09:49 PM CDT on Monday, June 5, 2006

By EMILY GOLDSTEIN / The Dallas Morning News

Each day during the NBA Finals, we'll profile a Mavericks fan.

No one who sees Stephen Chavera's four Dallas Mavericks tattoos can question his dedication.

"I'm just a diehard, plain and simple," said the 33-year-old Dallas resident and production supervisor for a manufacturing company.

And this tattooed diehard was brought to tears by the Mavericks' victory against the Phoenix Suns on Saturday night.

"I cried Saturday," he said, "and I'm not one to cry."

Mr. Chavera's tattoos include three different Mavericks logos, as well as the letters MFFL – Mavs Fan For Life.

The tattoos have won him celebrity among the team. He communicates with owner Mark Cuban, who he said attended his wedding reception (at the Mavericks’ club in Reunion Arena, of course) in 2001 and has given him tickets for two seasons.

Courtesy photo

Stephen Chavera says Mavs owner Mark Cuban gave him season tickets the year he had a Mavs tattoo placed on his arm.

Mr. Chavera tried to move to Las Vegas in 2002, but he just couldn't stay away from the Mavs, so he returned home.

"A lot of these people that were questioning my tattoo, some of them now have it," he said. "They've changed their tune. It's quite funny."

Plans for a fifth work of art are under way.

"I plan on getting the trophy, right on my biceps, right up front where everyone can see it," Mr. Chavera said.

E-mail egoldstein@dallasnews.com