UT to retire Durant's number

I don't get it either. The only circumstance in which I would agree with this is if Durant was a future Hall of Famer, but the kid has only played one year in the NBA, and only did one in college. Didn't lead them to great success either.

 

I don't think Durant's jersey should be retired, but maybe this is a recruiting tactic by UT in a way. "Hey, you play for us and do well, we'll retire your number."

 

I think it was just that they wanted someone to retire. It was him or Ford.

 

Ford helped build that program to what it is now. His number should be retired, moreso than Durant. Without Ford, UT is still probably a mediocre program.

 

ford already had his jersey retired by the school for the same reason durant will get his retired: winning the naismith award as player of the year.

 

Really? I did think TJ was a little bit more of a team builder than Durant.

 

As a UT alum, I'm gonna go ahead and say he should have his number retired.

He will be a HOFer by the time he's done.

 

IIRC Duke has a similar rule. Some guys here are just haters.

 

You can make that argument, but I was at the game where ford got his jersey retired, and the reason is he won the naismith award.

UT has specific requirements for retiring a jersey, and two of them are winning the naismith award in basketball and the heisman in football.

 

He had the best Freshman season ever. I am aware of Beasley topping his numbers but KD swept basically ever award over Oden. I don't have a problem with it. Ford's number already is retired. I also don't think this is a recruiting tactic at all. To me that makes little sense

 

And why did he win the Naismith?

 

I can't remember, did they even make the sweet 16 when he was there?

 

Durant or Ford?

With Durant, they lost in the second round to USC.

With Ford, they lost in the sweet 16 to Oregon his freshman year, and then to Syracuse in the Final Four his sophomore year.


I don't have a problem with him getting his number retired at all. To see him play that year at Texas, it was clear he was on another plane in terms of talent and ability. His presence is already helping with recruiting as there are people wanting to come to Texas who say they are big Durant fans. He swept every player of the year award, was an All-American as a freshman, and annihilated Freshman records. Furthermore, he led the Big 12 in points, rebounds and blocked shots his freshman year. It may sound ridiculous to retire his jersey after one season, but he did a hell of a lot more in that one year than many future players will accomplish in 3 or 4.

 

25.8ppg, 11.1rpg, 1.9bpg, and 1.9spg as a freshman isn't enough for you?

 

TJ put up great numbers and led texas to a final four. Durant won it because his numbers dwarfed everyone in the nation and was easily the most dominant college player two years ago. Both are deserving of a jersey retirement by UT.

 

I'm probably the biggest KD fan here. One great freshmen year and one good rookie season in the NBA. This seems premature to me.

 

Again, UT has specific rules regarding jersey retirements and if a player meets them they automatically get their jersey retired. Durant met the standard of winning the naismith award going to the best player in college basketball. His pro career has no bearing on a college jersey retirement ceremony.

Considering he is the probably the best player in UT basketball history I don't know why anyone can be arguing against having his college jersey retired.

 

Seriously, what does the NBA have to do anything with this? If that is the case then Duke should unretire JJ Redick's jersey because he hasn't done squat in the NBA.

Again, Duke has a similar rule. DV has already explained the UT rule a couple times.

 

At first glance, I can see why people would be a little taken aback at Durant, but he did win the Naismith award, and that plus his stats are well deserving...