The Official Retire "44" Thread - Dallas-Mavs.com Forums

bradleywillcrushyou44 · 06-23-2005, 02:18 AM

who wants to see it hanging from the rafters!

8 1/2 seasons with the mavs, classy player, top 10 all time blocker, led the league twice in blocks per game

Thespiralgoeson · 06-23-2005, 02:20 AM

I'd like to see his jersey retired. He is the franchise's all-time leading shot blocker.

dirk2003 · 06-23-2005, 02:22 AM

If he gets retired and agguire does not... ill shoot myself.

Thespiralgoeson · 06-23-2005, 02:31 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by: dirk2003
If he gets retired and agguire does not... ill shoot myself.

How many seasons was Aguirre with the Mavs?

StrikerV · 06-23-2005, 02:55 AM

Aguirre for Adrian Dantley + 1st round 1991 pick

Let Aguirre retire a PISTON, barf.

The Miles · 06-23-2005, 03:00 AM

Retire Shawn Bradleys jersey?

ROFL.

dirno2000 · 06-23-2005, 03:04 AM

IMO a team with no titles shouldn't have any numbers retired.

dirk2003 · 06-23-2005, 03:06 AM

In one season, Aguirre did more than Bradley did in his career.

Thespiralgoeson · 06-23-2005, 04:12 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by: dirk2003
In one season, Aguirre did more than Bradley did in his career.

That may be true. And Elton Brand may have done more in his tenure with the Bulls than any one of their players, but that doesn't matter because he was only there briefly. In order for a player's jersey to be retired they must spend the bulk of their career, if not all of it, with that team. If Aguirre's jersey is retired, it'll be by Detroit. Shawn may not have contributed near as much as Aguirre did, but he has spent most of his career in Dallas. For example, Jeff Hornacek never did much of anything in his career. Still, he spent all of it in Utah, so they retired his number.

Thespiralgoeson · 06-23-2005, 04:16 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by: dirno2000
IMO a team with no titles shouldn't have any numbers retired.

So by that logic, Utah shouldn't have retired John Stockton's number? Indiana shouldn't retire Reggie Miller's number? I have to disagree with you there.

Lebanese_Fan · 06-23-2005, 05:00 AM

No way can Shawn be compared to Stockton and miller. He didn't take us to greatness, Finley and dirk did. When Finley retires, his jersey will be retired. Sorry Shawn, u r not retiring material.

The Miles · 06-23-2005, 05:20 AM

Who is Pat Rhiley?

I do agree with you but when you have Brad Davis hanging you have to worry about Bradley being up there too.

mnmpeanut · 06-23-2005, 06:41 AM

aguirre played 7 1/2 seasons for the mavs, scoring 24.6 pts and 5.7 rebs. a-hole or not, his number should be hanging.

and like brad davis, nice guy or not, shawn has no business hanging in the rafters. role players on non-championship teams do not deserve to have their ## retired.

madape · 06-23-2005, 07:51 AM

His number should be retired. He's the best center this franchise has ever seen (even though they never really realized it).

I hope the mantis doesn't retire. He was the most effective Maverick this year, as he was for many years. He can go to another team, and be the missing piece. My dream is to see Shawn holding up an NBA finals trophy in one hand, while giving Mark Cuban the finger with the other.

jthig32 · 06-23-2005, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by: madape
His number should be retired. He's the best center this franchise has ever seen (even though they never really realized it).

I hope the mantis doesn't retire. He was the most effective Maverick this year, as he was for many years. He can go to another team, and be the missing piece. My dream is to see Shawn holding up an NBA finals trophy in one hand, while giving Mark Cuban the finger with the other.

I'm not sure they let the 12th man on the bench hoist the trophy. Might get to put a finger on it in the locker room, but not hoist it.

Missing piece...that's hilarious.

aexchange · 06-23-2005, 08:31 AM

the day we see bradley's jersey hanging from the rafters is the day chris anstey becomes the best running big man in the nba.

Mavs Maniac · 06-23-2005, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by: Thespiralgoeson

Quote:

Originally posted by: dirk2003
In one season, Aguirre did more than Bradley did in his career.

That may be true. And Elton Brand may have done more in his tenure with the Bulls than any one of their players, but that doesn't matter because he was only there briefly. In order for a player's jersey to be retired they must spend the bulk of their career, if not all of it, with that team. If Aguirre's jersey is retired, it'll be by Detroit. Shawn may not have contributed near as much as Aguirre did, but he has spent most of his career in Dallas. For example, Jeff Hornacek never did much of anything in his career. Still, he spent all of it in Utah, so they retired his number.

Actually, Hornacek spent his first two years in Phoenix and two more in Philly before he made it to Utah.

Rhylan · 06-23-2005, 08:59 AM

Don't retire the number... having BD's number retired already kinda makes the Mavs look like a joke to the league. That being said, we do need to have a Shawn Bradley night next season and have a nice highlight reel of him punking on guys throughout his career.. leave people remembering the positive stuff rather than all the stupid, "If I was 7'6..." commentary.

Spiral, FYI.. Hornacek had a lot of years in Phoenix to go with his years in Utah.

Oh, and... one of you guys that's really good at finding old pictures and video needs to start a Bradley highlight thread.

Mavs Maniac · 06-23-2005, 09:16 AM

Why does everyone love Shawn Bradley so much???

I mean I can understand liking him as a human being. He seems like a nice guy and all... but he SUCKED as a player in the NBA!!

He never averaged 30 minutes for the Mavericks for an entire season. He never once in his career averaged 10 rebounds per game. And after his first year and a half here, he never even averaged 9 points a game. Hell he only started half the games in a season twice while a Maverick.

NewMexiMav · 06-23-2005, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by: Rhylan
Don't retire the number... having BD's number retired already kinda makes the Mavs look like a joke to the league. That being said, we do need to have a Shawn Bradley night next season and have a nice highlight reel of him punking on guys throughout his career.. leave people remembering the positive stuff rather than all the stupid, "If I was 7'6..." commentary.

Spiral, FYI.. Hornacek had a lot of years in Phoenix to go with his years in Utah.

Oh, and... one of you guys that's really good at finding old pictures and video needs to start a Bradley highlight thread.

You beat me to it Rhylan!

Yeah, retiring Shawn's number would be a huge joke around the league, but a Shawn Bradley Appreciation Night next season would be very appropriate. I would guess that Cuban would be inclined to go for something like that. I've always felt Cuban was a Bradley defender. He re-signed him to a long term deal and he's always talked him up. I don't know why madape is trying to blame Cuban for this. After the playoffs, Bradley saw the writing on the wall that Avery wasn't going to give him any more opportunities than Nellie. So why battle through the injuries just to ride the pine, occassionally pick up garbage time, and constantly be the whipping boy in the media and among fair-weather fans? It's well-established that Shawn is a devoted family man, and he has put down roots in Dallas. While a change of scenery might revitalize his career and prove some naysayers wrong, I don't think Shawn wants to put his family through the upheaval of moving.

I'll miss not having him around, but I won't miss the frustration over his under-utilization by the Mavs or the legion of haters who liked to blame Shawn for every loss the Mavs suffered. The guy was an asset to the team and will unquestionably continue on as an asset to the Dallas community.

NewMexiMav · 06-23-2005, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by: Mavs Maniac
Why does everyone love Shawn Bradley so much???

I mean I can understand liking him as a human being. He seems like a nice guy and all... but he SUCKED as a player in the NBA!!

He never averaged 30 minutes for the Mavericks for an entire season. He never once in his career averaged 10 rebounds per game. And after his first year and a half here, he never even averaged 9 points a game. Hell he only started half the games in a season twice while a Maverick.

I think the "Shawn-Love" you're seeing on the board is less a relection of his on-court accomplishments (although, as long time Mavs fans know, there have been some great moments) and more a reflection of his long tenure with the Mavs which traces all the way back to Nellie's house-cleaning trade with New Jersey. Shawn and Fin are reminders of the lean years, when we all wondered if the Mavs would ever find their way back to the playoffs.

dalmations202 · 06-23-2005, 10:07 AM

I am a big Shawn fan, but retire his jersey.........I don't think so.
Even if he is the best center Dallas has ever had play for them (and that is easily debatable) -- he still averaged less than 10 and 10 w/o a championship. Retiring of jersey is way way overboard. IMO, the standards should be much higher than that.

IMO -- Aguirre-- mabye, Fin -- hasn't done enough yet, Davis (shouldn't have been), Ro - yes, Harper - no, Dirk -- (evenutally yes), Nash - no, Shawn - no, Donaldson - Perkins - any others --no

dirno2000 · 06-23-2005, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by: Thespiralgoeson

Quote:

Originally posted by: dirno2000
IMO a team with no titles shouldn't have any numbers retired.

So by that logic, Utah shouldn't have retired John Stockton's number? Indiana shouldn't retire Reggie Miller's number? I have to disagree with you there.

Good point. I guess the exception to my rule should be 1st ballot hall of famers that spent their entire careers with one team.

sike · 06-23-2005, 10:43 AM

Bradley's #44 does not deserve to be retired. It might have a chance if Brad Davis type players is their standard, but I think Davis was more of a sentimental choice than anything else. Shawn does not share the same place in the front office's heart strings as BD.

Mavs that should be retired: Ro, Harp, Fin, Dirk, Don Carter should have some kind of banner off to the side up there.....Aguirre if you don't consider him a traitor...by the way...there could be a good thread on this topic: "Mavs who should have their number retired"...

alby · 06-23-2005, 11:17 AM

if bradley's number gets retired, whos going to be with me to tear it down?

im serious.

sike · 06-23-2005, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by: alby
if bradley's number gets retired, whos going to be with me to tear it down?
im serious.

you would need a big ladder

I'm serious

Dooby · 06-23-2005, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by: bradleywillcrushyou44
who wants to see it hanging from the rafters!

8 1/2 seasons with the mavs, classy player, top 10 all time blocker, led the league twice in blocks per game

As the guy on Bob's Blog who mentioned this thread was here said, "I think I just threw up in my mouth a little."

Eman · 06-23-2005, 03:20 PM

Bradley's retirement cleans up our team just a little. Out with the old and ineffective, in with Ppod and Benga and whoever else we can trade for this summer..........Come on little Nellie!!!1

bo319 · 06-23-2005, 03:26 PM

Retire his jersey...uhhh no!
Mantis night during season...yeah!

Thespiralgoeson · 06-23-2005, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by: Lebanese_Fan
No way can Shawn be compared to Stockton and miller. He didn't take us to greatness, Finley and dirk did. When Finley retires, his jersey will be retired. Sorry Shawn, u r not retiring material.

It's funny how words can get twisted around. I never ever compared Shawn to Stockton or Miller. Stockton is the greatest point guard of all time, and Miller is one of the greatest swingmen of all time. Shawn, at the top of his game, was at best a decent player. My point in bringing up Reggie and Stockton was to rebut Dirno's suggestion that a team with no titles shouldn't have any numbers retired.

The Miles · 06-23-2005, 04:28 PM

Umm, Magic Johnson>>>>>>>>>>&gt ;>>>>>>>>>>>>& gt;>>>>>>>>>>John Stockton.

Thespiralgoeson · 06-23-2005, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by: The Miles
Umm, Magic Johnson>>>>>>>>>>&gt ;>>>>>>>>>>>>& gt;>>>>>>>>>>John Stockton.

That's very true, but one of the things that made Magic so great was that he was the one player in the history of the game who could play ANY position. When I say that Stockton is the greatest, I mean that he was the greatest "conventional" point. Stockton was a pure point in every sense of the word. Magic was a freak who spent most of his time at point, but also played center when Kareem was injured. Actually, IMO, Magic is the second greatest player ever, behind MJ.

Big Boy Laroux · 06-23-2005, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by: dirno2000

Quote:

Originally posted by: Thespiralgoeson

Quote:

Originally posted by: dirno2000
IMO a team with no titles shouldn't have any numbers retired.

So by that logic, Utah shouldn't have retired John Stockton's number? Indiana shouldn't retire Reggie Miller's number? I have to disagree with you there.

Good point. I guess the exception to my rule should be 1st ballot hall of famers that spent their entire careers with one team.

hmmm... what about ewing? or are we forgetting the seattle and Orlando years? I realize I'm nitpicking, but there really shouldn't be any rules (written or unwritten) as to whether a team can retire jerseys or not.

or are you saying that even though ewing didn't win a championship, but the knicks have at some point, then ewing's number can be retired?

What about ABA championships, do those count?

dirno2000 · 06-23-2005, 05:25 PM

The Seattle and Orlando years never happened...

Evilmav2 · 06-23-2005, 05:31 PM

Big #44 was the greatest center in Mavs history, and I say his number should absolutely hang from the rafters. Bradley has bled his blood, sweat, and tears on the court in Mavs blue for years now, and I believe all of that effort as well as his winning of shot-blocking titles deserve to be honored.

The Miles · 06-23-2005, 05:33 PM

Who is James Donaldson for $300, Alex?

Evilmav2 · 06-23-2005, 05:53 PM

Wasn't James Donaldson that slow footed lumberer who played for Dallas for five years and averaged a pretty pedestrian, near-double double over that time? The same guy who idiotic fans constantly bring up as the supreme paragon and exemplar of what a Dallas Maverick's center should be, and constantly proclaim to be, 'the greatest center in Mavericks history'? Well forgive me for not properly venerating the legacy of great old James Donaldson here, but I never thought that the man was all that great when he played for us, and I'd have a lot of trouble coming around to believe that a shuffling, slow-footed bum who lost his job to the likes of Terry Davis was a historically better center for the Mavs than two-time shot-blocking champion Shawn Bradley was...

Thespiralgoeson · 06-23-2005, 06:02 PM

That's a sad testament to the Mavericks if the title of "greatest center in franchise history" is between James Donaldson and Shawn Bradley. Oh well.

madape · 06-23-2005, 06:13 PM

It's a shame Bradley's career was ended prematurely by Cuban. Shawn could play 30 minutes a game for the next six or seven years (which he easily could play, fiven that he never was a man who depended on youthful athleticism and mobility). Given those years, and the last four years which were stolen from him by his stubborn head coach, Shawn very well could have broken Hakeem's all-time NBA record for blocked shots. If that were to have occured, we wouldn't be talking about retiring his jersey right now, we'd be talking about hall-of-fame.

Thespiralgoeson · 06-23-2005, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by: madape
It's a shame Bradley's career was ended prematurely by Cuban. Shawn could play 30 minutes a game for the next six or seven years (which he easily could play, fiven that he never was a man who depended on youthful athleticism and mobility). Given those years, and the last four years which were stolen from him by his stubborn head coach, Shawn very well could have broken Hakeem's all-time NBA record for blocked shots. If that were to have occured, we wouldn't be talking about retiring his jersey right now, we'd be talking about hall-of-fame.

Madape, if you absolutely have to blame someone for ending Bradley's career, aside from Bradley himself, blame Nellie. Cuban was the one who kept Bradley here for all these years, when he could just have easily sent him away. In fact, Cuban has been nothing but kind to Bradley. I specifically remember him making a kind remark like "Shawn will always have a home here" or something to that effect. Nellie was the one who benched him, not Cuban. And while nobody knows the details, I find it doubtful that Cuban has somehow forced Shawn into early retirement. The truth is, he never seemed to be passionate at all about basketball, and probably does want to spend more time with his family. So he and Mark probably came to an agreement. You make it sound as if Mark all of a sudden just cut him down in his prime. You talk like he traded Shawn to Atlanta.