I have said this before, but the news that former Dallas Mavericks great Mark Aguirre collapsed yesterday and had to be rushed to the hospital (attributed here, vaguely, to a “clogged vessel”) has given my cause a renewed urgency.
If you are unaware, the Mavericks have only retired two numbers in their 31-year history: No. 22 (for Rolando Blackman) and No. 15 for Brad Davis. Obviously, when Dirk Nowitzki retires, those numbers will be joined by the Big German’s No. 41.
Aguirre’s case for inclusion is certainly complicated. He won two titles with Detroit after forcing his way out of town. He had a reputation for being, let’s say, mercurial during his time here. But he helped lead the team to its first Western Conference Finals appearance and, really, was a driving force in legitimizing the Mavericks, taking them from expansion status to league-elite level. He was a three-time All-Star, an offensive Swiss Army knife who could score everywhere on the court, the one thing opposing teams couldn’t really prepare for. If he was on his game, you weren’t doing much.
He was, as much as anyone, the Mavericks back then. So honor him already, Cubes. While he’s still here to enjoy it.
