If Roy has played his last game as a Blazer

I think Roy's jersey should be burned as the opening ceremony when the flame outside the RG finally comes back.

Roy has been a pox to the Blazers. A POX, I tell you!

 

Why Walton? Because he gave us our only title? Other than that, he only played 4 seasons as a Blazer, with his last season being an injury riddled one at that.

Roy has given us 5 years of heart and dedication. I don't remember any other Blazer having more epic shots than what Roy did, and that includes the likes of Drexler and Walton.

So as funny as anyone thinks about the "retiring of the number", but is alright with Walton; whom played on our team for less years than Roy; I think that's just as funny.

 

Walton and Drexler made the top 50 player list of all time. Retire their Jersey's. and take all the others down. Create some sort of "wall of fame " for all the others. They should be honored, but not retired.

I would put Roy up there with Lucas and Porter. One of the Blazers best of all time, but not retired jersey status. Yet.............

 

Walton shouldn't have, IMO, and wouldn't be there on an updated list. As mush as I love Bill, that was a sentimental placement, because Walton had 1.5 years of absolute greatness in the NBA, and that's it. Plus, his best PER season was barely better than Roy's, and Walton's Ortg was fairly terrible. I'd add that he only put up a sub-20 PER in the title playoff run, but ... OK, I will add it.

 

According to a vote of people in the mid-'90s. I don't think he sniffs the list at this point, and I think a player like Pippen, who was criticized at the time for being on the list, would rise in the minds of people who really know the game.

 

that person would be wrong

Walton was one of the most brilliant players I've ever seen. Sure his career was short, but when right he was dominant at a level none of those others approached. Then add in the title.

Drexler... I rest my case

I'm with the only Drexler and Walton should have their numbers retired crowd

STOMP

 

Sure, I can see that perspective, but I think there's something to be said for impact on the game. Walton made an impact on the game and is pretty embedded in the history of the NBA, in a way that Roy is not (IMO). Sure, part of that is leading a not-very-loaded Portland team to a title, but it's also the fact that he was an incredibly unique player. A center who could pass like a point guard, who could both play in the post and shoot...who could anchor a defense and start a break or lead a break or finish a break. It's very impressive. Roy was a star, but not a unique star. I think Walton burned brighter than Roy and was a more memorable part of the NBA and the Blazers.

Just my opinion, of course.

 

I'm with those who said that Bonzi was as good a scorer as Roy, and played physically bigger. Retire his number before Roy's. Roy = Bonzi at the right time and place.

 

I could see your point 100%. And Walton did have an amazing skill. I think I disagree about Roy not being a unique player in the league. He, in my opinion, was one of the most unique players in his prime. I think the thing that bothers me was the timeline of Walton and being exhaulted to a retired number. Most of his career was played on other teams.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/waltobi01.html

And to really look into it, statistically Roy has done more for the team. I'm not knocking Walton at all. But if some people laugh at Roy's number being retired, then in the same thread say that Walton deserves to, makes me laugh.

 

What made Roy unique, in your opinion? I mean, I think he was really good...but wings who are good passers and great scorers don't seem that unusual.

 

In 40 years of Blazer basketball, Drexler is the only SG we have had that is better than Roy.

 

I agree. He had tremendous ability.

 

Billy Ray Bates? Greatness for 1.5 seasons, like Walton.

 

But that's my argument. The body of work by Walton was even smaller. Yet no one cares about his jersey hung on the rafters. In fact, statistically, Roy was better than Walton in Portland. The only thing Walton has is a ring. Other than that the sample size was the same. And if it's based only on the ring, then Drexler doesn't deserve one hung on the rafters.

Now I'm not arguing Walton's number should be retired, but I think Roy did just as much for this franchise, IMO.

 

Dude was incredibly efficient personally while making his teammates better on one end and anchored the D like Hakeem on the other. During the title season at least one time a game he'd go up for a board while turning in the air so that he could uncork a 3/4 court outlet pass to a streaking Twardzic or Hollins. Curious, how old were you when the Blazers won their lone title?

Besides, a ring is the ultimate... I'm sure I'm not the only fan that cares about that well above all else. He was by far the biggest reason that was possible.

STOMP

 

hasnt done anywhere near enough imo. dreamin'

 

If you are old enough to have seen Walton play "live" for that 2 year stretch then you would know that he was one of the best players......ever! Even if it was for a very short period of time.

It's hard to describe how he dominated a game. He had great stats, but even the stats don't begin to explain how much better he made his teammates. Look at that roster he won with. Lucas was great, but none of the other did shit without him. And they DOMINATED the year after they won it. Until that fragile meat deprived body of his gave out. He is the only player I ever saw frustrate Kareem. Blazer mania began because of Bill Walton. His play was magical. It was so different than anything anyone had witnessed to that point by a center.

Because he was so good we chose Bowie over Jordan. We wanted in the worse way to duplicate that magic. But no one else has been able to duplicate it ever from that center spot. He was one of kind. And still is to this day.

It was sad the way it went down. I remember the feeling we all had when we heard he got hurt. We were all devastated. It was like someone got killed. I was a freshman at Oregon at the time and I can tell you I will never forget that night the news about his injury was first reported. The Blazers just folded after startiing out at 50-10. He was the MVP for a reason.

There will never be another Bill Walton. There is no way the sixers should have lost that series.