ok, let's say on THIS team right now, who would probably qualify for the "Ring of Honor" Not LaMarcus and Dame. If they stay as Blazers they'll be retired. So: Wes Matthews (if he resigns) Robin Lopez (if he resigns) Steve Blake (pretty much for sure) Don't really see anyone else qualifying for their stay here based on loosely defined criteria.
Eventually, if it's every year they will run out of players who would actually deserve it and go into third tier blazers who remain somewhat popular in the fanbase for whatever reason.
You bring up some good points. I think it's important that there is some sort of fan bestowed honor vs a franchise based and in some cases press based honor. In all of sports the majority of Hall of Fame's are determined by press. The very press that a lot of you disagree with and dislike. Why shouldn't fans have a way to honor players that mean or have meant a lot to them? As it applies to the Blazers I think the vast majority of fans would agree that the Blazers might have been a little quick to retire as many numbers as they have. This might be one way prevent that in the future and like you said, leave the retiring of numbers for players who have won a championship. While this current management group has been excellent it hasn't been that long ago when previous Blazer management has been disconnected and distant from the average fan. This is also a way of keeping Blazer management connected to what fans like and want. I wouldn't call it a popularity contest but you're right, as far as I know no other franchise in sports does anything like this. That doesn't mean it's a bad thing if the Blazers agree to and support this. You are big on social media, you like and use it. It's never been easier for fans to stay connected and interact on many platforms. You recently received a Tweet of the Night honor from the Blazers, so not only is it easier to interact with other fans it's also easier to interact with the franchise itself. Why not use that to give back to some of the past players that mean a lot to fans?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phoenix_Suns_Ring_of_Honor http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/PHO/numbers.html
I think the solution to this whole thing would be a point system. years played in Portland finals played in, conference or league records (the kind Lamarcus is going after) allstar or all nba achievement team USA participation, Olympics or FIBA One could assign pts per category and set a firm line for jersey retirement or ring of honor, walk of fame star, whatever
You've got to remember social media engagement is a very quick medium. The actual interaction and lasting appeal of it all is very transient. Most fans would forget, hell, the Blazers marketing staff will probably forget to do it after the first season and it'll fade away. It has to be something different I think.
The best thing to do is a NCAA Bracket style elimination. Something on the website, but something actually physical inside the Moda center won't work at all. It'll be just something extra the organization has to maintain and deal with. Lots of effort and not very much reward.
The Blazers have been very encouraging and supportive of all the ideas that have come from this forum. When Denny and I have emailed with ideas or requests they have replied very quickly and have been extremely professional. You're right, I'm a complete fucking idiot and I know they think I'm a joke but I try anyways. When I don't try Denny does. Just last week he emailed them and has gotten more swag and prizes to give out in the forum. Last night a few forum members thought it would be a great idea if the Blazers played Kersey's national anthem at tomorrow's game instead of having a live performer. I read that and immediately passed that idea on to the Blazers. Was it advice? Was it dumb? Was it something it I shouldn't have done? Don't know.
That is an organization bestowed award, not a fan based honor. I'm suggesting that a Blazer Ring of Honor be something that is fan based.
I think it's a really good idea Sly and you should be commended along with Denny and whoever for connecting the fan base to the organization. I appreciate what you guys do here and it works for me! Well done and good project to take on.
I see (the fan based thing). I was thinking about replaying Jeromes version of the National Anthem too, glad someone else thought about it. Similar to how i was glad Steve Blake gave up his #.
exactly, Blake showed a lot of heart. I had requested Mercy, mercy me to be played by Marvin Gaye. It's the first song that came into my head when I learned of his passing and it's stuck there since.
