PRO: Barkley was extremely entertaining off the court. He played on exactly one very good Rockets team-- the 1997 bunch which won 57 games and nearly the Western Conference title. His community involvement in Houston was wonderful. CON: He played the bulk of his career, including its pinnacle, outside of Houston. His charitable efforts as they relate to Houston were admirable but not at all out of the ordinary for an NBA player. (I think you are mistaking some of the charitable things he did in his home state of Alabama for things he did in Houston.) All in all, I don't see a Houston resume worthy of having a jersey retired. That's really the point, which Freak touched on. Drexler is a part of Houston, and vice versa. When he returned in 1995, the celebration was equal parts excitement over acquiring Drexler and outright pride over the accomplishments of a local boy made good. I don't think there's any justification for comparing the two. I was thrilled to get Barkley, and enjoyed watching him play for the Rockets. But I don't think his time here was of the caliber that it needs immortalization.
His number will be retired simply because he is Charles Barkley and for no other reason. When you have one of the greatest players (and most visible) to ever play the game for your team, you retire his number. Also, Les has always been on his tip and it's his team. #4 will hang from the rafters.
Oh!!! Everybody cut it off. Let's see Chuckster's good and bad. (1) The Good -Supplied good intensity in low-post : Full of Muscles not BRAIN!! -Enlarged franchise popularity : Full of Showmanship -Very good depth of seniorship : Full of Audacity (2) The Bad -Sent out Horry, Cassell with three moderate power forwards(Chucky Brown, Carl Herrera, Mark Bryant) : Lack of Conscience -Induced unforgetta-bull Quitten : Lack of Clairvoyance -Frequently injuried consequently to discourage us and other players : Lack of Self-Management. (3) The Ugly - Frequently lost his famous temper on-and off-court : Absence of Tolerence. - Overtly Ripped-Off two hall of famers during in Rocks (Clyde and Quitten) : Absence of Comradeship. - Try to terminate his career by reiterating his retirement on the last game of this season : Absence of Guts! Do we really need to discard the valuable No.4 researved for more valuable young Rocks? I think historic moment is enough for Clyde and Dream. Chuckster now is already history!! (If he sincerely contribute his another year for Rocks next season, we will give it a full consideration.. )
I'm all for retiring #4. I think he was here long enough and performed well enough to deserve it, championship or not. ------------------ Proud Cheerleader 'til we move to New Orleans 302
I think there is as good a case for retiring Barkley's number as there is for retiring Elvin Hayes' number.
Good for you, JT. I think the moon is made from green cheese. Would you like to explain your position?
I'm all for retiring Barkley as a rocket. He was definitely something special, and I would think you would want to associate that with your team. Years from now, I believe he will be conidered one of the greatest sports figures of all time, and I'd like to have people think of him as a Rocket then, too. Oh, and The Freak; Drexler went to the 50 greatest wearing a Rocket's jersey, and has already stated publicly he will go into the HOF as a Houston Rocket. Just an FYI. ------------------ "I would like to thank... everyone... for their contriboootions" Hakeem accepting his MVP award at the 1999-2000 NBA Finals.
LOL. What? You mean you don't get it BK? My heavily veiled point is that Elvin's stay with the Rockets was comparable to Barkley's despite the fact that he was on worse team and played primarily when the team was in San Diego. Elvin put up some great numbers as well. If Barkley deserves to have his number retired based on his contribution to the Rockets then so does Elvin. In other words, I don't think Barkley's number should be retired. PS. Your wrong about the moon. It isn't green cheese at all. I remember watching the first landing there with my grade school class. We, like NASA, were all disappointed. ;-) [This message has been edited by JT (edited February 03, 2000).]
Drexler may have worn his Rocket uni, but he wore a Blazer jacket. I thought he stated he would go into the HOF as a Blazer? ------------------ Proud Cheerleader 'til we move to New Orleans 302
I HATED Charles Barkley. Right up there with Malone at one time. I thought he was an overweight, no heart loser who just talked to much. Then, he came here. I still hated him. I hated him for coming here and killing team chemistry. I hated him for losing Sam Cassell. But as the years went on, as he continued to out-rebound and will us to victory when Dream or Clyde couldn't, I started to admire him. So much so that I can't help but to wonder why I hated him in the first place. He sacrificed alot for this team. I think you could argue he was our MVP the last 2 years. Last years run against LA was worth praising. While Dream struggled, he waxed their behind with accurate passes, and dominating low-post play. When the Franchise came here, he immidiately took him under his wing. Not to mention, he was the emotional leader that led this team. His only mistake was bringing Pippen here. So I ask you. Should we retire his number 4 one day? The man never won a championship here, but I think for the sacrifice he gave during his last years here, he deserves it. He carried this team on sheer will most of the time. And, most of all, was extremely loyal to Rudy T, to the team and to the city. Should we retire his number also? Number 4 up there with Clyde and Dream? ------------------ Live Rocketball. Breathe Rocketball. Die with Rocketball. [This message has been edited by Almu (edited February 03, 2000).]
As much as I like Charles, I say: No. Retiring Clyde's number is very debatable in itself, but at least: 1. He won a title with/for us; 2. He is a native Houstonian. Charles has neither. So, the answer is no. Sailor
I think Clyde's number is being retired as much for his UH career as his Rocket career. Remember, he wore a Blazer uniform at the 50 greatest player thing, and I would imagine he'll go into the Hall of Fame as a Blazer. Had he not gone to UH, I don't think the Rockets would've retired his number. Charles has always said he's a Sixer. He was a great Rocket, but for a very short time, and not bringing the city a ring doesn't help either.
I do agree as well. I think most Houston fans didn't care for him when he first came here. Since we had to get rid of Horry and Cassell. I do believe that he earned our respect, but busting his butt every game. He also made the game so entertaining for Houston Fans. What he has done as far as the mentoring is completely awesome! We should retire 4.
I don't know if it should be retired immediately, but I think once he goes into the NBA HOF, that his jersey should be retired at that point in Houston (as well as in Philly & Phoenix). My argument is, it would be a good PR move to show all the great players who haved played for the Rockets, even if it was for a relatively short time.
Just my little opinion. I think whether or not to retire a player's number doesn't depend on the tangibles he gave us, such as championships. We should always admire his contribution here, to the ballclub and to the community. I think Charles has been very loyal to the Rockets as well as to the city. And his fire and heart is one thing that Houstonian youngsters can learn. He's sometimes acting like a fool, but we can't deny that he's a wise old guy. He didn't only bring a good player here, but also bring national attentions and attitude to the city. Did we ever get any attention from NBC or some so-called big organizations before we got the champ? Hakeem is great, and greatest in my opinion, but he never got such attentions to Houston. Charles did. I'm for retiring his number 4! I think Charles deserves it!
No we should let Kenyon Martin wear #4 , because that is what he wears in college and he will do that for the rockets!
