Should Brandon Roy's jersey be retired?

[Harry's Raincoat]

Some of you guys want to be "Supreme Ruler" and re-write history. The team HAS retired 11 numbers whether you like it or not.
Roy is worthy if you use the methodology used to decide the previous retired jersey's IMO. Same years, stats, career path, etc. as Petrie.

Also, quit talking about creating some new category, no one is having their retired jersey UN-retired by the team. That's bush league! No one is willing to have that media day!!
But, yes the team could be more selective in the future (they've been very conservative under Paul Allen BTW).

 

[RR7]

Some of you guys want to be "Supreme Ruler" and re-write history. The team HAS retired 11 numbers whether you like it or not.
Roy is worthy if you use the methodology used to decide the previous retired jersey's IMO. Same years, stats, career path, etc. as Petrie.

Also, quit talking about creating some new category, no one is having their retired jersey UN-retired by the team. That's bush league! No one is willing to have that media day!!
But, yes the team could be more selective in the future (they've been very conservative under Paul Allen BTW).

Has anyone suggested unretiring them? If so, I missed it, sorry. I think all most were saying is what you said in your last sentence, that they should be more selective going forward, not continue on with past precedent.

 

[Hobbesarable]

Some of you guys want to be "Supreme Ruler" and re-write history. The team HAS retired 11 numbers whether you like it or not.
Roy is worthy if you use the methodology used to decide the previous retired jersey's IMO. Same years, stats, career path, etc. as Petrie.

Also, quit talking about creating some new category, no one is having their retired jersey UN-retired by the team. That's bush league! No one is willing to have that media day!!
But, yes the team could be more selective in the future (they've been very conservative under Paul Allen BTW).

The current system is bush league and that created a precedent for the future. "Selective" should've started from the beginning.

 

[Duckhook]

I'd prefer to see Sabonis or Duckworth before retiring Roy's jersey...

 

[The_Lillard_King]

Why do I have a feeling that the only people that really care about Blazer numbers that are retired are limited to us Blazer fanatics . . . and even then maybe only half of us.

 

[blue9]

I'm of the opinion that only players who (a) competed in the Finals (at the very least, the Conf. Finals!) and were a catalyst for the team's success or (b) had a long (10+ years?), successful career where the vast majority of their playing years were spent with a single team and either provided the team with (1) a long history of well above average success or (2) did extremely meaningful work for the community, deserve to have their number retired.
Of course there can always be exceptions, but I think by and large this is what's key to retiring a player's number, IMO.

 

[Nikolokolus]

I'm of the opinion that only players who (a) competed in the Finals (at the very least, the Conf. Finals!) and were a catalyst for the team's success or (b) had a long (10+ years?), successful career where the vast majority of their playing years were spent with a single team and either provided the team with (1) a long history of well above average success or (2) did extremely meaningful work for the community, deserve to have their number retired.
Of course there can always be exceptions, but I think by and large this is what's key to retiring a player's number, IMO.

That's a pretty reasonable set of criteria.

 

[BoomChakaLaka]

It shouldn't just be about contributing to a championship team. What's done is done, but retiring some of those guys from the title team is a joke. A precedent has been set, it seems. But like someone mentioned, I don't know if you want to continue to make mistakes because past mistakes were made. They should create a TrailBlazers hall of fame in the stadium, and have all sorts of memorabilia in there, and then people can see Roy's jersey hang up in there, along with the title trophy, Walton's bike, JR's pop can, and a yellow hummer.

I follow the team in hopes of seeing a championship. For all I care retire Robin Jones' number! It is not a joke to retire any player from our Championship team - what are the odds any of us will see the day it happens in PDX again in our lifetime? What's it been...35 years and counting?

 

[RR7]

I follow the team in hopes of seeing a championship. For all I care retire Robin Jones' number! It is not a joke to retire any player from our Championship team - what are the odds any of us will see the day it happens in PDX again in our lifetime? What's it been...35 years and counting?

meh, we just disagree on the criteria. Retiring a jersey #, IMO, is an individual honor. You are recognizing that individual, and saying nobody should ever be allowed to wear his jersey # again, because it should always be synonymous with X. I don't think being a #5 starter, and ok contributor on a championship team falls under that. I think retired jerseys personally \should be the best of the best to have worn a jersey for that team, a very special honor. Not just hey, you helped us win a title, now nobody wears the number again. But we all have our own criteria.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

I know this is a discussion board and we're open to discuss anything, but for me this sort of thing starts to become interesting when we get to the finals, or when we're in the conference finals for multiple years.

As for Roy, I would need some convincing that he's a good guy - he screwed over the Blazers by going to the media multiple times in order to get a max-type contract when he (and especially his agent) knew his legs were trashed.

 

[HailBlazers]

That's a pretty reasonable set of criteria.

Absolutely. However it's obvious Portland doesn't follow a normal criteria. If you go with the historical Blazer criteria, Roy meets it as a Franchise cornerstone player.

we just disagree on the criteria. Retiring a jersey #, IMO, is an individual honor. You are recognizing that individual, and saying nobody should ever be allowed to wear his jersey # again, because it should always be synonymous with X. I don't think being a #5 starter, and ok contributor on a championship team falls under that.

Indeed. And is there a more well known number than #7? 22 is the only other number synonymous will the Portland TrailBlazers that I know of.

 

[KeepOnRollin]

Absolutely. However it's obvious Portland doesn't follow a normal criteria. If you go with the historical Blazer criteria, Roy meets it as a Franchise conerstone player.

I don't think that is true because if so then Duckworth would be retired. While not a franchise cornerstone he contributed to a dominate team as had better numbers then some guys who are retired.

We have tightened the grip the last 15 or so years.

 

[Nikolokolus]

Absolutely. However it's obvious Portland doesn't follow a normal criteria. If you go with the historical Blazer criteria, Roy meets it as a Franchise conerstone player.


Indeed.

The thing is, ever since they put all of those guys from the 77 team up in the rafters, they've completely toned it down and tried not to compound past mistakes by continuing to make the same mistakes.

EDIT: The original question was, "should Brandon Roy's Jersey be retired?" There were no caveats about the Blazers having a ridiculously low bar to get in. It's about whether or not you believe he's deserving on his own merits as a player.

 

[BlazerWookee]

The current system is bush league and that created a precedent for the future. "Selective" should've started from the beginning.

Shoulda, Coulda, Woulda. Get over it, already, lol...

 

[Hobbesarable]

Shoulda, Coulda, Woulda. Get over it, already, lol...

Take that back to O-Live!

 

[BlazerWookee]

You are recognizing that individual, and saying nobody should ever be allowed to wear his jersey # again, because it should always be synonymous with X.

This, and I think it applies in Brandon's case. Unless, of course, unless Coby Karl gets called up from Boise and finishes the year strong...

 

[BlazerWookee]

Does anyone have a list of retirement dates? I seem to remember them stretched out over a period of time, not bunched together...

 

[Hobbesarable]

Does anyone have a list of retirement dates? I seem to remember them stretched out over a period of time, not bunched together...

I hear google is good with searches like that.

 

[BlazerWookee]

I hear google is good with searches like that.

Don't make me come up there! <shakes fist>

 

[julius]

I'd prefer to see Sabonis or Duckworth before retiring Roy's jersey...

I was a Duckworth fan, and I was saddened by his death, but there is no way his #'s or production warrants having his number retired.

The next player who has their # retired should be the guy who is the best player on the team that wins a title or goes to the finals a few times.

 

[<-=*PdX*=->]

We need to un-retire numbers, no add to it.

 

[MickZagger]

Ideally only Walton and Clyde (and maybe Lucas and Porter?) should have their numbers retired. Just because the bar was set ridiculously low thirty odd years ago, doesn't mean that same low standard should be kept in place.

Brandon was a fine player and if he'd managed to stay healthy for another 7 or 8 years I have no doubt that he would have been right up there with Clyde and Bill, but he couldn't, so he shouldn't.

I don't agree that only HOF talent deserves to get their jersey in the rafters. But, I definitely don't think Roy should be.

 

[BBert]

As for Roy, I would need some convincing that he's a good guy - he screwed over the Blazers by going to the media multiple times in order to get a max-type contract when he (and especially his agent) knew his legs were trashed.

This. His selfishness almost crippled this franchise. Thank god for the amnesty provision.

 

[Natebishop3]

This. His selfishness almost crippled this franchise. Thank god for the amnesty provision.

I don't blame the guy. If anything, I understand wanting to get his one payday before his career ended. He more than earned that contract during his first four years.

 

[BigGameDamian]

Ok. And?

Walton only played for the Blazers for 4 years. Take away his championship and he doesn't even come close to Roy.

 

[BoomChakaLaka]

Not according to this board. But if it was me and the Blazers won the worl championship this year . . . I say retire the numbers of the whole team . . . including Williams!

Well...maybe not Williams if he never played a game...

 

[BoomChakaLaka]

Walton only played for the Blazers for 4 years. Take away his championship and he doesn't even come close to Roy.

But you can't take away that championship!

 

[Mediocre Man]

Walton only played for the Blazers for 4 years. Take away his championship and he doesn't even come close to Roy.

Add a championship and Roy deserves to be up there

 

[oldmangrouch]

Walton's jersey should be taken down...and burned....with him wearing it....and Oden used as kindling.

As for Roy, if he wants his # retired, he should talk to his current employer.

 

[BBert]

Walton only played for the Blazers for 4 years. Take away his championship and he doesn't even come close to Roy.

Obviously you weren't around before and during the Walton years. People talk about Roy like he somehow "saved" the Blazers franchise. What a crock. Management cleaned house, had some high draft picks, and the team became mediocre. Some salvation. Portland's won-loss record was abysmal until the Blazers teamed up Walton, Lucas, Gross, et al. Walton lead the Blazers past Jabbar's Lakers, Philly's Dream Team, and onto a championship. He was the leader and best player on that championship team. The following year Walton's Blazers were at one point 50-10 and killing the league -- watching that team was a thing of beauty -- before injuries decimated the team. Might a healthy Roy have been the best player and leader on a championship team featuring a healthy Greg Oden and LaMarcus Aldridge? We all thought so, didn't we. But it didn't happen. Roy was gimpy when he got here an crippled by the time he left. And so was the team. Some resurrection. It's a bummer the guy's wheels fell off. But he managed nothing to earn his number retired. Pity.