One last attempt at perspective in the retiring-numbers discussion

[MarAzul]

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.

Absolutely! Bobby Gross belongs in this list for sure. There is no Blazer Championship without Bob Gross bringing his contribution.

 

[chris_in_pdx]

What POR should look into is creating a Ring of Honor like some of the other Sports Franchises do.

They already have one. Look at the rafters.

 

[Natebishop3]

You guys want to hand out numbers as a reward for winning a championship. So if we hypothetically won a title this year, do you retire #0, #12, #88, #2 and #42?

 

[rasheedfan2005]

Joel pyrzbilla should have some red and black boxing gloves in the rafters. I asked Casey to get this done in a live chat last season. I saw him hold back a laugh but he didnt read my post.

 

[THE HCP]

C'Mon Sly! Do we really need to give this tool a platform to spread his opinion?

 

[rasheedfan2005]

You guys want to hand out numbers as a reward for winning a championship. So if we hypothetically won a title this year, do you retire #0, #12, #88, #2 and #42?

Just the one that gets finals MVP.

 

[Hobbesarable]

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.

But there is a standard and that die has been cast during Allen's ownership.

 

[Rhal]

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.

This is the way i see it and the reason I wouldnt mind seeing his number retired one day.

Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk

 

[BBert]

Did you see Petrie Play?

I did. His number absolutely should be retired. If he'd had the three point line no way the rat err mouse would have touched his scoring records.

 

[BBert]

You guys want to hand out numbers as a reward for winning a championship. So if we hypothetically won a title this year, do you retire #0, #12, #88, #2 and #42?

I'm not sure anyone wants to do that. I don't. Just because they got carried away in the past is no reason to continue the insanity.

 

[julius]

I like how Dwights point is counter to Clownzanos (even if I somewhat agree with Clownzanos point). In the big picture, who cares?

There are still what, 91 #'s that can be used? (#1 has been used and I doubt #77 would be be used either way). Big deal.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

C'Mon Sly! Do we really need to give this tool a platform to spread his opinion?

What was wrong with what he said?

Last week Canzano was bitching about the fans being too easy in retiring numbers, he went on a two rant on his radio show over it and even started complaining about Lillard. Finally Jaynes takes a small break from his grumpy old man act and says what he and Canzano don't realize, it ain't that big of a deal. If it makes the fans happy what's the problem?

 

[PtldPlatypus]

But there is a standard and that die has been cast during Allen's ownership.

Again, there is no set-in-stone rule for retiring numbers. Nobody in the organization--even the owner--is required to follow in the footsteps of a poor choice.

 

[Hobbesarable]

Again, there is no set-in-stone rule for retiring numbers. Nobody in the organization--even the owner--is required to follow in the footsteps of a poor choice.

There is a standard and Sly mentioned it in a previous post. It makes the fans happy.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

There is a standard and Sly mentioned it in a previous post. It makes the fans happy.

No action makes all fans happy, so that "standard" is subjective and open to interpretation. Regardless, the organization is still not mandated to hold to a standard of "make the fans happy", so the argument is irrelevant.

Nobody disagrees that the bar for number retirement has historically been too low. However, you seem to be the only one who thinks that the Blazers are not permitted to raise it. Yes, it's your opinion, but it's wrong.

 

[Hobbesarable]

No action makes all fans happy, so that "standard" is subjective and open to interpretation. Regardless, the organization is still not mandated to hold to a standard of "make the fans happy", so the argument is irrelevant.

Nobody disagrees that the bar for number retirement has historically been too low. However, you seem to be the only one who thinks that the Blazers are not permitted to raise it. Yes, it's your opinion, but it's wrong.

Yes, you are making an irrelevant argument. I'll agree with that.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

No action makes all fans happy, so that "standard" is subjective and open to interpretation. Regardless, the organization is still not mandated to hold to a standard of "make the fans happy", so the argument is irrelevant.

Nobody disagrees that the bar for number retirement has historically been too low. However, you seem to be the only one who thinks that the Blazers are not permitted to raise it. Yes, it's your opinion, but it's wrong.

Maybe it's not a low standard, maybe we're just more appreciative of the players that played here. Maybe it's that same "low standard" is why so many former players have decided to call Portland home when their career is over. Maybe it's that same "low standard" is why year in and year out we're one of the most loudest arenas, one of the most passionate fan bases.

 

[Natebishop3]

There is a standard and Sly mentioned it in a previous post. It makes the fans happy.

It doesn't make all the fans happy. There are some fans, such as myself, who think it's ridiculous that we have so many retired numbers.

 

[Natebishop3]

Maybe it's not a low standard, maybe we're just more appreciative of the players that played here. Maybe it's that same "low standard" is why so many former players have decided to call Portland home when their career is over. Maybe it's that same "low standard" is why year in and year out we're one of the most loudest arenas, one of the most passionate fan bases.

That argument doesn't hold water because most of the retired numbers are from that championship team, no? That's just one year out of decades of basketball. I don't think retiring those numbers has anything to do with a low standard or if the players choose to stay here after retirement.

 

[julius]

It's safe to say that the last 3 players who had their #'s retired, if my memory is right, was done to appease the fan base.

Gross, Porter and Hollins, right? Totally done to appease fans.

 

[Natebishop3]

It's safe to say that the last 3 players who had their #'s retired, if my memory is right, was done to appease the fan base.

Gross, Porter and Hollins, right? Totally done to appease fans.

Gross and Porter share the same number, right?

 

[julius]

Gross and Porter share the same number, right?

si.

 

[Hobbesarable]

It doesn't make all the fans happy. There are some fans, such as myself, who think it's ridiculous that we have so many retired numbers.

Sure. You aren't going to make everyone happy. In general, it is intended as a celebration and let the fans join the experience. The actual number retirement makes some fans happy (in the long term), while the celebration makes some fans happy (in the short term). I personally don't care about most of the jersey number retirements to date. Drexler and Porter are the exceptions. I was quite happy their numbers were retired and put into the rafters.

 

[maxiep]

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.

This. You could also make a case for TP, but Sheed also accomplished quite a bit in it as well as the original #30--Bobby Gross.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

That argument doesn't hold water because most of the retired numbers are from that championship team, no? That's just one year out of decades of basketball. I don't think retiring those numbers has anything to do with a low standard or if the players choose to stay here after retirement.

We're a unique, passionate fan base. That is the only standard that we have set.

 

[maxiep]

You guys want to hand out numbers as a reward for winning a championship. So if we hypothetically won a title this year, do you retire #0, #12, #88, #2 and #42?

I know it was credited to Dr. Jack, but I always liked the idea of retiring #77 to celebrate the championship.

 

[Natebishop3]

We're a unique, passionate fan base. That is the only standard that we have set.

Yes, but does that have anything to do with retiring numbers? I agree that we should show appreciation to the players, but permanently retiring a number is not the best way unless that player was a once-in-a-generation talent. Guys like Walton and Drexler meet the requirement, and Roy would have as well if he would have stayed healthy, but I don't call Luke a once-in-a-generation.

 

[jlprk]

How about they start unretiring numbers?

That's what I was thinking. They can't complain after they die or become paralyzed in bed long-term. Wait till then.

This is why uniforms became baggier 20 years ago. No one wants to see 3-digit numbers on skinny players.

 

[MarAzul]

I did. His number absolutely should be retired. If he'd had the three point line no way the rat err mouse would have touched his scoring records.

Perhaps you are correct Bert. Petrie was the most skilled basketball play to wear a Blazer uniform.
No way to prove it with stats but I do believe he was the best shooter to wear the blaze and possible in the NBA.

He dominated the NBA one on one contest so completely, that no NBA player wanted to compete again. That was the end of that competition. Like Clyde Frasier said, "No, I don't need to be humiliated again!".

 

[PapaG]

what difference does it make?

Nobody died, at least. I think some people are more wrapped up in nonsense like who gets a number retired than they are about things that actually matter.