In the aftermath of the Dallas Mavericks’ first-ever NBA Championship victory, one fan has immortalized the moment in a way that only true enthusiasts do: with a tattoo.
Rob Salsman, a sales professional from the Dallas area, embraced the full fan experience by getting a tattoo of Finals MVP Dirk Nowitzki. This follows the unwritten rules of post-championship fan behavior: celebrate in style, and when possible, make it permanent. The ink, which depicts Nowitzki’s silhouette as he nails one of his signature one-foot jumpers, is now etched on Salsman’s leg, ensuring that the memory of the Mavericks’ 2011 triumph will stay with him for life.
Salsman, a graduate of the University of North Texas, took to Twitter after the Mavericks’ victory over the Miami Heat to ask his followers: “Who else got their Dirk tatt today?” He also shared a photo of the tattoo, which he had done at Aces Tattoos in Denton, Texas, for $150. The image, rendered in two shades of Mavs blue, captures the essence of Nowitzki’s clutch performance, a symbol of the loyalty and dedication that fans like Salsman have for their team.
The inspiration for the tattoo stems from a creative project by Akis Yerocostas, a contributor to the Sacramento Kings blog Sactown Royalty. Yerocostas began a series that reimagined the iconic NBA logo by replacing Hall of Famer Jerry West’s silhouette with those of notable NBA stars, including Nowitzki. This “NBA Mashups” Tumblr project garnered attention, with the Nowitzki logo being one of its first highlights. The design gained even more traction when Yerocostas, in collaboration with Chris Jackson of Get Banged On, created a “Get Dirked On” T-shirt, which quickly became a favorite among Mavericks fans.
In the wake of the Mavericks’ championship victory, Salsman’s tattoo brought the design full circle, marking a lasting tribute to the team’s triumph. Yerocostas, upon seeing the tattoo, expressed surprise but also admiration for the way his art had found its way onto a fan’s skin.
The tattoo serves as a reminder of not only the Mavericks’ remarkable 2011 season but also the passionate and enduring connection between fans and their teams. For Salsman, Dirk Nowitzki’s iconic pose will be with him “through thick and thin” — a permanent symbol of the championship that changed everything for the Mavericks.
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