"I do not watch a single minute of Hornets basketball, have not at any point followed the team, and have never even been to Charlotte. Regardless, I have very strong (and correct) opinions about whose numbers they should and shouldn't retire"
He always deserved his name in the rafters, whether his jersey number or just his name with a microphone for his post career as our color commentator hes be exemplary to our team and the NBA as a whole really.
It may be controversial, but I want to see Kemba and Gerald Wallace's jerseys retired too. The franchise didnt have rousing success with either, but I certainly appreciate the effort and care they both put in despite the ownership and front office hamstringing them. They were also both traded by prior regimes despite wanting to stay so it would be a nice gesture from the new ownership.
Kemba may be less controversial than Gerald Wallace, but I think him quite literally putting his body on the line as the best Bobcat, by far, should be celebrated by the franchise.
TBH Kemba and GW should've had theirs retired before Curry.
Dell was a good player but I don't see the argument in his number being retired. Sure he was the team's all time leading scorer until like 5 years ago but the number was less than 10k. To have him be the only guy outside of Phills with his number in the rafters feels a bit weird.
He isn't the best player in team history, he's 2nd all time in points, and he's probably like the 4th or 5th player people would list as "Hornets" if you asked someone on the street. LJ, Zo, Muggsy, Kemba.
I honestly think there is something to being a broadcaster for the team. As a fan of the Mets and Islanders, the last couple years had former Met Keith Hernandez who played in the 80s get his number retired while being a broadcaster for years. The islanders also retired Butch Goring's number who also played in the 80s while he was a broadcaster. Don't get me wrong they are both good players, but it definitely seems like there is an effect.
You retire a jersey because of your contributions and what you mean to the franchise. Dell Curry is 27 years of making Hornets Basketball entertaining, bearable, worth switching on - both as a player and a commentator.
He's given more years to the organisation than most people commentating have breathed.
Dell has given so much of his life to our franchise, as a player and commentator. I'm excited we can honor him like he deserves! Stadium best be loud AF for this man, it's not often the Hornets get to genuinely celebrate our history!
I like the fact that we have always been super conservative about retiring jerseys, unlike a lot of other franchises. You could make an argument for any of the OGs—Muggsy, in particular, though maybe that’s been diluted by the fact that a lot of important players have worn number 1—but I think if you’re a Hornets fan, and especially if you have been since the 90s, this is a no-brainer.
I know this is an unpopular opinion, but I don’t think any player in Hornets history is worthy of a jersey retirement. We’ve never even reached an ECF. To say no other player can wear 30 because of Dell Curry just seems like a struggling franchise looking for an easy win with the fans.
We aren't the Lakers man, wish we were, but we aren't. No one involved with the Charlotte Hornets have ever given more to the franchise and the city. He earned this through decades of dedication. That should count for something.
Who cares if he was never an all star. The retirement is only 50% about his time here as a player (which was still pretty notable as he still holds many team records including most time played as a Hornet). The other 50% is him having spent the past 17 years with the team as its voice and ambassador.
Also he was the first Hornet ever and a key part of HALF of our teams playoff series victories. So I think he's earned it.
massive W, love Dell
The comments over in r/nba about this are ridiculous
Amazing to see how much people have to say when they don’t give a shit about the team.
"I do not watch a single minute of Hornets basketball, have not at any point followed the team, and have never even been to Charlotte. Regardless, I have very strong (and correct) opinions about whose numbers they should and shouldn't retire"
The nephews are clueless
Fuck them kids
Gonna be a fun discussion when Steph Curry comes over and see if he can wear 30 /s
Why /s? Steph’s implied a lot that he wants to pull a Tony Parker his last season(s).
The only thing one can add is it should've been done sooner. 👍🔥
It should have been up there along time ago.
He always deserved his name in the rafters, whether his jersey number or just his name with a microphone for his post career as our color commentator hes be exemplary to our team and the NBA as a whole really.
Very fucking well deserved.
Great decision.
It may be controversial, but I want to see Kemba and Gerald Wallace's jerseys retired too. The franchise didnt have rousing success with either, but I certainly appreciate the effort and care they both put in despite the ownership and front office hamstringing them. They were also both traded by prior regimes despite wanting to stay so it would be a nice gesture from the new ownership.
Kemba may be less controversial than Gerald Wallace, but I think him quite literally putting his body on the line as the best Bobcat, by far, should be celebrated by the franchise.
Oh look, a loose ball. . . .
Hang the Jersey Boys!
TBH Kemba and GW should've had theirs retired before Curry.
Dell was a good player but I don't see the argument in his number being retired. Sure he was the team's all time leading scorer until like 5 years ago but the number was less than 10k. To have him be the only guy outside of Phills with his number in the rafters feels a bit weird.
He isn't the best player in team history, he's 2nd all time in points, and he's probably like the 4th or 5th player people would list as "Hornets" if you asked someone on the street. LJ, Zo, Muggsy, Kemba.
I honestly think there is something to being a broadcaster for the team. As a fan of the Mets and Islanders, the last couple years had former Met Keith Hernandez who played in the 80s get his number retired while being a broadcaster for years. The islanders also retired Butch Goring's number who also played in the 80s while he was a broadcaster. Don't get me wrong they are both good players, but it definitely seems like there is an effect.
You retire a jersey because of your contributions and what you mean to the franchise. Dell Curry is 27 years of making Hornets Basketball entertaining, bearable, worth switching on - both as a player and a commentator.
He's given more years to the organisation than most people commentating have breathed.
Love this
There is no person in this organization's history that deserves this more than him.
Congrats Dell! You've earned it. Can't wait to see your jersey in the rafters the next time I go to a game in Charlotte
Dell was a key piece to my hornets fandom as a kid. Him LJ,Mugsy, Kendall Gill and Zo
Love this. About time
Dell has given so much of his life to our franchise, as a player and commentator. I'm excited we can honor him like he deserves! Stadium best be loud AF for this man, it's not often the Hornets get to genuinely celebrate our history!
Bout time! Muggsy then Kemba next!
Yes please
Now, have Eric Collins MC the ceremony.
Great move!
The real question is would Dell let them un-retire it for Steph?
Hell yeah
About time we put more numbers up in the rafters
I like the fact that we have always been super conservative about retiring jerseys, unlike a lot of other franchises. You could make an argument for any of the OGs—Muggsy, in particular, though maybe that’s been diluted by the fact that a lot of important players have worn number 1—but I think if you’re a Hornets fan, and especially if you have been since the 90s, this is a no-brainer.
Long overdue
Hell yeah! Can’t think of a better person to be the first player to be retired outside of Phills.
Would like to see Mugsy and Kemba in the next few years.
I know this is an unpopular opinion, but I don’t think any player in Hornets history is worthy of a jersey retirement. We’ve never even reached an ECF. To say no other player can wear 30 because of Dell Curry just seems like a struggling franchise looking for an easy win with the fans.
We aren't the Lakers man, wish we were, but we aren't. No one involved with the Charlotte Hornets have ever given more to the franchise and the city. He earned this through decades of dedication. That should count for something.
It does count for something, it counts for a lot, but retiring the jersey of a 0-time all star is not the way to do it, but that’s just my opinion.
Who cares if he was never an all star. The retirement is only 50% about his time here as a player (which was still pretty notable as he still holds many team records including most time played as a Hornet). The other 50% is him having spent the past 17 years with the team as its voice and ambassador.
Also he was the first Hornet ever and a key part of HALF of our teams playoff series victories. So I think he's earned it.
I mean it’s the hornets so sure I guess