Charlotte Hornets to re-retire Bobby Phills' #13

[NYawKa11]

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/eye-on-bas ... -back-home

I still don't understand why a player who died so recklessly, endangering the lives of others, deserves have a number retired following a very short stint with the team, but I digress.

I assume this means the Pelicans will bring #13 back into circulation?

[Cycklops]

Will the real Charlotte Hornets please stand-up?

[tidho]

I liked Bobby back from his time with Cleveland, but I have to agree with the OP on this one. I think the honoring has gone a little overboard given his contribution to the organization.

[PKABOOICU]

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/eye-on-basketball/24764717/charlotte-hornets-to-bring-bobby-phills-retired-jersey-back-home

I still don't understand why a player who died so recklessly, endangering the lives of others, deserves have a number retired following a very short stint with the team, but I digress.

I assume this means the Pelicans will bring #13 back into circulation?

thats why they are retiring his basketball associated jersey number and not his licene plate number

[NYawKa11]

I liked Bobby back from his time with Cleveland, but I have to agree with the OP on this one. I think the honoring has gone a little overboard given his contribution to the organization.

Thanks. It just sends a bad message to the fans. They point up "oh that's the guy who died drag racing, so they honored him." I just don't see how he was impactful for the Hornets and their history. If he was a role player for 10 years and was involved with the 93 playoff run or their mid 90s success, then I can see it.

If they want to dedicate a small area in the arena to memorialize him, that would be more fitting.

[NiqtheAntiq]

I still don't understand why a player who died so recklessly, endangering the lives of others, deserves have a number retired following a very short stint with the team, but I digress.

I assume this means the Pelicans will bring #13 back into circulation?

During Phills time with the Hornets they were basically the modern day Golden State Warriors, they were expected to make noise in the league once everyone gelled together. Phills dying basically was like if Harrison Barnes died, not a super huge impact player but still an important part of a team core looking to go places.

Phills was also considered a high character guy during his playing days even if he was drag racing a new car he just got. Jordan gets accolaids all the time and his number retired by organizations he never even played for but he was known to call up hookers and gamble during most of the 1990s.

I think its mainly a PR stunt because the Hornets name and image hold a deeper place for older fans than the Bobcats name does. Any sort of nostalgia helps bring back fans alienated during the RJ days.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8oYxo_6G880[/youtube]

[83SixersRocked]

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/eye-on-basketball/24764717/charlotte-hornets-to-bring-bobby-phills-retired-jersey-back-home

I still don't understand why a player who died so recklessly, endangering the lives of others, deserves have a number retired following a very short stint with the team, but I digress.

I assume this means the Pelicans will bring #13 back into circulation?

Because it's about how he played. You want to erase his very existence, why? He's the only one that died in that accident.

[NYawKa11]

Erase his existence? How is having #13 not retired erasing his existence? I already suggested they devote a space in the arena to memorialize him. A spot where fans can gather and read about him.

I followed the NBA closely in the 90s and while I remember Phills was one of the better players on the team, I just don't think he was there long enough nor was he impactful enough to warrant a jersey retirement.

Niq, I don't think this is a publicity stunt. The Charlotte franchise not only got the Hornets name back, but their history and records were restored as well. That comes with Phills' retired jersey. A publicity stunt is the Miami Heat retiring Jordan's number, which is going to look even stupider when they put Wade, Bosh, and Lebron's numbers up there. I can just see future generations being like "Jordan and Lebron played together?"

[laploutocratie]

Looks like they rushed to put at least something noteworthy up in the arena.

[83SixersRocked]

Erase his existence? How is having #13 not retired erasing his existence? I already suggested they devote a space in the arena to memorialize him. A spot where fans can gather and read about him.

I followed the NBA closely in the 90s and while I remember Phills was one of the better players on the team, I just don't think he was there long enough nor was he impactful enough to warrant a jersey retirement.

Niq, I don't think this is a publicity stunt. The Charlotte franchise not only got the Hornets name back, but their history and records were restored as well. That comes with Phills' retired jersey. A publicity stunt is the Miami Heat retiring Jordan's number, which is going to look even stupider when they put Wade, Bosh, and Lebron's numbers up there. I can just see future generations being like "Jordan and Lebron played together?"

You said that after the fact, don't be coy. You also said this (which is arguably libel, since David Wesley was cleared of racing charges):

... It just sends a bad message to the fans. They point up "oh that's the guy who died drag racing, so they honored him."

IMO "they" is you, and you have some axe to grind.

[Chuck Everett]

Retire his jersey and not Larry Johnson, Mugsy Bogues or Dell Curry? I didn't even understand it as a kid.

[WhatsaTDot]

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/eye-on-basketball/24764717/charlotte-hornets-to-bring-bobby-phills-retired-jersey-back-home

I still don't understand why a player who died so recklessly, endangering the lives of others, deserves have a number retired following a very short stint with the team, but I digress.

I assume this means the Pelicans will bring #13 back into circulation?

thats why they are retiring his basketball associated jersey number and not his licene plate number

BPHLS13 personalised licence plate hanging from the rafters.

[Elden Payton]

R.I.P. Bobby.

[Hornet Mania]

Organizations honor former players who resonate with the fan base, and I doubt you'll find a single Charlotte Hornets fan who has an ill word to say about Bobby Phills. In that sense retiring, and now re-retiring, his jersey was absolutely the right move. When the Hornets name returned the fans, even a few with only casual interest in the team, were vocal about bringing Bobby Phills' jersey home as one of the first and most important orders of business. The organization is respecting the wishes of the Charlotte community. It is absolutely not a PR stunt, unless you define PR stunt as doing exactly what your fan base has politely but insistently requested ever since the name change.

Drag racing that day ultimately ended Bobby Phills life but it does not entirely define who he was as a person. He was always one of the finest community ambassadors (along with his close friend David Wesley) the Hornets ever had and was a well-respected veteran leader on the team. Prior to his death he would have been the first guy on the roster you pointed to as someone you wished every rookie would emulate. It's a shame that so many folks outside the area know more about his death than how he lived, but it was his volunteer work and amicable relationship with the people in the region that left the biggest impression.

I know y'all probably don't mean any harm, just don't understand the situation or want to make a few jokes, but please have some respect for the dead. If you're genuinely wondering whether the people of Charlotte remember or care whether Bobby Phills' jersey is brought home the answer is unequivocally yes. His family remained in the area after his death and they will also take part in the ceremony. It's something the fans, the city and his family all wanted to see happen, that's as good a reason as any to retire a number.

[DoubleLintendre]

Not a Hornets fan per se, and didn't know anything about Phills until reading through the thread. Learned a lot though from some of the posts, think it's the right thing to do for the team and fanbase.

Thanks for the knowledge NiqtheAntiq and Hornet Mania.

[NYawKa11]

Organizations honor former players who resonate with the fan base, and I doubt you'll find a single Charlotte Hornets fan who has an ill word to say about Bobby Phills. In that sense retiring, and now re-retiring, his jersey was absolutely the right move. When the Hornets name returned the fans, even a few with only casual interest in the team, were vocal about bringing Bobby Phills' jersey home as one of the first and most important orders of business. The organization is respecting the wishes of the Charlotte community. It is absolutely not a PR stunt, unless you define PR stunt as doing exactly what your fan base has politely but insistently requested ever since the name change.

Drag racing that day ultimately ended Bobby Phills life but it does not entirely define who he was as a person. He was always one of the finest community ambassadors (along with his close friend David Wesley) the Hornets ever had and was a well-respected veteran leader on the team. Prior to his death he would have been the first guy on the roster you pointed to as someone you wished every rookie would emulate. It's a shame that so many folks outside the area know more about his death than how he lived, but it was his volunteer work and amicable relationship with the people in the region that left the biggest impression.

I know y'all probably don't mean any harm, just don't understand the situation or want to make a few jokes, but please have some respect for the dead. If you're genuinely wondering whether the people of Charlotte remember or care whether Bobby Phills' jersey is brought home the answer is unequivocally yes. His family remained in the area after his death and they will also take part in the ceremony. It's something the fans, the city and his family all wanted to see happen, that's as good a reason as any to retire a number.

Nice post. Thank you. I loved the Hornets in the mid 90s...probably my favorite team after the Knicks. I'm so happy the Hornets monkier is back in Charlotte and hope they do well!

[Jeff23]

my man matt carroll used to wear 13 for the bobcats, they should retire that number for matt carroll man.

[fatlever]

Organizations honor former players who resonate with the fan base, and I doubt you'll find a single Charlotte Hornets fan who has an ill word to say about Bobby Phills. In that sense retiring, and now re-retiring, his jersey was absolutely the right move. When the Hornets name returned the fans, even a few with only casual interest in the team, were vocal about bringing Bobby Phills' jersey home as one of the first and most important orders of business. The organization is respecting the wishes of the Charlotte community. It is absolutely not a PR stunt, unless you define PR stunt as doing exactly what your fan base has politely but insistently requested ever since the name change.

Drag racing that day ultimately ended Bobby Phills life but it does not entirely define who he was as a person. He was always one of the finest community ambassadors (along with his close friend David Wesley) the Hornets ever had and was a well-respected veteran leader on the team. Prior to his death he would have been the first guy on the roster you pointed to as someone you wished every rookie would emulate. It's a shame that so many folks outside the area know more about his death than how he lived, but it was his volunteer work and amicable relationship with the people in the region that left the biggest impression.

I know y'all probably don't mean any harm, just don't understand the situation or want to make a few jokes, but please have some respect for the dead. If you're genuinely wondering whether the people of Charlotte remember or care whether Bobby Phills' jersey is brought home the answer is unequivocally yes. His family remained in the area after his death and they will also take part in the ceremony. It's something the fans, the city and his family all wanted to see happen, that's as good a reason as any to retire a number.

Listen to this man. He speaks the truth. I was born and raised in Charlotte. Been a die hard fan since 1988. I worked two miles away from where that wreck happened. Hornets Mania is on the money here. Yes, it does seem odd to honor a man who died doing something so dangerous and stupid, but outside of that one incident, he really was a fantastic person all around.

[AgentDRL]

I remember his time with the Cavs in the mid/late 90's with Terrell Brandon. Good back court.

[jax98]

Jordan gets accolaids all the time and his number retired by organizations he never even played for but he was known to call up hookers and gamble during most of the 1990s.

Gambling and calling up hookers doesn't put others at risk, which drag racing does.