. Die-hard fan.
Inside the arena, more die-hard fans cheered the players and head coach Rick Carlisle. In his over-the-top comments welcomed in this enthusiastic house, he praised Dirk Nowitzki as the best player on the planet, and his team as the best in the world. He also remembered the fans.
Mavericks Head Coach Rick Carlisle: One thing I learned early on. In this city you never play for 2nd place. You play to be the best. And the city of Dallas holds their champions in extremely high esteem and these guys have earned every ounce of respect that goes with that, and I know they appreciate and I appreciate it.
The 18,000 or so season ticket holders inside the arena also heard from Jason Kidd, Tyson Chandler, Jason Terry and the other stars. The chants and cheers welled up again for the Playoff's Most Valuable Player Dirk Nowitzki.
Dirk Nowitzki: It's been an amazing ride, amazing journey, I was lucky enough to spend 13 years with the greatest fans of the NBA. Lots of ups and lots of downs. This is the top of the iceberg and it feels absolutely amazing.
And for a while, everyone here felt the same way. Nowitzki celebrates his 33rd birthday Sunday.