Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban polishes the championship trophy during a event held to celebrate the team's NBA championship in Dallas, Texas, on Thursday. Dallas defeated the Miami Heat to win the 2011 NBA title. Mike Stone / Reuters

An estimated 250,000 fans lined the route which started at the Dallas Convention Center

DALLAS, Texas - In an exuberant parade and victory celebration, Dallas Maverick fans honored their championship team on Thursday with favor, flavor and class.

The estimated 250,000 fans at the parade and celebration appeared to be more focused on having fun and cheering the team for winning its first NBA championship in their 31-year-history.

"I'm excited, even though it took them so long," said Tybrena Bryant, 22 of Dallas, who was among the early arrivals to the event.

"I'm a Cowboy's fan but the Cowboys didn't bring it home, the (Texas) Stars didn't bring it home and the Rangers haven't bought it home. The Mavericks did and we were long overdue."

Four hours before the parade began at 10 am (1500 GMT), thousands of revellers had already lined the route that started at the Dallas Convention Center downtown and ended at American Airlines Center.

With wild cheers and victory chants they eagerly greeted the Mavericks and their entourage along the parade route.

The praise continued inside the American Airlines Center at a Mavericks-hosted rally attended by season ticket holders only.

The crowd saved their loudest cheers for playoff MVP Dirk Nowitzki of Germany.

He was serenaded with a rendition of "Happy Birthday" because the German star turns 33 on Sunday.

"It's been an amazing ride, an amazing journey," Nowitzki said. "It's been a lot of ups and a lot of downs. This is the top of the iceberg. It feels absolutely amazing."

Mavericks owner Mark Cuban says he will foot the bill for the event which is expected to cost between $1 million to $1.5 million, according to Dallas Mayor Dwaine Caraway.

Some fans took their commemoration to extremes. Along with those who draped themselves in Maverick attire, some came with faces painted white and blue; other sported hairstyles dyed in the same hues.

Joseph Chatman of Dallas had refrained from cutting his hair during most of the season. He celebrated the victory by having his barber shave the image of the Mavericks' trophy and their winning year into his head the day after they defeated the Miami Heat.

Chatman's trophy haircut was actually his second choice. "I really wanted the Mavericks team symbol but my barber said he couldn't do it," Chatman said. "I didn't want him to mess my head up."

The event also attracted curious onlookers and at least a few non-Mavericks supporters.

"We can't get too loud out here around all these Mavericks fans," said Terrance Turner, 29, of Garland.

As a result of losing a bet with friends about which team would win, Turner had to replace his Facebook profile photo with a photo of Nowitzki.

Turner's friend Bryan Griffin, 27, of Garland, who also placed a losing bet, had to prepare an elaborate meal for nine of his Mavericks-loving friends.

"I'm a Heat fan," he says. "But ain't nothing wrong with coming out here anyway."

The celebration was largely peaceful, unlike the aftermath of Game 7 of the Stanley Cup finals on Wednesday night when Vancouver fans lit fires, overturned cars and battled police after the Canucks' loss to the Boston Bruins.

Dallas police said they made three arrests after a fight. There were 145 people treated for minor medical problems. The 32 degree Celsius (90 Fahrenheit) heat also caused problems as nine people were taken to hospitals for heat exhaustion.

Agence France-Presse

Forward Dirk Nowitzki of the Dallas Mavericks waves to thousands of fans during the team's victory parade on Thursday. AFP

(China Daily 06/18/2011 page15)