Derek Harper

Derek Harper, who scored a career-high 35 points as the Dallas Mavericks whipped the Lakers, 118-104, in Game 4 of the Western Conference final Sunday at Reunion Arena, will never be able to live down the blunder he made here four years ago in the playoffs against the Lakers. The Mavericks, who trailed the Lakers 2 games to 1 in the 1984 National Basketball Assn.

One Harper gone, another apparently close to arriving. In a move Tuesday that cleared salary and roster space for the acquisition of free-agent guard Ron Harper, the Lakers traded point guard Derek Harper to the Detroit Pistons. The Lakers received guard Melvin Levett, the Pistons' second-round draft pick from Cincinnati. But the key part for the Lakers was to discard Derek Harper's guaranteed, $1.1-million salary.

One Harper gone, another apparently close to arriving. In a move Tuesday that cleared salary and roster space for the acquisition of free-agent guard Ron Harper, the Lakers traded point guard Derek Harper to the Detroit Pistons. The Lakers received guard Melvin Levett, the Pistons' second-round draft pick from Cincinnati. But the key part for the Lakers was to discard Derek Harper's guaranteed, $1.1-million salary.

If you listen to Laker Coach Kurt Rambis, it sounds as if Derek Fisher, who started his fourth consecutive game at point guard Tuesday, and rookie Tyronn Lue are in a bit of a competition to see who will retain their playing time once former starter Derek Harper regains his legs and is ready to re-take a prominent role. "It's real tough to have a three-guard rotation [at the point]," Rambis said before the game against the Warriors. "We'll probably have two guys and have one guy as a spot guy.

Backup center James Donaldson was suspended by the Dallas Mavericks for Wednesday night's game against San Antonio after a practice scuffle with Rolando Blackman that slightly injured Derek Harper, who tried to break up the skirmish.

Memo to NBA players: If you plan to fight, pick a game that is not attended by Commissioner David Stern. Derek Harper of the New York Knicks was suspended for two games and Jo Jo English of the Chicago Bulls for one for their part in Friday's fight. Harper was fined $15,000, English $10,000. Fifteen other players--eight Bulls and seven Knicks--were fined $2,500.

Derek Harper accepted his new role as the Laker starting point guard with barely a shrug, saying that he cares more about how former starter Derek Fisher handles it than anything else. "Derek's a young player, and I think with young players sometimes, they do try a little bit too hard," said the 37-year-old Harper, who spent the first nine games as a heavily-used backup before getting the start Sunday against Seattle. "But Fish is going to be fine. He's a solid guy, No.

In the continuing saga of Dennis Rodman, the question now is what happens today. Before his refusal to report into the game in the fourth quarter Friday night, it had been almost two full weeks since Rodman had disappeared or refused to enter a game or as much as showed up late for a practice. Which was definitely a Laker record for time lapsed between Rodman chaos. "He's made an effort to be on time for everything," Coach Kurt Rambis said before the game.

Coach Kurt Rambis, hoping to make sure 37-year-old Derek Harper doesn't burn out before the playoffs, is planning to sharply reduce Harper's workload in the near future. Harper had started 29 of the Lakers' previous 30 games and was averaging 26.5 minutes, but on Tuesday was replaced in the starting lineup by Derek Fisher, who started the first nine games of the season. Fisher played 23 minutes, rookie Tyronn Lue played 21, and Harper only 11.

In the continuing saga of Dennis Rodman, the question now is what happens today. Before his refusal to report into the game in the fourth quarter Friday night, it had been almost two full weeks since Rodman had disappeared or refused to enter a game or as much as showed up late for a practice. Which was definitely a Laker record for time lapsed between Rodman chaos. "He's made an effort to be on time for everything," Coach Kurt Rambis said before the game.

Derek Harper, who quickly became one of Eddie Jones' best friends on the team this season, said he spoke with the former Laker guard Wednesday night and that Jones had come to terms with his trade to the Charlotte Hornets. "Eddie is cool--he doesn't have a choice, man," Harper said Thursday. "Eddie has to make the best situation for himself. And Eddie's going to be fine. He'll land on his feet. Eddie is a quality guy. "I don't know if everybody's thinking, should he be upset?

Derek Harper accepted his new role as the Laker starting point guard with barely a shrug, saying that he cares more about how former starter Derek Fisher handles it than anything else. "Derek's a young player, and I think with young players sometimes, they do try a little bit too hard," said the 37-year-old Harper, who spent the first nine games as a heavily-used backup before getting the start Sunday against Seattle. "But Fish is going to be fine. He's a solid guy, No.

Coach Del Harris said his inclination is to stay with 16-year veteran Derek Harper in the late going of tight games, despite the frustrations of second-year starter Derek Fisher. "Harp has been playing well and of course Harp is a 16-year veteran and if you're not going to take advantage at the end of the game, I don't know when you do that," Harris said Monday.

The Lakers were back on the practice floor Saturday morning, and no loafing was involved. The compressed schedule--and 16-year veteran Derek Harper--allowed them almost no time to over-celebrate Friday's victory over Houston. "It's back to business," guard Eddie Jones said. "Derek Harper said last night after the game, he was like, 'All right, you guys, we won this game. It's over with. The horn sounded. And it's time to get ready for Utah.' He said it the best way possible."

The new guys all chipped in, but it was the oldest Maverick, Derek Harper, who paced the Dallas Mavericks to a 95-90 victory over the Seattle SuperSonics Saturday night. Harper, taking Jason Kidd's spot in the starting lineup, scored 24 points, his season high, with 21 coming in the first half. "We were relieved because all the changes were behind us," said Harper, who returned to the Mavericks as a free agent in the off-season. "We gained an edge from it because all the speculation was over."

Coach Pat Riley says the Knicks turned the ball over 21 times in Game 3 because they were "careless." Greg Anthony says: "The problem is we haven't played with any effort, energy or intensity." John Starks says he's surprised the series isn't already over. What does this make the Bulls, tied at 2-2 in this NBA Eastern Conference semifinal series going into tonight's Game 5 at Madison Square Garden?

The elder statesman has a don't-ignore-me baritone voice, and when he uses it to pass out advice, it rumbles through the Laker locker room. "You've got to change your attitude about signing autographs for kids, man," Derek Harper intoned to a young Laker player late in the night after a recent exhibition game. "You've got to sign for them, or it makes you look like a butthead." The younger Laker squawked a little, and pointed out that he doesn't always bypass the kids.

The new guys all chipped in, but it was the oldest Maverick, Derek Harper, who paced the Dallas Mavericks to a 95-90 victory over the Seattle SuperSonics Saturday night. Harper, taking Jason Kidd's spot in the starting lineup, scored 24 points, his season high, with 21 coming in the first half. "We were relieved because all the changes were behind us," said Harper, who returned to the Mavericks as a free agent in the off-season. "We gained an edge from it because all the speculation was over."