People are completely against retiring Tmac's number but want Mutombo's number retired. Great player yes, but for us he was a backup
IMHO, the major criteria for retiring a player's number is that they contributed something of significance to a franchise. They elevated their franchises with championships or greatness or contributed to the success of the franchise over a period of time. Mutumbo doesn't come close to meeting that criteria.
Atlanta already announced they are going to retire his number later this year. I think Denver probably will, too.
Didn't know that, but I do understand their point. That was a championship team. The team with Mutombo wasn't anything close to that. Fun team to watch, tho... just a mediocre team with the injuries.
I found this quote from Elvin Hayes-- I feel like he deserves his number retired here more than anyone, but the Rockets just were respecting his wishes.
Playing Devil's Advocate... What type of criteria qualifies Rockets-version-of-Deke to have his jersey retired? Likeability? Rebounds? Blocks?
great list. i'd add battier, scola, mobley, horry, cassell, and elie. deke is in the list of all time fan favorites like sura and hayes. i don't think anyone of the names you or i mentioned honestly deserves a retired jersey. to get a retired jersey you should have at least 1 of the following criteria: 1) responsible for a rockets championship (not as a role player) 2) MVP as a rocket 3) hall of fame as a rocket 4) long tenure as rockets star (10 years?)
i might change my view on yao. i do believe he deserves, and will get in to, the hall of fame. if/when that happens, i think he deserves a retired jersey since i think any rocket in the hall deserves a retired jersey.
If retiring a jersey number was based on likeability, I would retire Mutombo's number in a heartbeat! ...but it's not. So no.
