DGWT, round one: (3) 3-pointer response to Deron (2008) vs. (14) No mercy to Kaman (2006)

(3) 3-pointer response to a Deron Williams prayer (2008)

Coming off of a depressing first round upset to Golden State in 2007 and a heartbreaking Finals loss to Miami in 2006, Mavs fans really needed their team to get back into the playoffs in 2008 to exorcise some demons. With this game winner, Dirk sealed the opportunity to do just that, clinching the Mavs' eighth straight 50-win season and a playoff berth.

I love shots like this. The emotional low followed by the emotional high. When Deron hit that shot, your heart sank. Fortunately, with no timeouts left, the Mavericks had to inbound the ball immediately. So my emotional low lasted about 3 seconds before my brain transitioned into full-on "give the ball to Dirk and I know that we will win this" mode. And that's exactly what happened. Any Dirk game winner is fun, but I've always enjoyed the threes the most. Dirk threes are glorious, high-arching, rainbow shots of wonder. Seriously though, how did Utah leave him open?

This shot was so amazing that it almost doesn't matter that it really only locked up another first round exit from the playoffs. It was Dirk in all his clutch Dirky-ness.

- Bailey Rogers (@BRogers789)

(14) No mercy to future teammate Kaman (2006)

This probably wasn't a great game. The score is, after all, tied at 73 when Dirk faces up at the top of the key. But this shot is pretty great.

I love that it's against his future teammate and somehow-German citizen Chris Kaman. I love the green alternate jerseys that the team should still wear. I love Dirk's slightly awkward "I'm going to pop my jersey out to show off the Mavs written on it" celebration. It's a great moment.

- Tim Cato (@tim_cato)