Why isn't Bob McAdoo's number retired?

[digcom99]

This is something I was thinking about the other day. With the exception of Elgin Baylor, every jersey hanging in the rafters has won Laker championships and are members of the Hall of Fame (Kobe is a shoe-in).

Bob McAdoo was an integral part of two showtime championships as a valuable 6th man and also had a Hall of Fame career. I know the argument against is that he wasn't an all-star anymore by the time he joined the Lakers, but I remember him to be a key player in the rotation.

Since it appears the main criteria for jersey retirement seems to be titles and HOF induction, am I off base to suggest he should at least be in the conversation

[The Laker Kid]

My guess is because he played for 10 teams in his career, including the hated Celtics. Heck, there are people right now arguing if Pau Gasol deserves to have his jersey retired! This is Pau Gasol! Let alone McAdoo, who didn't contribute as much as Gasol.

[digcom99]

My guess is because he played for 10 teams in his career, including the hated Celtics. Heck, there are people right now arguing if Pau Gasol deserves to have his jersey retired! This is Pau Gasol! Let alone McAdoo, who didn't contribute as much as Gasol.

McAdoo played for 7 NBA teams. Shaq played for 6 and was also a Celtic. I know you can't compare the 2, but playing for Boston shouldn't be a deal breaker. And everyone knows Pau will be up there once he gets in the HOF. Being the number 2 guy on back to back championship teams pretty much guarantees it.

But I digress...I wouldn't hate it if McAdoo's number was retired, but if hasn't been done by now, it probably never will be. I just remember it was a big deal when the Lakers got him. He was a former MVP, scoring champion and Rookie of the Year with multiple all star appearances who sacrificed his numbers for the good of the team. Just seems a shame.

[Kilroy]

McAdoo was well over his prime when he came to LA... He was never a Key player on the team, even though I was a huge fan... Prolly messed up my shot trying to shoot like him as a kid...
Retiring his jersey would be a bout like Retiring Rick Fox or Robert Horry's jerseys... More Horry than Fox...

[digcom99]

McAdoo was well over his prime when he came to LA... He was never a Key player on the team, even though I was a huge fan... Prolly messed up my shot trying to shoot like him as a kid...
Retiring his jersey would be a bout like Retiring Rick Fox or Robert Horry's jerseys... More Horry than Fox...

Yeah....that is the main argument against. IMO, though, I didn't think he was past his prime. He was only 30 when he joined the Lakers and playing behind Kareem, Magic, Worthy certainly hurt his number of touches and influence. But I personally thought he was a key rotation player and important part of that dynasty.

Also I don't know if it would be similar to retiring Horry's. Robert Horry was a career role player (albeit one of the best at it) and not a hall of famer, which seems to be a prerequisite for the rafters.... while McAdoo was a star for most of his 20's with amazing stats.

[Kilroy]

Derrick Fisher was a bigger part of the most recent dynasty, and I personally think it would be a travesty if we retired his number...

Point being, there were lot's of key guys in each of our dynasties... There would be no more numbers left if everyone who was a key part of our franchise's dynasties had their numbers retired.

I'd retire Rambis's number before McAdoos BTW... Which maybe is a perfect example of why it probably won't happen.

[Landsberger]

McAdoo's best days were in Buffalo..... or today's Clippers. He and Dan Issell were the first face up centers that could score out to 20' or so.

He had some huge playoff games for us and was integral in giving Kareem the rest he needed to play at the level he did.

Numbers retired are for players who had their best days for us IMHO.

The comments to McAdoo being just like Rick Fox and Horry are a little off. He's a HOF'er who won 3 consecutive scoring titles and was MVP in 75. His induction to the HOF as a decade or more late. Fox and Horry were never more than role players. McAdoo was a star of the lost 70's. He's one of the guys who changed how the game was played for a big man as well. He played very productive basketball into his mid 40's in Europe putting up over 26 and 10 at age 39 while winning the Italian league chip.

[digcom99]

McAdoo's best days were in Buffalo..... or today's Clippers. He and Dan Issell were the first face up centers that could score out to 20' or so.

He had some huge playoff games for us and was integral in giving Kareem the rest he needed to play at the level he did.

Numbers retired are for players who had their best days for us IMHO.

The comments to McAdoo being just like Rick Fox and Horry are a little off. He's a HOF'er who won 3 consecutive scoring titles and was MVP in 75. His induction to the HOF as a decade or more late. Fox and Horry were never more than role players. McAdoo was a star of the lost 70's. He's one of the guys who changed how the game was played for a big man as well. He played very productive basketball into his mid 40's in Europe putting up over 26 and 10 at age 39 while winning the Italian league chip.

I 100% agree. But what makes me waffle is that much of the same can be said about Wilt Chamberlain. He joined the Lakers when he was 32, had his best days playing for other teams, was on the down side of his career and sacrificed much of his stats for the betterment of the team. Though there is no comparison between the 2 careers, it seems there is also a lot of similarities to what they both contributed to the Lakers. This is what makes me think 'why not McAdoo'?

But since I never saw Wilt play, I can only go by stats...so if I'm completely off by what Chamberlain did for the Lakers, then

[Landsberger]

McAdoo's best days were in Buffalo..... or today's Clippers. He and Dan Issell were the first face up centers that could score out to 20' or so.

He had some huge playoff games for us and was integral in giving Kareem the rest he needed to play at the level he did.

Numbers retired are for players who had their best days for us IMHO.

The comments to McAdoo being just like Rick Fox and Horry are a little off. He's a HOF'er who won 3 consecutive scoring titles and was MVP in 75. His induction to the HOF as a decade or more late. Fox and Horry were never more than role players. McAdoo was a star of the lost 70's. He's one of the guys who changed how the game was played for a big man as well. He played very productive basketball into his mid 40's in Europe putting up over 26 and 10 at age 39 while winning the Italian league chip.

I 100% agree. But what makes me waffle is that much of the same can be said about Wilt Chamberlain. He joined the Lakers when he was 32, had his best days playing for other teams, was on the down side of his career and sacrificed much of his stats for the betterment of the team. Though there is no comparison between the 2 careers, it seems there is also a lot of similarities to what they both contributed to the Lakers.

I'm not old enough to have seen Wilt play so I can only go by the stats. Just food for thought.

Wilt got it because he finally got us over the hump in that run where we lost endlessly to "those guys". I do agree that his inclusion in the retired number thing is the one that could be questioned.

I did see McAdoo play in the 70's. When he was healthy he was truly great. He was so active for a center and could score inside and outside. He used to give Kareem fits with his mobility.

[Spanish_Laker]

Pau Gasol deserves it more.

[Sedale Threatt]

Pau Gasol deserves it more.

I'll be very, very disappointed if we don't retire Gasol's number. Granted I'm biased because he's one of my all-time favorite Lakers, but the man played an essential, leading role in two championships. Add his many other achievements, and he's a no-brainer IMO.

And that's even with keeping this an exclusive club. Personally, I wouldn't have retired Wilkes' number, and McAdoo wouldn't have even crossed my mind. Only the very best should get these honors, especially with a team like ours.

[Beethoven]

Who's Bob mcadoo?

[Ballerhogger]

Derrick Fisher was a bigger part of the most recent dynasty, and I personally think it would be a travesty if we retired his number...

Point being, there were lot's of key guys in each of our dynasties... There would be no more numbers left if everyone who was a key part of our franchise's dynasties had their numbers retired.

I'd retire Rambis's number before McAdoos BTW... Which maybe is a perfect example of why it probably won't happen.

A part of me wants see fisher get his number retired but the stats are obliviously way to low

[Ballerhogger]

Pau Gasol deserves it more.

I'll be very, very disappointed if we don't retire Gasol's number. Granted I'm biased because he's one of my all-time favorite Lakers, but the man played an essential, leading role in two championships. Add his many other achievements, and he's a no-brainer IMO.

And that's even with keeping this an exclusive club. Personally, I wouldn't have retired Wilkes' number, and McAdoo wouldn't have even crossed my mind. Only the very best should get these honors, especially with a team like ours.

Doubtful but I wouldn’t mind it at all

[digcom99]

Pau Gasol deserves it more.

I'll be very, very disappointed if we don't retire Gasol's number. Granted I'm biased because he's one of my all-time favorite Lakers, but the man played an essential, leading role in two championships. Add his many other achievements, and he's a no-brainer IMO.

And that's even with keeping this an exclusive club. Personally, I wouldn't have retired Wilkes' number, and McAdoo wouldn't have even crossed my mind. Only the very best should get these honors, especially with a team like ours.

Doubtful but I wouldn’t mind it at all

There are two things all the retired jerseys have in common (including the special Minneapolis names):

1) They were bigs contributors to championship clubs.
2) All members of the basketball Hall of Fame.

Elgin Baylor is an asterisk because he retired during the season they won their first LA title and technically didn't get a ring, but there is no questioning his place in Laker history so he deserves to be up there.

That's why players like Michael Cooper, Robert Horry or Derek Fisher would most likely never get that honor.....they aren't Hall of Famers.

IMO, I have no doubt that Pau Gasol will be retired because he will meet both requirements. He was instrumental to back to back titles and is a shoe-in for the Hall, his international credentials will get him in. Once that happens, the retirement ceremony will soon follow.

I also think McAdoo qualifies because, to me, he hits both points. I remember him to be a huge spark plug off the bench and the leader of the second unit....but obviously the Laker front office doesn't agree. I was just a kid so maybe I'm remembering things differently.

[DEEP3CL]

Bob only played like 3 yrs here....that's why. And he was past his prime but still decent when he came here

[danfantastk32]

Love this topic. I have sort of questioned Wilt's inclusion before. I think it's a shame that guys like Cooper, Fisher, Horry, have not been retired....and yet we feel generous enough to give Kobe 2.

One one hand I want it to be exclusive. I think it's sort of cool that some of these guys who SHOULD be there aren't. But then I see Wilt, and I'm sorry....but Fisher was much, much more of a Laker, and did more for the Lakers than Wilt did. Wilt's in the HoF....but not for his time here.

And then we give 2 to Kobe. Kinda both middle fingers to the guys who never made it. Is this exclusive, or just cute? There are no right and wrong answers. It's just where you stand. Why I enjoy it so much.

In my world.....Wilt would prob not be there. Kobe get's one, and Fish would be in.

But that's just my take. It's why I like this topic so much. It's deep nerd-laker teritory...and it's purely your personal take.

[PKABOOICU]

Im not worried about #16 in the rafters. It'll be done as soon as Pau retires.

[digcom99]

Love this topic. I have sort of questioned Wilt's inclusion before. I think it's a shame that guys like Cooper, Fisher, Horry, have not been retired....and yet we feel generous enough to give Kobe 2.

One one hand I want it to be exclusive. I think it's sort of cool that some of these guys who SHOULD be there aren't. But then I see Wilt, and I'm sorry....but Fisher was much, much more of a Laker, and did more for the Lakers than Wilt did. Wilt's in the HoF....but not for his time here.

And then we give 2 to Kobe. Kinda both middle fingers to the guys who never made it. Is this exclusive, or just cute? There are no right and wrong answers. It's just where you stand. Why I enjoy it so much.

In my world.....Wilt would prob not be there. Kobe get's one, and Fish would be in.

But that's just my take. It's why I like this topic so much. It's deep nerd-laker teritory...and it's purely your personal take.

I’ve always thought that Michael Cooper deserved to be up there more than any other non-retired number. He played his whole career here and won 5 championships. But what made him stand out compared to Horry, Fisher, or Rick Fox was that he won individual player honors too. He was Defensive Player of the Year, Citizenship Award winner and voted on numerous All-Defense 1st and 2nd teams. He even coached 2 Sparks championships. His achievements stand out. I don’t think it would be an insult to put him in the rafters. Too bad being a HOF member is a requirement.

Also, I agree that Kobe having two seems a bit off. When I first read he was getting both numbers done, i just assumed it would be one jersey with 8 and 24 fitted together somehow. The double jersey thing is just weird to me.

[danfantastk32]

I’ve always thought that Michael Cooper deserved to be up there more than any other non-retired number. He played his whole career here and won 5 championships. But what made him stand out compared to Horry, Fisher, or Rick Fox was that he won individual player honors too. He was Defensive Player of the Year and voted on numerous All-Defense 1st and 2nd teams. He even coached 2 Sparks championships. His achievements stand out. I don’t think it would be an insult to put him in the rafters. Too bad being a HOF member is a requirement.

Also, I agree that Kobe having two seems a bit off. When I first read he was getting both numbers done, i just assumed it would be one jersey with 8 and 24 fitted together somehow. The double jersey thing is just weird to me.

Yes....Cooper has been my #2. My reason for Fisher #1, is that I have always thought that he was the buffer between Kobe and alot of guys. People forget that the 2008 season saw Ten 50+ win teams in the West.....and we were winning that BEFORE Ariza and Pau showed up. We took a slight dip when Bynum got hurt. But we were leading the west, and I think we were like 3rd (it was neck in neck, so 3rd was like a 1-1/2 games behind) once we signed Pau, which was like 5-6 games without Bynum.

You'll remember the offseason was the one where Kobe wanted to go play for Pluto. Suddenly we were a legit team again. There was really one change: We brought Fisher back. I think Fisher made Kobe tolerable for the rest of his teammates. I really do.

No disrespect to Coops. I LOVE Coop. Loved his defense. I would prob give Horry a nod. But for sure, I'd do Coop and Fish. If I had to choose 1....I'd prob take Fish for what I said above. Totally respect your choice of Coop though....1A 1B for me.

As for Kobe....yeah, I think it's weird. Is he going into the HoF twice? My only attempt at justifying it, is that this whole thing kinda came at a point where we Laker fans are a little desperate for reasons to celebrate. It's been some bleak years, and I think they sorta wanted to "overcompensate" if you will.

Funny....I was at the jersey retirement game. I though the celebration was kinda subdued. Crowd seemed "Sorta" into it. It was a weird night.