Shams: Nick Collison jersey to be retired in OKC.

xxSnEaKyPxx · Post #61 » by **xxSnEaKyPxx** » Sun Jan 13, 2019 1:54 am

Mr Puddles wrote:Nick Collison's nickname is literally "Mr Thunder" (given to him by Kevin Durant I believe). I don't think it's outrageous to retire a jersey who's nickname is the name of your franchise.

There's more to basketball than just the box score, and players ranging from Russell Westbrook to Stevan Adams have referred to him as a mentor. It's good to see a key role player get recognition for what he did both on and off the court.

Yea, only racists like white NBA players. :lol:

Pablo Escobar · Post #62 » by **Pablo Escobar** » Sun Jan 13, 2019 1:55 am

Off topic but Jordan should get his number retired league wide. And this is a cool move by OKC!

gipper08 · Post #63 » by **gipper08** » Sun Jan 13, 2019 1:59 am

xxSnEaKyPxx wrote:
gipper08 wrote:
xxSnEaKyPxx wrote:http://www.espn.com/nba/columns/story?columnist=stein_marc&id=1584734

Injuries were the biggest factor for those Pacer teams. Brad Miller is clearly better than Foster, no one is arguing otherwise, we are arguing the Pacers were going to lose Miller no matter what. The Pacers didn't think Foster was better, they just simply couldn't afford Miller.

Yeah, I already covered the money myth...we will leave that for others to decide.

My point now for you to refute is that Foster's poor play in the Detroit series 04 was the biggest weakness of the Pacers in the series.(in a series they should have won)

You don't lose a series because a role player struggled. You referencing how many points Foster scored shows that you have absolutely no idea what you are talking about. Jeff Foster was never suppose to score points for us. His role was defense. Trying to blame the series on the 5th option on offense not scoring enough points is just silly.

If you expected Jeff Foster, a non offensive player, to drop 20 on Ben/Rasheed Wallace, then I don't know what to tell you man.

No. I expect a starting center to actually be a starting center. You are right he is a role player. This is the point of the thread that Collison and Foster are not even quality starters.

You cannot beat the 04 Pistons if your starting center's defense is that of a really good back up, but his offense is that of a d Leaguer.

Therefore, Foster is not worthy of a jersey retirement considering he was nowhere when really needed.

Had the Pacers traded Foster for space and kept Miller they would have saved money (because no Pollard) and won the 2004 world title.

xxSnEaKyPxx · Post #64 » by **xxSnEaKyPxx** » Sun Jan 13, 2019 2:01 am

gipper08 wrote:
xxSnEaKyPxx wrote:
gipper08 wrote: Yeah, I already covered the money myth...we will leave that for others to decide.

My point now for you to refute is that Foster's poor play in the Detroit series 04 was the biggest weakness of the Pacers in the series.(in a series they should have won)

You don't lose a series because a role player struggled. You referencing how many points Foster scored shows that you have absolutely no idea what you are talking about. Jeff Foster was never suppose to score points for us. His role was defense. Trying to blame the series on the 5th option on offense not scoring enough points is just silly.

If you expected Jeff Foster, a non offensive player, to drop 20 on Ben/Rasheed Wallace, then I don't know what to tell you man.

No. I expect a starting center to actually be a starting center. You are right he is a role player. This is the point of the thread that Collison and Foster are not even quality starters.

You cannot beat the 04 Pistons if your starting center's defense is that of a really good back up, but his offense is that of a d Leaguer.

Therefore, Foster is not worthy of a jersey retirement considering he was nowhere when really needed.

Had the Pacers traded Foster for space and kept Miller they would have saved money (because no Pollard) and won the 2004 world title.

If ifs and buts were candies and nuts, we'd all have a merry Christmas.

Could just as easily say if Ron Artest never charged into the stands, we would have won the Championship with Jeff Foster as our starting center.

azcatz11 · Post #65 » by **azcatz11** » Sun Jan 13, 2019 2:02 am

Mr Puddles wrote:
bondom34 wrote:
azcatz11 wrote:This must be the most random thread ever

A Nick Collison jersey retirement thread devolving into an argument about Jeff Foster. I've seen it all

Was just coming to say this haha. Great for Collison and well deserved. Looking forward to seeing when they do this, but what a bizarre turn this thread took.

Let's not forget the quick segue into the supposedly wide spread support of white supremacist NBA fans for TJ McConnell.

You're right - that was interesting.

Post #66 » by **slick_watts** » Sun Jan 13, 2019 2:20 am

it's fine but i think they should have waited. there's something to be said for being the 1st player retired. dallas has to live with brad davis being their 1st. if they waited a bit it could have been rolando blackman, or derek harper. i don't understand the urgency, i guess. in 5-8 years they can do russell westbrook. nick will still be around.

BigtimeNBAfan · Post #67 » by **BigtimeNBAfan** » Sun Jan 13, 2019 2:39 am

Don't like it. You should have to be a hall of famer to get your jersey retired, not be a player that could have been replaced at any moment with no impact.

xxSnEaKyPxx · Post #68 » by **xxSnEaKyPxx** » Sun Jan 13, 2019 3:00 am

BigtimeNBAfan wrote:Don't like it. You should have to be a hall of famer to get your jersey retired, not be a player that could have been replaced at any moment with no impact.

I disagree, I like the message it sends.

The reality is not everyone is going to be one of the best obviously. While I definitely think most jersey retirements should be saved for the best types of players, I am still okay with them retiring elite role players jerseys on rare occasions.

Not every team has a star whose jersey is worth retiring, but every team has a ton of role players. To me it kinda says "You don't have to be the best, if you show up, work hard, lead, and give this organization everything you got, we'll remember it." It sends a message to others that they can have their name in the rafters if they put everything they have into being the best they can for their team.

I'm not talking about any old role player, I'm talking about the guys who were loved for their hard work, leadership, being a great teammate, and so on for 10+ years with the same team....which RARELY ever happens with role players.

Post #69 » by **bondom34** » Sun Jan 13, 2019 3:15 am

BigtimeNBAfan wrote:Don't like it. You should have to be a hall of famer to get your jersey retired, not be a player that could have been replaced at any moment with no impact.

1. Collison couldn't have been replaced at any moment with no impact.

2. Retiring jerseys is done for fans and to honor a player who meant something to an organization. I'd say a guy they call "Mr. Thunder" probably fits those criteria.

Tor_Raps · Post #70 » by **Tor_Raps** » Sun Jan 13, 2019 3:19 am

HoopsterJones wrote:Class act guy. But is he the worst player to ever get a jersey retired?

Bruce brown says hi lol. I think they're comparable players. Bowen just had the luxury with an all time great.

Lalouie · Post #71 » by **Lalouie** » Sun Jan 13, 2019 3:55 am

very nice decision

HollowEarth · Post #72 » by **HollowEarth** » Sun Jan 13, 2019 4:07 am

slick_watts wrote:it's fine but i think they should have waited. there's something to be said for being the 1st player retired. dallas has to live with brad davis being their 1st. if they waited a bit it could have been rolando blackman, or derek harper. i don't understand the urgency, i guess. in 5-8 years they can do russell westbrook. nick will still be around.

sorry, this thread is about Jeff Foster

metalinguss · Post #73 » by **metalinguss** » Sun Jan 13, 2019 4:14 am

I wonder how long it will take till we see 3 digit NBA jerseys.

Post #74 » by **cupcakesnake** » Sun Jan 13, 2019 4:18 am

BigtimeNBAfan wrote:Don't like it. You should have to be a hall of famer to get your jersey retired, not be a player that could have been replaced at any moment with no impact.

he wasn't particularly replaceable. Collison was a near double double guy when he was getting minutes, and even after his role was diminished, he was a +/- god and a key part of their bench and culture. Any fan of any team should hope to have a mega loyal, likeable and impactful career long guy like Collison. Almost no franchises do in modern basketball. It's literally just Collison and Haslem and apparently Jeff Foster (apologies for whoever I'm forgetting in this category). They were unique essential characters for their franchises. Extremely rare for a player to spend their whole career with a franchise. Even rarer to not be a star/franchise player and be so well liked by the organization top to bottom that they keep you around for a decade or longer.

I hope more teams celebrate their guys like this, just long time fan favorites who gave their all. The only Wolves candidates I can think of are Sam Mitchell (we don't really love him after his coaching run) or maybe Doug West? Probably too late for those guys. For the Raps, I'd be down for Jose Calderon, maybe Mo Pete, eventually Valanciunas if he a few more seasons (obviously Vince, Lowry, Derozan and Bosh)

Priest24 · Post #75 » by **Priest24** » Sun Jan 13, 2019 4:21 am

Can we start a thread where we name a thousand players that deserve their number retired before this guy?

RunOKC · Post #76 » by **RunOKC** » Sun Jan 13, 2019 4:26 am

Not bothered by it one way or another

Barring a championship, him and Russ are the only players who deserve to have their number retired as of now for their contributions to the franchise

xxSnEaKyPxx · Post #77 » by **xxSnEaKyPxx** » Sun Jan 13, 2019 4:28 am

Priest24 wrote:Can we start a thread where we name a thousand players that deserve their number retired before this guy?

You should totes do it.

Joel Embust · Post #78 » by **Joel Embust** » Sun Jan 13, 2019 4:31 am

He played 14 seasons for basically one franchise only. (SEA/OKC)

He was a fan favorite in both Seattle and OKC.

Pinkyring · Post #79 » by **Pinkyring** » Sun Jan 13, 2019 5:15 am

Yeah this is pretty bad, the idea of role players having their jerseys retired is just crazy to me

goodboy · Post #80 » by **goodboy** » Sun Jan 13, 2019 5:25 am

Its the right move imo. Shows that the team is involved with the fans even more. Who doesn't love Foster/Collins and Haslem on their respected teams. It's a sweet gesture and tribute.