Anyone who has been a fan of the Dallas Mavericks since Dirk Nowitzki joined the team a million years ago knows just how important he is to this franchise. He has been the centerpiece, the pillar of strength, if you will, for over a decade. We've had the pleasure of watching him grow from a lanky Euro kid with an AWFUL bowl cut to the sophisticated German with, well, a tousled blonde mane. And really, just about every haircut in between.
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We've seen him with a buzz cut, accentuating his strong jaw and powerful nose.
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We've seen him with nearly shoulder-length locks, held in place with a superstar headband.
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We see him during the off-season, hiding his curls beneath a Rangers cap, and we've seen him in that awkward "I'm growing it out" stage where you pity his lack of style (but never his lack of über-cool).
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But I ask you this- what dictates Dirk's 'do? Is it superstition? He's had his playoff hair/beard for sure, but we've also seen him chop it all off mid-season. Is it simply driven by comfort? Does he grow it out until he can no longer stand the strands? Or does he style it to please the ladies? Everyone knows the tale of Samson, who's strength lay in his hair. Once Delilah cut it, he lost everything (chicks, dude. Am I right?). Could it be that his hair holds some mystical powers that are only known to him? Is there some all-knowing basketball god (Holger?) whispering in his ear when it's time to grow and time to shear?
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Only Dirk knows.
All we can know is this- Dirk takes hair to a new level of badassery. When he's leaning back with his leg held high, poised to drop a jumpshot over some sorry defender's head, his hair flows out menacingly behind his head like the tail of a mighty comet. (I'm reading Clash of Kings, shut up.) I personally prefer his luscious mane, complete with headband, to this current frat boy cut. But what do I know, I'm just a silly girl. With excellent hair. Like Dirk.