Link <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>The Texas Longhorns will retire the jersey of Oklahoma City forward Kevin Durant, according to a report by columnist Tim Griffin from ESPN. "We've given this a lot of thought over the years," Texas athletic director DeLoss Dodds said Friday. "With the completion of renovations at our football and baseball stadiums, as well as Kevin joining T.J. (Ford) as a national player of the year, we feel that now is the right time to honor some of the greatest of our really great players."</div> I don't know. Does he deserve it? He only played one year there.
Why not? He had more impact in his one year than a lot of players had in four years. Magic Johnson has a statue, and he only played two years at Michigan State. What I do wonder though is if Gibson has his jersey retired. Congrats to Durant, he deserves it.
I'm on the fence about this as well. Although he was dominant did he do anything to improve the team? He didn't take them far in the Tournement and his teammates were just as crucial to the team. I can see if he pulled a Melo and lead his team to a title, but one season...no tourney run? Hmmmm...no knock on him, good year...but....
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (NattaNerNuttaMan @ Jul 19 2008, 01:28 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I'm on the fence about this as well. Although he was dominant did he do anything to improve the team? He didn't take them far in the Tournement and his teammates were just as crucial to the team. I can see if he pulled a Melo and lead his team to a title, but one season...no tourney run? Hmmmm...no knock on him, good year...but....</div> You know, now that I put more thought into it, college basketball is all about the team, not the individual, and from that perspective, he doesn't deserve to have his jersey retired, and if anything, Augustin deserves more credit for carrying on the team's legacy even with Durant out of the equation. Melo won a title, Magic won a title, etc. Still, as a Player of the Year, you'd think you'd have your jersey retired.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Voodoo Child @ Jul 19 2008, 02:34 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (NattaNerNuttaMan @ Jul 19 2008, 01:28 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I'm on the fence about this as well. Although he was dominant did he do anything to improve the team? He didn't take them far in the Tournement and his teammates were just as crucial to the team. I can see if he pulled a Melo and lead his team to a title, but one season...no tourney run? Hmmmm...no knock on him, good year...but....</div> You know, now that I put more thought into it, college basketball is all about the team, not the individual, and from that perspective, he doesn't deserve to have his jersey retired, and if anything, Augustin deserves more credit for carrying on the team's legacy even with Durant out of the equation. Melo won a title, Magic won a title, etc. Still, as a Player of the Year, you'd think you'd have your jersey retired. </div> I just think that if Durant gets his jersey retired then D.J. should too...or is the school gonna wait until D.J. shows something in the NBA or gets ROY before they annouce it....
He was ridicliously popular there and had a legendary season. No problem in my mind. Get used to seeing more of this btw, freshman leaving for one season and then having their jersey's retired, I'm sure Beasley could be next.
I think the only person from last year worthy of having their jersey's retired is Hansbrough. The TEAM has always been in a top 5 position since he joined UNC. Not only that, he's been there for three years and will finish there next year. Even though I'm not the BIGGEST fan of him, I see him as the only true college great right now who is worthy of such an honor as a retired jersey. I think you need to do more than be an outstanding individual player for one year to obtain this honor. Just my opinion.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Real @ Jul 19 2008, 02:40 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>He was ridicliously popular there and had a legendary season. No problem in my mind. Get used to seeing more of this btw, freshman leaving for one season and then having their jersey's retired, I'm sure Beasley could be next.</div> true...there will be alot more "one-n-done" players. but just because it will be getting done, doesn't make it right. What about the player that put as much into a winning team and not put up great stats...just because he doesn't have his own shoe when/if he makes the league....I'm just saying that team sucess during his tenure should come into play...even more so if he's a one-n-done. As far as it looks...he put up great stats for "himself" and brought attention to the school....but it didn't translate into a great season. Like I said before...with the likes of Melo...he psuhed his team as well as put up stats...and was able to put his team on his shoulders when they needed it...in the tourney. But ultimatly it's the programs call and if they think after one season of great "personal' play that he deserves it over other less flashy but more deserving players...then by all means...milk your cash-cow just a lil bit more...lol
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (NattaNerNuttaMan @ Jul 19 2008, 01:51 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Real @ Jul 19 2008, 02:40 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>He was ridicliously popular there and had a legendary season. No problem in my mind. Get used to seeing more of this btw, freshman leaving for one season and then having their jersey's retired, I'm sure Beasley could be next.</div> true...there will be alot more "one-n-done" players. but just because it will be getting done, doesn't make it right. What about the player that put as much into a winning team and not put up great stats...just because he doesn't have his own shoe when/if he makes the league....I'm just saying that team sucess during his tenure should come into play...even more so if he's a one-n-done. As far as it looks...he put up great stats for "himself" and brought attention to the school....but it didn't translate into a great season. Like I said before...with the likes of Melo...he psuhed his team as well as put up stats...and was able to put his team on his shoulders when they needed it...in the tourney. But ultimatly it's the programs call and if they think after one season of great "personal' play that he deserves it over other less flashy but more deserving players...then by all means...milk your cash-cow just a lil bit more...lol </div> I agree with your statement that it's the program's call. It's not about Durant vs. Hansbrough. It's about how important Durant was to Texas, and only Texas. To some of these schools, jerseys are retired all the time, and some are more exclusive. You also have to consider the impact the player had on the community. Durant created more buzz for Texas basketball than Ford, Aldridge, and Augustin, and he should be credited for that.
BTW, FWIW Durant is going back to school to pursue a degree in Education with a minor in Social Work this summer.
Well, I can't really be against this. I'm 110% for retiring Carmelo's jersey after one year, since he got SU a title...so I'd have no problem retiring Durant's after such a great season.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Real @ Jul 19 2008, 03:51 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>BTW, FWIW Durant is going back to school to pursue a degree in Education with a minor in Social Work this summer.</div> Was going to mention this, i bet THIS is why they will retire it. Since he came back to school, though not to play basketball.
