Mavericks owner Mark Cuban said more than three years ago they’d retire Derek Harper’s No. 12.
They’re finally getting around to it.
Arya Ahmadi of Mavs.com:The Mavericks announced tonight they plan to retire Derek Harper’s #12 jersey on January 7, 2018 vs. the New York Knicks. He joins Brad Davis (#15) and Rolando Blackman (#22) as the only Mavericks to have their jerseys hung in the rafters.
“Like every Mavs fan around the world, we are proud of Derek and everything he has done and continues to do for Mavs fans,” said Owner Mark Cuban. “His contributions can’t be overestimated. We are excited that he will join Ro and Brad in the rafters as we retire number 12 forever.”
Harper ranks first in assists, first in steals, fourth in points, third in games and third in win shares (behind only Dirk Nowitzki and Blackman) in Mavericks history. They never made the playoffs without him until Nowitzki arrived.
It’s fitting the ceremony will come against the Knicks, with whom Harper reached the 1994 NBA Finals between stints in Dallas. Harper further endeared himself to Dallas in retirement with his work on Mavericks telecasts.
But those two factors are noise. This honor is definitely deserved for what Harper did on the court alone.