When Derek Harper's moment finally arrives Sunday night, when his No. 12 Mavericks jersey is unveiled in the American Airlines Center rafters and he's asked to express his thoughts and feelings, he plans to be brief.
That might seem contradictory for a guy who now makes his living as the Mavericks' TV analyst, but it's Harper the ex-basketball player who's getting his jersey retired.
As a Mavericks point guard for 12 of his 16 NBA seasons, he was tenacious and commanding and, yes, cocksure, but never boastful. Besides, how could he possibly, during a brief halftime ceremony, condense the memories and thoughts of gratitude that have filled his brain in recent weeks?