With Lillard quickly climbing the ranks of all time Blazers, it got me thinking about who's numbers should really be hanging from the rafters. Here's a list of the current retired Blazer numbers: #13 Dave Twardzik #14 Lionel Hollins #15 Larry Steele #20 Maurice Lucas #22 Clyde Drexler #30 Bob Gross #30 Terry Porter #32 Bill Walton #36 Lloyd Neal #45 Geoff Petrie I think we all agree that Walton, Lucas, Drexler, and Porter deserve to be up there. We need to clear some of the clutter currently in the rafters. Let's stick to 8 max. Who should be the next 4? Here are some nominees: #00 Kevin Duckworth, 7 seasons, 12.7 PER, 67 playoff games, 2 all-star appearances #3 Cliff Robinson, 8 seasons, 15.6 PER, 78 playoff games, 1 all-star appearance #3 Damon Stoudamire, 8 seasons, 15.2 PER, 46 playoff games #4 Jim Paxson, 9 seasons, 16.9 PER, 33 playoff games, 2 all-star appearances, 1 2nd all-NBA team #7 Brandon Roy, 5 seasons, 20.1 PER, 15 playoff games, 3 all-star appearances, 1 3rd all-NBA team, 1 2nd all-NBA team, rookie of the year #11 Arvydas Sabonis, 7 seasons, 21.2 PER, 51 playoff games #13 Dave Twardzik, 4 seasons, 14.9 PER, 25 playoff games, 1 championship #14 Lionel Hollins, 5 seasons, 14.3 PER, 28 playoff games, 1 all-star appearance, 1 championship #15 Larry Steele, 9 seasons, 12.7 PER, 27 playoff games, 1 championship #25 Jerome Kersey, 11 seasons, 15.9 PER, 91 playoff games #30 Bob Gross, 7 seasons, 14.8 PER, 25 playoff games, 1 championship #30 Rasheed Wallace, 8 seasons, 18.2 PER, 50 playoff games, 2 all-star appearances #33 Scottie Pippen, 3 seasons, 15,6 PER, 26 playoff games #36 Lloyd Neal, 7 seasons, 15.4 PER, 46 playoff games, 1 championship #45 Geoff Petrie, 6 seasons, 15.8 PER, 0 playoff games, 2 all-star appearances, rookie of the year #52 Buck Williams, 7 seasons, 13.7 PER, 74 playoff games #55 Kiki Vandeweghe, 5 seasons, 18.9 PER, 21 playoff games There are a lot of good names to choose from.
None of the above were good enough long enough and/or upheld Blazers pride well enough to deserve it.
Totally agree with Clyde, Bill, Luke, and TP. 77 is cool for Dr. Jack & the Championship team. But that's it IMO for who should be up there. But I agree that the newest and most deserving of the next group should be "Mercy" & Roy.
A strong argument could be made for Sabas; he's a hall of famer and only played in the NBA for Portland (even though he's not in the hall because of his time in Portland). The rest...no.
I voted Kersey not just because of his 11 seasons here but that he made his home here and was such an ambassador to the team till the end of his life.. My other vote was Sabonis...even with his knees, he was a great, great Blazer ...Shaq said he was one of his toughest matchups...the guy was special I loved Sheed ...came close to voting for him Roy lost my vote when he retired because he wanted to be able to walk and play with his children, then signed with the Wolves....and his time here was short like Pippens. Petrie gets honorable mention as well as Duckworth...Duck was also a very Portland loyal guy..just not HOF material my votes....Kersey and Sabo
Agreed. I think only Walton, Lucas, Drexler and Porter should be up there. Anyone else deserving? I think a case can be made for a couple of players on the list above..... Kersey played 91 playoff games for the Blazers during 11 seasons. Only Drexler played more years and more playoff games. Kersey also stayed around Portland and represented the team after his playing days.
Bill Walton only played 209 games as a Blazer. Fortunately part of those 209 games included an MVP season and a championship.
