Ok, for you aging Rocket historians....why hasn't Elvin's jersey been retired and hanging on the rafters? His numbers look awesome for the late sixties, and like Drexler, he is UH alumni. Is it because the team was in San Diego at the time? Or because the Rockets didn't win a championship with him as they did with Drexler? Or both?
That's a good question.Maybe we should start a campaign. ..anyone remember this ? " You'll be on Haaayes street "
Hayes came back to Houston (he went to UH) after his most productive years were behind him. Of course, so did Clyde, but the championship he helped us win pretty much solidified him as deserving a retired jersey. 'E' should probably have one as well, but his best ball wasn't with the Rockets.
Yeah I was 6 and at the "game of the century" and my love of basketball started directly with 'E'. The historical impact of Guy V. bringing him here desegregated the SWC and sped up the process by which this city procurred an NBA team in the first place. When I was in college and saw Dream play I became 6 again. I've been 6 again all this week. 'E's playing with the Rockets (twice), being the franchise's first draft pick and his impact on hoops in Houston is enough to get that man's jersey retired. You can tell I'm slightly biased. Off-topic here, Jeff there are a few E.C. guys on this board, that's where I got declan, sometimes I think we're all the same people.
Big E and Moses Malone both need to have their Jersey's hanging in the Rafters. Both had great years in Houston and Moses had 3 MVP years and a finals appearance. Moses is easily the second greatest Rocket of all time and Big E is arguably the 3rd.
Elvin Hayes' Jersey is retired...in Washington. Number 11 to be precise. I think the Rockets are right in not retiring E's (or Barkley's) Jersey here. We don't want to turn into the Celtics with TWENTY (!!) numbers in the rafters.
