One last attempt at perspective in the retiring-numbers discussion

[SlyPokerDog]

Let me make a couple more quick points about that discussion on Talkin Ball about retiring Trail Blazers jersey numbers.

First off, as I said on the show -- I really don't care whose number gets retired. It's a fan thing, a player thing and overall, it matters so very little in the overall scheme of things. Retire 20 numbers if you want, it will still leave about 80 of them left before you have to go to triple digits on the uniform.

Lastly, the standards for retiring numbers in Portland have been inconsistent over the years. Impulsive, too. But that's what happens in a smaller NBA city that's won just one championship. Everyone is looking for heroes, right? That's fine.

But a point I never got to in the discussion on TV is that even though some players are more difficult than others to justify a jersey retirement, there is still a common denominator for those players.

All of them, with one notable exception, either won a championship with the Trail Blazers or played for a championship. The one exception is Geoff Petrie, but he's a different story as the first player drafted by the franchise, the first all-star, the first rookie of the year, an NBA one-on-one champion (now THAT contest would be fun to bring back) and eventually one of the most successful general managers in team history.

Brandon Roy played five seasons with the Trail Blazers, but in the last one injuries limited him to 47 games. He had one terrific playoff game in Portland's first-round exit that season at the hands of Dallas -- but it came on the heels of public complaints about playing time that didn't come off well with some in the organization. Roy had scored just two points, total, in the first two games of that series.

Remember, there were others with retired numbers who did not have long, extended careers in Portland. But they won championships and that certainly leaves a legacy that first-round exits don't match. And just to add a little perspective, too, there are still Blazers such as Jerome Kersey, Buck Williams and Clifford Robinson who could make a case for their shirt hanging in the rafters, too.

I think at some point, Roy's No. 7 will make it to the top of the Moda Center arena. Good for him and his fans frankly, what difference does it make?

http://www.csnnw.com/blazers/one-last-attempt-perspective-retiring-numbers-discussion

 

[SlyPokerDog]

I agree with Dwight's take on this vs Canzano's.

In the big picture of things it doesn't really matter how many numbers are retired.

 

[BBert]

There is no way Roy should have his number retired. That's just stupid. It isn't his fault his career was cut short by injury, but the reality is he accomplished absolutely nothing to warrant that. Bowie would have likely won championships in Portland too, and had his number retired, were it not for injuries. No one is suggestion he should have his number retired for what might have been. Why is this a news topic? Are there really people who think Roy should have his number retired?

 

[KeepOnRollin]

POR can retire all the Jerseys they want. That I agree with. If you are asking me personally if I think Roy's number should be retired? Then I say no. What POR should look into is creating a Ring of Honor like some of the other Sports Franchises do. Roy should be placed in that.

 

[BlazerWookee]

Mmmmmmnnnnnnnnturtle...

 

[rasheedfan2005]

I don't think Roy earned a retired number, sure he brought some great memories but we never had a deep playoff run with him. If we win the championship this year we can retire everyone's jersey

 

[BlazerWookee]

If Roy had stayed retired, I could absolute see hanging #7 in the rafters. Signing a contract with another team under the circumstances, AFAIC, is a deal killer for me.

But it's not like I'd protest or anything.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

Roy single-handedly swept the bitter taste of the Jail Blazer era out of Portland. He came in and became the face of the franchise that had lost it's way. He is the foundation of where we are today as a franchise. Before Roy the entire organization was in chaos. The Rose Garden was bankrupt. Paul Allen had put the team for sale. Roy ignited the fire back in the owner and the city.

Who knows where the Blazers would be it today without Roy. He is one of the most influential players in this franchise's history.

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

Roy should not be retired. He had a good run with the team and was one of my favorites, but we shouldn't set the bar so low.

 

[Natebishop3]

Realistically, there should probably only be two numbers retired:

Drexler
Walton

You might be able to make a case for Luke, but I don't think Twardzik, Neal, Petrie, or Steele should be on the list.

 

[BBert]

Roy single-handedly swept the bitter taste of the Jail Blazer era out of Portland. He came in and became the face of the franchise that had lost it's way. He is the foundation of where we are today as a franchise. Before Roy the entire organization was in chaos. The Rose Garden was bankrupt. Paul Allen had put the team for sale. Roy ignited the fire back in the owner and the city.

Who knows where the Blazers would be it today without Roy. He is one of the most influential players in this franchise's history.

If anyone cleaned house and restored a more Portland friendly franchise, it was Nate McMillan and the rest of Blazers management. If Roy hadn't been the featured player, it would have been someone else.

 

[Natebishop3]

Roy single-handedly swept the bitter taste of the Jail Blazer era out of Portland. He came in and became the face of the franchise that had lost it's way. He is the foundation of where we are today as a franchise. Before Roy the entire organization was in chaos. The Rose Garden was bankrupt. Paul Allen had put the team for sale. Roy ignited the fire back in the owner and the city.

Who knows where the Blazers would be it today without Roy. He is one of the most influential players in this franchise's history.

So what you're saying is.... we should retire Danny Ainge's number because he gift wrapped us Roy?

 

[HomerLovesKoolAid]

I get both sides of this, but if they retired #s for guys like Dave Twardzik and Larry Steele the consistent thing would be to retire Roy's. I think Roy had a bigger impact on the team.

 

[BBert]

Realistically, there should probably only be two numbers retired:

Drexler
Walton

You might be able to make a case for Luke, but I don't think Twardzik, Neal, Petrie, or Steele should be on the list.

You're wrong man!!!1!!1!



If I had a vote, I'd add Petrie for sure, and Luke.

 

[BBert]

I notice nobody ever suggests adding my favorite Blazer from the championship run: Bobby Gross.

Twardzik, Neal, and Steele, but no Bobby? It just ain't right, man.

The Bert does not abide.

 

[Natebishop3]

You're wrong man!!!1!!1!



If I had a vote, I'd add Petrie for sure, and Luke.

Don't get me wrong, I think we should do something similar to the Yankees and have a Blazers hall of fame, but I think we should only retire the numbers of HOF caliber players. Mo was really good, but he didn't play here that long and his numbers were only really good for a couple seasons.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/l/lucasma01.html

At this stage, would you retire LA's number?

 

[Charcoal Filtered]

Who knows where the Blazers would be it today without Roy. He is one of the most influential players in this franchise's history.

I think it is a huge exaggeration to say Roy saved basketball in Portland. By this standard, you might as well give rings to every player in the league after the final game is played.

I second the ring of honor suggestion. The bar is set far too low for number retirement.

 

[Charcoal Filtered]

At this stage, would you retire LA's number?

If Roy gets his, LA should get his retired even before he stops playing and Damian should lock his up by the end of next year if not sooner.

How about they start unretiring numbers?

 

[Natebishop3]

If Roy gets his, LA should get his retired even before he stops playing and Damian should lock his up by the end of next year if not sooner.

How about they start unretiring numbers?

That would never happen. At this stage, I think the team is going to be much more careful about retiring numbers.

 

[BBert]

Don't get me wrong, I think we should do something similar to the Yankees and have a Blazers hall of fame, but I think we should only retire the numbers of HOF caliber players. Mo was really good, but he didn't play here that long and his numbers were only really good for a couple seasons.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/l/lucasma01.html


At this stage, would you retire LA's number?

I totally get the Lucas argument. Kind of like the Roy argument. Sentimental favorite, etc. But Lucas won a championship and is one of the most beloved Blazers ever.

I would not retire LaMarcus. Like Roy, he's done nothing to warrant it. If he plays here 15 years and wins a couple championships, ala Tim Duncan, then of course it would be a no brainer. Today: it's also a no-brainer for me (no).

 

[Wheels]

I dont even care if Dwight is remotely close to right. I take back every rep point I've ever given you Sly, all for posting thoughts of that Factory Reject Dildo Jaynes.

 

[BBert]

If Roy gets his, LA should get his retired even before he stops playing and Damian should lock his up by the end of next year if not sooner.

I agree. Such a low bar, it removes all meaning.

 

[HomerLovesKoolAid]

I agree. Such a low bar, it removes all meaning.

I don't know if the bar is that low......think of all the years and all the players that have played for the Blazers. About 10 #s retired so far (guessing), and if Roy, LMA and Lillard end up getting #s retired it doesn't seem to be too high of a %.

 

[BBert]

I don't know if the bar is that low......think of all the years and all the players that have played for the Blazers. About 10 #s retired so far (guessing), and if Roy, LMA and Lillard end up getting #s retired it doesn't seem to be too high of a %.

I seriously hope LaMarcus and Lillard get their numbers retired. Just not this year. Let them earn it with a few playoff runs.

 

[BigGameDamian]

Roy, Oden?

 

[Natebishop3]

Roy, Oden?

I agree. We should retire Greg's number so we never have to see it again.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

I agree. We should retire Greg's number so we never have to see it again.

Sure, as long as "Williams" is on the jersey.

 

[Hobbesarable]

Roy should not be retired. He had a good run with the team and was one of my favorites, but we shouldn't set the bar so low.

Too late for that. The precedent was set when some of the questionable jersey numbers were retired.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Too late for that. The precedent was set when some of the questionable jersey numbers were retired.

No, it's not too late for that. Just because things have been done a certain way before doesn't mean that the franchise is beholden to that same standard.

 

[MarAzul]

Realistically, there should probably only be two numbers retired:

Drexler
Walton

You might be able to make a case for Luke, but I don't think Twardzik, Neal, Petrie, or Steele should be on the list.

Did you see Petrie Play?