DALLAS — In the shadow of the Dirk Nowitzki statue outside the American Airlines Center, Dallas fans were ready Friday to watch the making of another Mavs legend.
For some, the reality of the team's trip to the NBA Finals is still sinking in.
"Man it feels amazing," said Jacob Meza. "I was crying yesterday because I couldn't believe it."
Some fans couldn't wait and stayed up late to hit sporting good stores for the newest gear, proudly emblazoned with logos celebrating the Western Conference Champions.
"Once I saw Luka get more than 20 points in the first quarter, I was very confident that we were just going to romp on them until the very end," said Emily Kelp, who left the store with several new shirts.
Luka fever crosses continents, it turns out. Outside one fan store, a mom from Australia bought a number 77 jersey for her son, a schoolteacher back home. "I don't know his name," Bev Palmer admitted. "But that's who we've come to get the jersey for."
A lucky few will get to see the star play in person.
"Dude, I feel so excited to go to one of the games," said 16-year-old Carter Otts. "It's going to be so much fun."
His dad, Jason, bought their tickets fast. "I was trying to get them before the scalpers got to them and jacked the prices up," he explained.
He paid two grand for three seats near the rafters -- a ticket courtside was going for ten times that on Friday.
"Yeah, a little bit pricey, but I’ve been saving for this," Jason Ott said. "I purposely didn’t go to the NBA playoff games because I had a feeling."
Other Dallas fans, like Meza, had a warning for Boston: "Don't underestimate us."
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