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. 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.
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.
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.
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...
Does anyone have a list of retirement dates? I seem to remember them stretched out over a period of time, not bunched together...
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.
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.
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.
Walton only played for the Blazers for 4 years. Take away his championship and he doesn't even come close to Roy.
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.
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.
