Hornets set to retire Pistol Pete's' number

[James_F]

http://espn.go.com/nba/news/2002/1029/1452934.html

This makes me really angry. He played for the Jazz, not the Hornets. :rolleyes: I can't believe how many people are having their jerseys retired by teams that they didn't play for anymore. This has got to stop!

[Geronimo]

All depends on how you look at it. Recently the NFL told the Colts quarterback that he could not wear diffeent shoes for one game as a tribute to Johnny Unitas---that only the Ravens were entitled to do that. may were outraged as they thought that Unitas should be remebered by the Colts as well, in fact some suggested that since he had so much to do with the popularization of the game that the whole league should pay tribute.

The Mets often talk about the rich National league history of NY and in so doing evoke memories of the Dodgers and Giants.

Pistol Pete was a local hero. I think this could help the team establish local roots. But it is all a matter of perspective.

[Karl Foster]

PIstol Pete's jersey sits high above the Delta Center in Salt Lake City. I didn't know it could be retired by a team he didn't play for - no offense intented.

[James_F]

Thats my point exactly. If the Yankees moved to Salt Lake City, I'd assume Babe Ruths number would go with them.

[Sandman]

My 02 cents, Pistol Pete played for the New Orleans Jazz and as I understand the policy set by the dome commission a number can be hung on display as long as they have played or were associated with a local team and played in the stadium, and press is saying that the jersey being hung is the New Orleans jersey and not the Utah, but the arena that the Hornets are playing in did not exist when Pistol Pete played, so in sticking with their policy seems like the jersey should be hung in the Superdome. There are players that played for the Saints and later for other teams and their Saints jersey is retired and hung.

[Karl Foster]

Pistol Pete played for the Jazz organization, who happened to be in New Orleans. He also played for the Utah Jazz for one season. His play during that last season did not warrant a jersey retirement, it was for a career playing for that organization.

I realize that he was a local hero in New Orleans, so reitiring his jersey there is a great tribute.

BTW James - Jeff Hornacek (played for the Suns before being traded to Philly for Barkley) is having his jersey retired from the Jazz on Nov. 19th.

[John Corn]

That's stupid. His number is already retired with the Jazz, the team he played for. It would be like Chicago losing the Bulls (somehow), and having the Clippers move there and having the Clipps retire Jordan's number. I don't care all that much, but it's dumb...:confused:

http://cache.nba.com/media/hornets/maravich_dribble_021030.jpg

[Geronimo]

Ther have been cases where EVERY team in a sport retired a number. I think this is a PR stunt but it is also a tribute to a local hero. Since he played there let the fans of the Big Easy pay tribute just like Jazz fans in SLC can.