Now that Yao got his jersey retired, is T-Mac next?

I know Dawson did so much for this franchise, but I hate that we have a jersey retired for him. I'm all for honoring and showing respect for everything that he did for our team, but he doesn't deserve to have a jersey retired. Or, even if that's what they want to do for him, it shouldn't be up there next to our player's who have jerseys retired, maybe have it in a different section of the rafters. I don't like looking up there and seeing "Tomjanovich, Murphy, Malone, Drexler, Olajuwon, Yao...and "CD" Dawson". I tried to look it up but I don't think any other team has a coach/GM jersey retired.


Am I the only one?

 

The argument against Hayes was that he didn't have a long enough career in Houston to merit having us retire his number. He spent the majority of his career with the Bullets.

However you could make the same argument for Clyde Drexler, who spent the majority of his career and his best years with Portland.

 

Retiring jerseys is a marketing gimmick. The test is, "will this help me sell more tickets and merchandise?" Guys like Dream, Clyde, Yao, or Rudy T make people feel like the team has a legacy that is special that they want to associate with by buying. Years afterwards, does Hayes or McGrady make you feel all warm and fuzzy on the inside? Or do they dilute the historic grandiosity of the other guys?

 

That was my point. Look at what I was responding to.

 

I think there is a strong possibility of him getting it retired if he makes it to the HOF. That seems like its a prereq almost to getting your jersey retired in Houston. I don't know how much he did or continues to do in the city of Houston (like Yao) but at least right now you could make a case for him.

Personally I would not only because when I think of "prime" McGrady I always think of the Orlando T-Mac. I mean he was amazing his first season here in Houston but after that the injuries really just started to hurt him. If the Rockets brass decide to down the road I wouldn't be upset either.

 

And Orlando hasn't retired Penny Hardaway's number either

 

No. Tracy meets HOF criteria, more so than retired number by the Rockets. His success was spread over different teams, and best success wasn't with Houston. Tracy didn't do much as a Rocket anyways.

Guys like Moses, Clyde, and Murphy did more for Houston.

 

You hit it on the dot, they don't understand this HOUSTON thing. They don't get Phi Slamma Jamma, They don't get the Summit, Compaq Center, Clutch City.

They don't understand the history. They don't understand that Calvin has been with Rockets more than they have been alive.
All these vocal Tmac fans are not from Houston, they are overseas. They loved him as an individual player but are completely confused about what team accomplishment is about.

They don't understand that Houstonians are loyal to the stars that are loyal to them and bring civic pride.

So when Yao says he loves Houston, we know it's real. He doesn't say that he wished he stayed in Toronto and thinks about it all the time.

 

Wow, 4-time All-NBA selection as a Rocket and that wasn't even his best? T-Mac must be super awesome!

 

Who led the Rockets during that historic 22 game streak @swyyyguy ?

 

By 4, you mean 3... ('05,'07,'08)

Zero 1st Team...and two were 3rd.


LOL, I wouldn't brag about that.

 

This guy:

 

Drexler retired jersey numbers vs Tmac retired Jersey numbers

Drexler:

 

Big E was a Rocket at beginning and end of his career. He won his rings with Bullets however.

 

I am not disagreeing with you about retiring his number. Like many posters here, I hate how he quit and how he dealt with his injuries situation.

Just no need to rewrite history to make the point. He did pretty well for us in the playoffs.

(BTW, losing to Utah was mainly Yao's fault for not being able to deal with Boozer and Okur. McGrady scored 29 pts and dished out 13 assists in that fateful Game 7.)

 

No. I'm with you. It's definitely a fish out of water.

And no to the OP. Is Tmac even a HOFer?

And speaking of travesties....what the hell does Rudy T have to do to get a HOF nod? I just assumed he was after being a player, chip winning coach and scout after that. A lifer with rings. What else is needed?

 

I loved Tracy as a Rocket (except the dark years) & I wouldn't protest against his jersey being retired, that being said I think Orlando's the team that should be hanging his jersey up.

 

Clyde and Hayes have local connections besides their Rockets careers.

 

Dang, so more than Harden did last year. Got it.