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40 moments to celebrate Dirk Nowitzki’s 40th birthday

By Jasmyn Wimbish

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 05: Dallas Mavericks Center Dirk Nowitzki (41) looks on before an NBA game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Los Angeles Clippers on February 5, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 05: Dallas Mavericks Center Dirk Nowitzki (41) looks on before an NBA game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Los Angeles Clippers on February 5, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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21. Championship celebration

Dirk Nowitzki (C) of the Dallas Mavericks celebrates with teammates after winning the NBA Finals against the Miami Heat on June 12, 2011 at the AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami, Florida. Jason Terry scored 27 points and Nowitzki finished with 21 points and 11 rebounds as the Mavericks won 105-95 to take the best-of-seven championship series four-games-to-two to claim their first NBA championship in franchise history. AFP PHOTO / Mark RALSTON (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images)
Dirk Nowitzki (C) of the Dallas Mavericks celebrates with teammates after winning the NBA Finals against the Miami Heat on June 12, 2011 at the AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami, Florida. Jason Terry scored 27 points and Nowitzki finished with 21 points and 11 rebounds as the Mavericks won 105-95 to take the best-of-seven championship series four-games-to-two to claim their first NBA championship in franchise history. AFP PHOTO / Mark RALSTON (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images) /

Just as he should, Dirk celebrated like an all-time great after winning the 2011 championship. Filled with many cigars, champagne and many, many renditions of “We are the Champions.” Perhaps one of the greatest moments throughout his championship world tour was when he visited his hometown of Würzburg, Germany to celebrate with more than 15,000 fellow Germans.

22. “We are the Champions” rendition

Speaking of renditions. Dirk’s rendition of “We are the Champions” at the championship rally in Dallas was so memorable that former President Barack Obama poked fun at it during the Mavericks’ visit to the White House the following season. What do you expect from a first-time champion who has been the face of a franchise for his entire career?

23. ESPYs skit

Being an NBA champion comes with loads of perks, and although some may see this as disrespectful, being the centerpiece of a Saturday Night Live-style sketch is definitely a perk.

During the 2011 ESPYs host Seth Meyers showed a video for a fake camp named, “Dirk Nowitzki’s Academy for Awkward Basketball.” It poked fun at Nowitzki’s signature jumpshot, his hairstyles and overall German-ness. Of course it was endorsed by Nowitzki himself by making a cameo appearance in the end.

24. “Shut it down!”

Dirk may have started the 2012 NBA season on the injured list, but that didn’t stop him from being the comic relief for what would eventually be the beginning of some disappointing Mavericks seasons.

During the first game of the season, Dirk joined the Fox Sports crew to chat about the title run and essentially provide some colorful commentary. He didn’t disappoint. Dirk lost his mind when Jason Terry threw an alley-oop to Brandan Wright for the dunk. Proclaiming, “Shut it down! Let’s go home!” It’s still the best called game I’ve ever heard.

25. 2013 beard season

PORTLAND, OR – APRIL 7: Dirk Nowitzki #41 of the Dallas Mavericks looks on during a game against the Portland Trail Blazers on April 7, 2013 at the Rose Garden Arena in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2013 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR – APRIL 7: Dirk Nowitzki #41 of the Dallas Mavericks looks on during a game against the Portland Trail Blazers on April 7, 2013 at the Rose Garden Arena in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2013 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The 2012-2013 season was a rough one, and during a stretch of games in the season Dirk, as well as other members of the Mavericks, decided to make a pact: until the team got to .500, everyone would grow out their facial hair.

As evidenced from the photo above, getting back to even took quite awhile for the Mavericks. In fact, it wasn’t until the final game of the season that the Mavs finished with a 41-41 record. Despite the shortcomings that the ’12-’13 season produced, at least we got to see Dirk with this insanely caveman-esque beard.

Next: Dirk's greatest moments: 26-30

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