When the Mavs won it all, Jason Kidd was 37 years old and not nearly the player he once was. He averaged 8.2 AST/g and had a AST% of 35.4 during the regular season. Those number dipped slightly to 7.3 AST/game and 32.7 AST% during the playoffs. Last season, Mo Williams, playing with far less talented teammates posted almost identical AST numbers (7.2 AST/game, AST% = 33.2) to what Kidd posted during the 2010-11 playoffs. The key to Dallas winning it all wasn't Jason Kidd's passing, it was the fact that the Mavs had some really great shooters. Dirk shot .460 from 3-point range during the playoffs. Jason Terry 3FG% = .442, DeShawn Stevenson 3FG% = .397, Peja Stojakovic 3FG% = .377, and even Jason Kidd 3FG% = .374. And again, Mo Williams regular season 2012-13 with 3FG% = .383 compares very favorably with Jason Kidd 2010-11 playoffs. I still don't get why you're so butt hurt about this signing. The Blazers just added a veteran PG who can shoot and pass, has a lot of playoff experience and will be a great backup to Damian Lillard. The two can also play together for 5 or 6 minutes a game to let Damian play off the ball. Remember how well Damian played off the ball when he was paired with Eric Maynor? He'll be even better in that role paired with Mo Williams. This was such a good signing. I just don't understand how anyone could see it as a negative. If nothing else, it proves to LaMarcus Aldridge that this team is NOT in rebuilding mode. BNM
Still. Too soon for that. And it's not like 7 is Mo's #. He has worn 25, 2, and 5 throughout his career. Why 7 now?
2 is Wessy, 5 is Barton, and 25 must be one of the new acquisitions... probably Earl Watson, who used to wear 25.
Roy ABSOLUTELY warranted a retired number. Until he signed with another team. Had he bowed out and stayed out, #7 would have been hanging from the rafters already.
I've never understood the concept of retiring numbers. Given the limited quantity of numerals that fit on jerseys, it seems like it would only be a matter of time before they're used up. Seems to me that it would be equally honoring to hang the jersey with the player's name, but to continue to allow the number to be used by other players.
Olshey is a friggin' magician, nuff said. Question is, can he continue this success long-term once he's further removed from his AAU days and has no connection to all the 30 year olds?
I realize that Mo Lucas was part of a title team, but he only played 4.5 years for the Blazers, which includes one year at the end of his career. Dave Twardzik only played for the Blazers for 4 seasons...
I'm in awe at what Olshey has accomplished in only about 2 months. I thought Whitsitt was good, but Olshey has gotten us some very good players without giving up anything. I can see us winning 15 to 20 more games this season.
Precedent has been set in Portland to retire jerseys for no reason. Dave Twardzik played 4 seasons for the team and was lucky to play one of them with a healthy Lucas and Walton. For that, his number is retired.
I understand, but many argue that those players shouldn't have received retired numbers. Even Walton didn't play long enough to warrant one; although he was the only superstar on this team that lead his team to a title. Maybe there is a little bump for the title I guess.
If Dave Twardzik got his number retired, maybe Roy should as well. I'm not sure about it, though, and the only reason I consider it is because of Portland's history of retiring numbers. I doubt many people outside of Portland have heard of Dave Twardzik as a player, he's better known as a front office type; but Roy was well-known even outside of NBA circles. Twardzik retired from injuries after the 1980 season after playing only 4 years; Roy has him beat on years of playing. I'm 50/50 on retiring #7, but I have no issue with Williams wearing #7.
