Jan 16, 2013; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics guard Jason Terry (4) celebrates a three point play during the third quarter against the New Orleans Hornets at TD Banknorth Garden. The New Orleans Hornets won 90-78. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

Jason Terry was a fan favorite for the Dallas Mavericks for years and many were devastated when he left to go to Boston. He helped the Mavs go to two Finals and finally hoist the Larry O’Brien Trophy in 2011. But don’t expect his eyes to get watery when he comes out on the court.

“I shed tears when I had to leave,” Terry said, via Dallas Basketball.com. “So I don’t think I have any more left.”

But despite not shedding a few tears, he will be emotional.

“It feels good. It feels like home, as it should. … I know how to get over there (to the visitor’s locker room). It’s not quite as nice and friendly over there, but I’m sure afterwards I’m going to go check out my old locker.”

Earlier Mark Cuban was quoted as saying Jason Terry would be a Mav for life, potentially as a coach in the future.

“Yeah, I was going to take him up on it at the All-Star Break. but I didn’t see him. So we’ll see what he says tonight.’’

And from all of his years in Dallas, you might not be surprised about his favorite moment as a Mav.

“Obviously, it’s hoisting up the trophy. The parade, coming back in here and just being on the stage in front of all our fans. It was a memory I’ll never forget.”

And while he gets a chance to play for one of the most prestigious organizations in the NBA, it’s not the same as the journey the Mavs went on for the past decade.

“It’s fun in Boston, but Dallas is obviously a lot more special. … We (the Celtics) are in a good place. We’re fighting for a playoff positioning, and so again we are focused on getting a win.”

And it hurt’s Terry to see the Mavs and his friends Dirk Nowitzki and Shawn Marion struggle.

“It’s tough because I’m still a Mavs fan at heart,” Terry said. “But when you break up the team, that’s what happens.”

But nevertheless, Terry isn’t consumed by what could’ve been had he stayed with Dallas.

“You like to have a fight for what you earned and we didn’t get that opportunity. But I mean it’s over now, we’re past that disappointment. And we had to move on. … We probably would have gotten better. We probably would have added a couple more pieces, but it didn’t happen. You can’t cry about it now.”

But JET is going to start his AAC return by doing what made him famous here.

“The first shot is definitely going to be a 3.”

Feb 10, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics shooting guard Jason Terry (4) celebrates against the Denver Nuggets during the first half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports

One of the Dallas Mavericks most beloved players, Jason “The JET” Terry is returning to American Airlines Center tonight. The place where he had some of his best NBA years, won two Western Conference titles and one memorable NBA Championship in 2011.

So when players who’ve left and come back some times get a warm welcome and sometimes get a cold shoulder or chorus of boos when they return.

“I hope they give him a standing ovation,” said owner Mark Cuban, via ESPN Dallas. “He deserves it. He’ll be a Maverick for life. He’s part of the family.”

Most Mavs fans blame Mark Cuban for the dismantling of the Championship roster, not Terry for leaving and spurning the Mavs like fellow guard Jason Kidd.

The Maverick for life comment can be interpreted a lot of ways. Clearly he’ll be a player that will  sign a one day deal with a team to retire with an organization. But what does the “for life” mean. It could mean that it is already known that they’ll hang his “31″ in the rafters. It could mean as a coach.

“Basketball is a short part of your life, and then there’s the rest of your life,’’ Cuban said. “Hopefully, we’ll be part of Jet’s after he retires.’’

Other Mavs weighed in on JET’s return.

“He’s one of the most beloved players I think in the history of this franchise because of his personality, his relationship with the fans and the community and he was a great player,” Carlisle said. “He was a prime-time great player in the clutch. Guys like that always distinguish themselves. It’ll be emotional, I’m sure, for him and the fans and some of us that got to know him well. But we know how good he is and we’re game planning for him, too.”

“He meant so much to our franchise. Not only on the court, where, to me, he’s one of the best clutch shooters I ever played with, but also off the court. He was a great community man. Every other day, he was doing something, appearances left and right. He’s just a guy with a huge heart. I wish him all the best this season and hopefully he gets the ovation that he deserves.”