I started a similar thread in the History Forum, but this one is about active players. What active players have done enough to have their jersey's retired by a team in the NBA? Please don't say Lebron, since he has yet to play even half a season, or anyone like that. Post someone who has made a legit impact on a franchise, like AI or Duncan, someone who if they stopped playing today would have their jersey retired anyway, based on their current contributions. List the guy and team(s) which should retire his number. Here are a few guys who I think merit the honor: Scottie Pippen - Bulls Karl Malone - Jazz Gary Payton - Sonics Shaquille O'Neal - Magic & Lakers Tim Duncan - Spurs Allen Iverson - Sixers Kobe Bryant - Lakers Jason Kidd - Nets Chris Webber - Kings
I believe Grant Hill did enough in his tenure with the Pistons to grant a jersey retirement. It's too bad the playoff success didn't follow him or else he would be a shoe-in I think. The man literally gave an ankle trying to make the team advance in the playoffs.
I actually don't think Jason Kidd's number should be retired. Don't get me wrong, he is good, but he has played with 3 different teams, so I don't know if I would retire his number for just the Nets, or at all.
If Horny can get his number retired by the Jazz for helping them reach 2 straight NBA Finals, why not Kidd? Plus Kidd will put in more years with the Nets, it is where he will have spent the majority of his career. Raise it
I would say Vince Carter...not because what he has accomplished, but because he has meant so much to that franchise as far as marketablity. Discounting Stoudimire's two seasons (?) in Toronto, Vince has been their only Franchise player in their short history.
If Vince has 2 or 3 more seasons at the top of his game, and the Raptors do reasonably well in the playoffs, I wouldn't be surprised if Carter gets his number retired simply because, as you said, what he has done for the franchise. However as of now he won't. I don't think Shaq will get his Magic number retired either, but he's a shoe-in for the Lakers. Paul Pierce is almost a certainty for jersey retirement when he's done, and there's no way he'll be let out of Boston short of the management kicking and screaming. Here are some names that I feel could be future recipients (based as much on what I think they'll achieve in the future as they have as of now): Yao Ming Steve Francis Shawn Marion Jermaine O'Neal Peja Stojakovic To me Jason Kidd falls under the same category as Dikembe Mutombo with the Nuggets. They both played for a few different teams, but both did so much in their time at Denver and New Jersey respectively.
Zo with the heat. He took them to the Eastern Conference finals, once. And he led them to the playoffs every year he was 100%.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting twolvefan11:</div><div class="quote_post">I think Garnett's number will be retired from the Wolves</div> I agree on the KG nod. I can't go with Chris Webber though.
Yao Ming I think will get his jersey retired as a Rocket when he retires. Houston will do all in their power to keep Yao here for his entire NBA career. When he reaches his prime he will be the most dominant big man in the game. Stevie Francis also might get his jersey retired in H-Town, that is if he stays in Houston for quite some time. He was dubbed "The Franchise" when he came to the Rockets. Now that Yao is here, he will not be considered the main piece of the organization but he will definetly be considered the number two. Him and Yao will probably win a few rings together in the coming years. I think that combo might turn out to be a Shaq/Kobe or Jordan/Pippen combo.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting starman85:</div><div class="quote_post"> Here are a few guys who I think merit the honor: Scottie Pippen - Bulls Karl Malone - Jazz Gary Payton - Sonics Shaquille O'Neal - Magic & Lakers Tim Duncan - Spurs Allen Iverson - Sixers Kobe Bryant - Lakers Jason Kidd - Nets Chris Webber - Kings</div> I think Jason Kidd, Kobe would have to play a lil longer with their teams before they got their number retired. Malone, Pippen, Payton are the obvious, since they have played in the L for quite sometime. I believe Shaq and Duncan have done enought with their respective teams to have their numbers retired. Iverson is Philly, I believe if he retired today he would get his number reitred as well. Nothing short of a couple championships will get Webber's numbers retired. I dont see why he would have his number retired there. Garnett could reitre today as well and have his number go with him. He was the first Timberwolves franchise, holds pretty much ever single club record. So he would havta be retired.
Dirk Nowitzki, if he stays with the Mavs. He's done a great deal for that team, and he'll do a lot more in the future.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting BigMemo:</div><div class="quote_post">Dirk Nowitzki, if he stays with the Mavs. He's done a great deal for that team, and he'll do a lot more in the future.</div> We can play this game all night... If Marbury, Francis, McGrady, Carter, Peja ect ect stay with their team longer then they will have their number retired. Thats assuming to much... It should be... if they reitred today or a year or two... not if he accomplishs what he already has for 5 more years.
Vince Carter - Toronto Iverson - Philly... D.U.H.!! Scottie Pippen - Chicago Karl Malone - Utah Shaq - L.A. Timmy D. - San Antonio JKidd - Jersey Webb - Sac Gary Payton - Seattle
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Skip:</div><div class="quote_post">Webb - Sac </div> Webber but no Garnett. Truley Sad.
You have to keep in mind that, lead by Webber, a perpetually losing franchise(much like the Clips) has been a consistent winner for going on six years. I think he'll get some love for that. I think Kobe and JKidd could get theirs retired even if they retired today. Remember, Kobe was the #2 piece on a trio of titles. That's basically what Big Game James did, but he was #3, and he got his retired. And Kidd brought the most success to the franchise since their ABA days. lol, I forgot about Reggie.
