HoopsHype.com Rumors

Regarding the subject of jersey number retirement, Cuban said Derek Harper would probably be up next. Harper, along with Mark Aguirre, were the two Mavericks along with Brad Davis and Rolando Blackman (whose numbers already hang in the rafters) who got the franchise started in the early days. “I’ll deal with Derek first,” Cuban said when asked if Terry’s jersey would go up soon. “I’d say there’s a good chance [Harper’s number will be retired]. But I’m in no rush to do that.” Dallas Morning News

Dallas Mavericks, Mark Cuban, Jason Terry, Derek Harper 

Dwain Price: Ex-NBA PG Derek Harper on the lockout: "It’s a horrible thing. It’s affecting everything. The Mavericks can’t even talk to Tyson Chandler.'' Twitter

Dallas Mavericks, CBA, Tyson Chandler, David Stern, Lockout, Billy Hunter, NBPA, Derek Harper 

What the Mavericks lacked in playoff experience, they made up for it in heart and desire. "I've lived in California, and the first thing people allude to is they go right back to the '80s when we pushed the Lakers to seven games," Harper said. "I think by being able to take them and play against them that put all of us on the map as well." Harper believes this year's Mavericks can dethrone the Lakers if they maintain their composure, fight through the adversities and don't get caught up in the Lakers' mystique. "I think Dallas has a chance against the Lakers, I really do," Harper said. "But nobody's going to give them a chance." Just like nobody gave Harper and the '88 Mavericks a chance against the Lakers. Until the Lakers survived by winning all four of their home games. "I can truly say that when we played the Lakers, we got beat," Harper said. "We didn't lose the game against those guys in that particular series. "We gave them all they could handle." Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Lakers, Derek Harper