Too much weight is put on the "hometown guy" factor, imo. I would argue the Barkely is more deserving to be in the Hall of Fame if it came down between the two. That makes him a better player in my book. I know someone will say "well, Clyde won a championship". That's not my arguement. Old School ------------------ I voted YES!
Old School: Good argument on the Clyde's number being retired. The problem is, that was a bad idea too. It boils down to the criterion you want to establish: is it great players who have worn a Rockets uniform or is it great basketball played for years in a Rockets uniform. I vote for the latter -- players who did great things over time in Rocket gear. But I dont think Clyde counts in that respect. So if they decide to put all Hall of Famers who have played for the Rockets for a little while, sure, throw Chuck up there. But you better put Rick Barry and Elvin Hayes up there, too. I think it would be waaaaaaay cooler to have some sort of recognition of the old school Rockets, however. If not a number retired, then a kick-ass Rocket museum thing in the new arena, with pictures, plaques, jerseys from Newlin / Murph / Kevin Kunert / Mo Malone / Eddie Ratleff / Rudy T. / etc. The players from the 1970s get no credit. None whatsoever, which gets me mad when people go off about Barkleys contributions to the team. He got us some magazine covers and a few extra highlights on Sportscenter. But it was not substantive basketball to the degree that his number needs to be honored like Rudy or Murph of Moshe Malone. They should not have retired Clydes. City Hall should have done it, not the rockets. CBFC ------------------ Join the Chucky Brown Fan Club
Clyde is a hometown player, that makes his jersey understandable to retire in Houston. I am a believer that both are hall of famers and that Barkley's jersey should be retired at Houston too. I don't know what to say about Rick Barry, I never saw him when he was in Houston. ------------------
5-8 definitely should not be on this list. The rest, maybe. That is like saying Bryan Shaw, Derek Fisher, Horry, and and Ron Harper's #'s should be retired as Lakers. ------------------ Never Underestimate the Heart of a Champion
well.. portland also retired clyde's number.. most remember hiiim as a blazer not a rocket around the country... he liek barkley didn't have his prime with the rockeets... if we hadn't won the championship in 95 would you still want his retired.. my thing is.. that if clyde's was retired.. barkley's shoudl at least be considred. ------------------ Shane "Save Our Rockets" "Life without basketball in Houston........without an arena that is what it will be"
Clyde Drexler won a championship for us. When Hakeem was out for the end of the 95 season, Drexler picked up this team and carried into post season. Drexler deserves to have his number retired, and the Rockets did it FIRST! Clyde also holds every team record you can own in Portland (expect most technicals - Wallace just edged out Uncle Cliffy). I can see retiring the mouth's jersey in Philly, and most DEFINITELY in Phoenix, but what did he do for us? He took Hakeem's post position away, he took some rebounds Hakeem would have had, he ran his mouth constantly when he should have been playing defense, and was more worried about the fans under the wrong hoop to focus on the game. Why would we retire his number? It would be for what he did in Phoenix and Philly. Let THEM retire his number - 34. Houston's 34 has another name on it, as does 4 (Webber). The Rocket Guy http://www.TheRocketGuy.com "You try to improve and do better. It's a journey, not just the destination." - Hakeem Olajuwon ------------------
to No, it is not. I put a list of players I thought should have their jerseys retired before Barkley. Can't you read?? IMO, Hakeem is the only one on the list who deserves that honor now. ------------------ I hate rice and beans!
The way I see it, since leaving the Cougars, Drexler was a Rocket BUT we let the Blazers borrow him for a little while. Then we took him back when we needed an extra boost to get the championship. Similarly, Barkley's a 76er who outgrew that team when they decided to rebuild. They went through a period of time where they were lotto-bound, and Barkley spent most of that time in Phoenix, making other stops in places like Houston. He was awesome while he was here. I hated trading Sam & Bob for him, but after 2 seasons, he proved to me why we did it. I've turned into a huge Barkley fan, but that doesn't mean his # should be retired in Houston. It'll be retired in Philly. When Clyde the Glide goes into the Hall of Fame, it'll be as a Rocket. When Barkley goes, it'll be as a 76er. That's a major difference why #22's hanging in the raftors, but #4 won't be. ------------------ Founding Father of the Refs Suck Club
The Rocket Guy Said: "I can see retiring the mouth's jersey in Philly, and most DEFINITELY in Phoenix, but what did he do for us? He took Hakeem's post position away, he took some rebounds Hakeem would have had, he ran his mouth constantly when he should have been playing defense, and was more worried about the fans under the wrong hoop to focus on the game. Why would we retire his number? It would be for what he did in Phoenix and Philly. Let THEM retire his number - 34. Houston's 34 has another name on it, as does 4 (Webber)." Why did the Rockets get Barkley? Because they knew they weren't good enough to win another championship without him. Houston couldn't get over Seattle in the West is the obvious reason. Also where do you think Dream would be know if Charles did not take SOME of the touches away from him in the post? Probably the same place CB is now. Retired. You have saw for yourself the last few years that Dream couldn't stay healthy being one of the two offensive options, how much more wear and tear would he have had being in the post every play. Who cares if he took away some of Dreams rebounds. As long as the Rockets got her rebounds does it really matter? Are you mad now that Stevie is getting some of Dream's stats (rebounds, touches, etc). Yeah Charles does talk, alot, but he played hard every night he suited up. For the last 3 years it didn't seem like Dream was alyways 100% there (I know some/alot of it was his breathing condition/health). Granted he did play great once the trade demands came up this year to Miami, but up until that point he never was really into the game for some reason. So obviously you blame CB4 for destroying the core (Cassel, Horry) of the championship rocket teams but you never get many chances to get a HOF player without even giving up an all-star. Basically my point is I don't think the Rockets have any obligation to retire his jersey, but I think alot of folks became Rocket fans because of CB4, he is a HOF player, and he did play well here while he was healthy. So the Rockets don't have to, but I think at some point they will.
Well, there are exceptions. ------------------ President of the Committee to prevent the drafting of Gerald Wallace "You know who the best rebounder in Chicago is? The trainer chasing all of Wallace's missed shots."------NBAtalk
Yes...I can read. And no they shouldn't have their # retired before Barkley. That distinction goes to hall-of-fame caliber players, not role players on the way to a championship. Barkley put in a couple of good years and we all know we would have been much worse off without him. Smith, Cassell, Horry, and Elie were good players that helped us dearly, but they shouldn't be mentioned in the same class as Chuck. And yes, that is like saying Shaw, Fisher, Horry, and Harper should have their numbers retired as Lakers, before, lets say Glen Rice. And, why the hell would you ask if I could read? Somewhat obvious that after 1500+ posts, I could be proved literate. ------------------ President of the Committee to prevent the drafting of Gerald Wallace "You know who the best rebounder in Chicago is? The trainer chasing all of Wallace's missed shots."------NBAtalk [This message has been edited by vj23k (edited June 08, 2001).]
Both men were great, but neither had their best years in Houston. I think that the whole retirement of numbers thing is thrown around too much. Great players should have their numbers retired where they were greatist. Once and only Once. I believe that it is a great honor that a legend should enjoy one time. That way it means more. I have always been a Drexler fan and I followed him to Houston, now I love the Rockets and will follow them. We all know Houston appreciates both of them. I say if Clyde recieved the honor so should Chuck, but I beleive that this type of event shouldn't be thrown around.
