Give Melo #7

[Big Dog]

I loved BRoy in his "prime" Blazer years. The shine wore off when I learned how he treated Andre Miller, amongst other things. BRoy was not a leader, at least not one that could endure any sort of adversity. He came to symbolize this "age of Blazer culture" because he told ZBo not to be a dick. And then he played basketball. Astonishing accomplishments. This otherworldly appreciation of him is CLEARLY undeserved. Retire his number?!? It is pathetic and embarrassing that the Blazers would even consider it. Give Melo his goddamn jersey number already.

From my understanding is that any jersey number that isn't retired is available for a player to be chosen so the reason might be that out of respect for Roy, no player has asked for it?

 

[blazedanugz]

Roy attended one game in all the Dame years.....he lives right up the road...it's more like Roy has abandoned the team than the fans abandoning him....Paul Allen offered BRoy a job when he medically retired with the organization...he didn't take the job and left....hence...fans put him in the rear view mirror.....that's not on fans in my view...I was a fan with or without BRoy...he didn't bring me back as a fan because I never left. I loved his game and appreciate what he brought...not the way he went out though...

Well kudos for sitting through the years with Darius miles and Theo Ratliff. I commend you.
The guy had just had his passion taken from him...maybe he didn’t want a job in the organization? Just because you’re offered a job doesn’t mean it’s something you want to do especially when you’re set for life.
There are tons of guys that don’t return to the team after they’ve retired. My point is Roy brought the city of Portland’s attention back to the organizatikn(except for you and some others I guess). A majority called him the “savior” of the franchise. He meant more to the city than the average superstar. There are guys up in the rafters that absolutely do not deserve to be up there

 

[Propagandist]

Well kudos for sitting through the years with Darius miles and Theo Ratliff. I commend you.
The guy had just had his passion taken from him...maybe he didn’t want a job in the organization? Just because you’re offered a job doesn’t mean it’s something you want to do especially when you’re set for life.
There are tons of guys that don’t return to the team after they’ve retired. My point is Roy brought the city of Portland’s attention back to the organizatikn(except for you and some others I guess). A majority called him the “savior” of the franchise. He meant more to the city than the average superstar. There are guys up in the rafters that absolutely do not deserve to be up there

He was not a superstar. I don't dislike BRoy but what is happening here? Should we retire LaMarcus too? His impact and contribution might be undervalued as much as BRoy's is overvalued.

 

[Propagandist]

So it goes...

 

[TBpup]

Spoken like a butthurt jilted ex.

Spoken in a recitation of what happened. Couldn't care less otherwise. Project much?

 

[blazedanugz]

He was not a superstar. I don't dislike BRoy but what is happening here? Should we retire LaMarcus too? His impact and contribution might be undervalued as much as BRoy's is overvalued.

smh forget it. You guys fight this winless argument.

 

[THE HCP]

Please merge

 

[Buffalo Custard]

Please merge

Why do you keep quoting your wife?

 

[Tince]

As much as I liked Roy the player, I never bought into the good guy reputation. He came across as phony to me, and that is reinforced by how he has distanced himself from the franchise.

Oh great, 3rd person retirement ceremonies...

I said nothing about retirement ceremonies. I just said Roy saying "I'm fine with Melo wearing #7" would take any pressure of the Blazers who might be protecting that number for some odd reason.

 

[42N8Bounce]

My family has been season ticket holders since 1974. I've watched a lot of Blazer basketball over the years. And I enjoyed watching Roy play. But I don't think his contributions to the franchise warrants his number being retired. I think being considered for that honor is a fine balance between short term achievements and long term achievements. Then of course there are the 'intangibles' like contributions to the community and 'being a nice guy'.

Here's how I currently rank the top Blazers:



Roy isn't in my top 10. The only numbers I would have retired are Drexler, Walton, and Porter.

 

[handiman]

I said nothing about retirement ceremonies. I just said Roy saying "I'm fine with Melo wearing #7" would take any pressure of the Blazers who might be protecting that number for some odd reason.

Except that that's not what you said. Read it again... I was just poking fun at the typo, with regards to how pro athletes talk.

 

[kjironman1]

I really don't see anyone "Hating" Brandon Roy. What i really hate is the word hate being thrown around when someone says something at all derogatory about anything.

I would bet you would be very hard pressed to find anyone who knows anything about the Blazers that hates Brandon Roy. We love the guy. Loved the player. Loved watching him play.
We just don't think what he did here warrants retiring his jersey and beings it isn't retired it should be fair game!

Roy should be honored that this franchise and it's fan base is having this discussion at all. But of course he isn't and he really doesn't care. If he did he would know the conversation has come up and he would respond to it.

My question is how can you be Brandon Roy who played for the Portland Trailblazers and not know Carmelo Anthony now plays for the team and usually wears #7. Then how can you be Brandon Roy who used to play for the Portland Trailblazers and not be following close enough to know this conversation is in full swing right now?

The answer is either you don't care or you simply refuse to let anyone know you care and you are going to just sit there and not respond. Either way it ain't his number any longer and he doesn't deserve us caring what he feels about it.

 

[Natebishop3]

My family has been season ticket holders since 1974. I've watched a lot of Blazer basketball over the years. And I enjoyed watching Roy play. But I don't think his contributions to the franchise warrants his number being retired. I think being considered for that honor is a fine balance between short term achievements and long term achievements. Then of course there are the 'intangibles' like contributions to the community and 'being a nice guy'.

Here's how I currently rank the top Blazers:

View attachment 35361

Roy isn't in my top 10. The only numbers I would have retired are Drexler, Walton, and Porter.

Why Porter?

 

[Natebishop3]

Roy was a really good player but holy crap this fanbase holds him up like he was Michael Jordan or LeBron. He was a run of the mill AllStar. It would like Sacramento still worshipping Mitch Richmond.

 

[-Ace-]

People so easily forget that #7 came back with Blazers preseason legend Coby Karl:

 

[42N8Bounce]

Why Porter?

Both Porter and Lucas were the 2nd best players on some tremendously talented teams. Both I think have good arguments. I just think Porter’s overall contribution to the franchise puts him in that category of retiring number 30. 3rd best WS in franchise history. 2 all-star appearances. 2 finals appearances. And seems to be an overall great guy that’s stayed connected with the franchise over the years.

 

[Natebishop3]

Both Porter and Lucas were the 2nd best players on some tremendously talented teams. Both I think have good arguments. I just think Porter’s overall contribution to the franchise puts him in that category of retiring number 30. 3rd best WS in franchise history. 2 all-star appearances. 2 finals appearances. And seems to be an overall great guy that’s stayed connected with the franchise over the years.

View attachment 35364

I love Terry and I agree with everything you said, but I'm of the mind that you only retire HOF caliber superstars.

I just don't agree with retiring numbers simply because someone was good and you have fond memories.

 

[42N8Bounce]

I love Terry and I agree with everything you said, but I'm of the mind that you only retire HOF caliber superstars.

I just don't agree with retiring numbers simply because someone was good and you have fond memories.

Yep. Totally agree with that opinion. Looking up and seeing all of those retired numbers, I sure wish they would have put stricter requirements in place.

#12 is an obvious omission at this point. (I was a big Billy Ray Bates fan)

 

[blazerkor]

1, Larry Weinberg
13, Dave Twardzik
14, Lionel Hollins
15, Larry Steele
20, Maurice Lucas
22, Clyde Drexler
30, Bob Gross
30, Terry Porter
32, Bill Walton
36, Lloyd Neal
45, Geoff Petrie
77, Jack Ramsay

Rasheed Wallace
Arvydas Sabonis
Clifford Robinson
Damon Stoudamire
Jerome Kersey
Kevin Duckworth
Sidney Wicks
Rod Strickland
Jim Paxson
Buck Williams
Mychal Thompson
LaMarcus Aldridge

The first list is obviously the numbers retired with the players who wore them best. The second list of names are guys that I think have made a bigger impact on the franchise than Roy that will likely never have their numbers' retired but should before Roy does (I'm sure I'm missing some). I like Brandon Roy, I appreciate that he gave his everything to this team and was a very good player for the short time he played here. He just didn't do enough in my opinion to put him on either of these lists and therefore it's crazy to think Melo shouldn't be able to wear the number he wore.

 

[blazerkor]

Roy was a really good player but holy crap this fanbase holds him up like he was Michael Jordan or LeBron. He was a run of the mill AllStar. It would like Sacramento still worshipping Mitch Richmond.

Yeah, if Richmond would have played two less seasons in Soc, averaged three less points per game, had a third less steals per game and just not been as good as he was as a Kings player.

 

[42N8Bounce]

1, Larry Weinberg
13, Dave Twardzik
14, Lionel Hollins
15, Larry Steele
20, Maurice Lucas
22, Clyde Drexler
30, Bob Gross
30, Terry Porter
32, Bill Walton
36, Lloyd Neal
45, Geoff Petrie
77, Jack Ramsay

Rasheed Wallace
Arvydas Sabonis
Clifford Robinson
Damon Stoudamire
Jerome Kersey
Kevin Duckworth
Sidney Wicks
Rod Strickland
Jim Paxson
Buck Williams
Mychal Thompson
LaMarcus Aldridge

The first list is obviously the numbers retired with the players who wore them best. The second list of names are guys that I think have made a bigger impact on the franchise than Roy that will likely never have their numbers' retired but should before Roy does (I'm sure I'm missing some). I like Brandon Roy, I appreciate that he gave his everything to this team and was a very good player for the short time he played here. He just didn't do enough in my opinion to put him on either of these lists and therefore it's crazy to think Melo shouldn't be able to wear the number he wore.

Solid list. Other than Sidney Wicks..

Sidney Wicks - I challenge you to find another NBA player that had their scoring average go down every single year starting from their rookie year. That's especially impressive since Wicks played for 10 seasons.
1971-72, 24.5 ppg (ROY, All-Star)
1972-73, 23.8 ppg (All-Star)
1973-74, 22.5 ppg (All-Star)
1974-75, 21.7 ppg (All-Star)
1975-76, 19.1 ppg
1976-77, 15.1 ppg
1977-78, 13.4 ppg
1978-79, 9.8 ppg
1979-80, 7.1 ppg
1980-81, 6.8 ppg

0 playoff games with the Blazers. Played in only 9 playoff games his entire career.

I'd think about retiring Steve Blake's number before I retired Sidney Wicks'.

 

[TBpup]

1, Larry Weinberg
13, Dave Twardzik
14, Lionel Hollins
15, Larry Steele
20, Maurice Lucas
22, Clyde Drexler
30, Bob Gross
30, Terry Porter
32, Bill Walton
36, Lloyd Neal
45, Geoff Petrie
77, Jack Ramsay

A little sad that some of those numbers are retired. We have the 2nd most retired numbers in the league? Serious symbolism over substance.

Walton
Drexler
(maybe Lucas because he was the #2 on a team that won a title)
(possibly Porter as he got to 2 finals as a #2)
Weinberg/Ramsay as huge parts of the franchise
....next is Dame.

Outside of that, some of those seem a little embarrassing. I might even consider one for Sabonis since he is in the Hall of Fame and played his entire NBA career here even though that is not why he is in. Internationally, he is a legend.

 

[42N8Bounce]

A little sad that some of those numbers are retired. We have the 2nd most retired numbers in the league? Serious symbolism over substance.

Walton
Drexler
(maybe Lucas because he was the #2 on a team that won a title)
(possibly Porter as he got to 2 finals as a #2)
Weinberg/Ramsay as huge parts of the franchise
....next is Dame.

Outside of that, some of those seem a little embarrassing. I might even consider one for Sabonis since he is in the Hall of Fame and played his entire NBA career here even though that is not why he is in. Internationally, he is a legend.

Yeah, I'd say Lillard is amassing a pretty good argument for retiring his number. All I ask is he add a championship to his Blazers resume.

 

[kjironman1]

Yeah, I'd say Lillard is amassing a pretty good argument for retiring his number. All I ask is he add a championship to his Blazers resume.

View attachment 35367

It's a Letter. O

 

[Natebishop3]

A little sad that some of those numbers are retired. We have the 2nd most retired numbers in the league? Serious symbolism over substance.

Walton
Drexler
(maybe Lucas because he was the #2 on a team that won a title)
(possibly Porter as he got to 2 finals as a #2)
Weinberg/Ramsay as huge parts of the franchise
....next is Dame.

Outside of that, some of those seem a little embarrassing. I might even consider one for Sabonis since he is in the Hall of Fame and played his entire NBA career here even though that is not why he is in. Internationally, he is a legend.

That's the problem. Our franchise and our fanbase seems to want to retire numbers out of nostalgia.

Roy is a perfect example. He was a good player, but give me a break... he only played here a few years and we didn't even make it out of the first round. People want to reward him for being a good player during a dark time in our franchise. But the funny thing to me is that we could have VERY easily had a dark time after LMA/Wes/Nic/Rolo left, and instead Dame has kept this team competitive. And when Dame leaves, he will arguably be the best blazer of all time. Plus, I don't think he'll leave Portland either. This is his home. He will be a part of this community for a long time.

I remember Quick sharing a long time ago that Roy changed after he became a star. I don't think anyone would say that about Dame. Lillard is everything that Roy was not. Dame is a great teammate. A great leader. A better player. A better member of the community. I remember Roy struggling with having to share the spotlight and the offense with Oden.

I have some very fond memories of Roy as a Blazer, but the rose colored glasses for some folks are a little absurd.

 

[Orion Bailey]

Roy who?

great breakdown @blazerkor.

 

[Buffalo Custard]

Petrie deserves to be there. On paper his credentials are very similar to Roy, but anybody who watched the Blazers in the very begining knows how important he was in giving the expansion Blazers credibility.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

They should do a "hall of fame" sorta thing for the Blazer players that mean something, instead of retiring as many as they did (although truthfully, outside of the weird retiring so many players from the title team cept for Johnny Davis, they've only retired 3 jerseys).

They'll never unretire #'s, but realistically, Drexler, Walton, Lucas and Porter are probably the only players who should have their #'s retired, maybe Petrie's too.

I've thought for years that the Blazers should have a "Ring of Honor" like the Cowboys do.

 

[TBpup]

I've thought for years that the Blazers should have a "Ring of Honor" like the Cowboys do.

That would be much better and leave the 'retired' numbers for people who really deserve it.

 

[santeesioux]

That's the problem. Our franchise and our fanbase seems to want to retire numbers out of nostalgia.

Roy is a perfect example. He was a good player, but give me a break... he only played here a few years and we didn't even make it out of the first round. People want to reward him for being a good player during a dark time in our franchise. But the funny thing to me is that we could have VERY easily had a dark time after LMA/Wes/Nic/Rolo left, and instead Dame has kept this team competitive. And when Dame leaves, he will arguably be the best blazer of all time. Plus, I don't think he'll leave Portland either. This is his home. He will be a part of this community for a long time.

I remember Quick sharing a long time ago that Roy changed after he became a star. I don't think anyone would say that about Dame. Lillard is everything that Roy was not. Dame is a great teammate. A great leader. A better player. A better member of the community. I remember Roy struggling with having to share the spotlight and the offense with Oden.

I have some very fond memories of Roy as a Blazer, but the rose colored glasses for some folks are a little absurd.

I see a lot of people like that on Twitter, and get the feeling they're younger and haven't been fans of the team for more than a decade or so and really overinflate Roy's impact and missed out on the 90s teams and the early 2000s ones and didn't realize how much better it really was back in those days. Yeah he was an amazing player, but he was just that, he's no Damian or Clyde.