Phil Ford...Zion

[WhitePhantoms]

Saw a tweet referencing an article that came out about Zion. Apparently Phil is willing to give up the retired 12.. Tbh I'm not really a fan of that but idk..

Anyone know if we pulled it down for Zion to use could we put it back up there after the season?

 

[uncboy10]

Less than zero chance Roy would sign off on that. Antithetical to everything the Carolina basketball program stands for.

 

[WhitePhantoms]

Less than zero chance Roy would sign off on that. Antithetical to everything the Carolina basketball program stands for.

It seems like it's PFs idea. It's in an IC article

 

[Archer2]

I’m not so sure Roy would nix the idea, if Phil came up with the idea. I don’t think Roy would ask him to do so.

 

[Tom79]

Saw Phil sitting next to Zion Friday evening. Guess they may have discussed the topic. Not sure am in favor of the offer, if there was one.

 

[Darkhorse1355]

I sure hope we don't prostitute ourselves for a kid who will be here 9months max! Phil earned that spot and I know he just wants to help Roy any way possible but their are better ways. Roy would never sign off on that, he's not that prick in derm and to be honest, I'm completely OK with that. Kid is a game changer for sure but that's just a little much and if he loves unc and respects Phil he wouldn't want him to.

 

[gobblercalls]

NO

 

[heels05champs]

I hate the thought of this. The program is always bigger than any individual player. I don't ever want to see a number unretired.

 

[GoNtheDistance]

Don’t do it.

 

[MWHeels]

I sure hope we don't prostitute ourselves for a kid who will be here 9months max! Phil earned that spot and I know he just wants to help Roy any way possible but their are better ways. Roy would never sign off on that, he's not that prick in derm and to be honest, I'm completely OK with that. Kid is a game changer for sure but that's just a little much and if he loves unc and respects Phil he wouldn't want him to.

100% agree with everything you said here.

 

[TheFamily22]

I hate the thought of this. The program is always bigger than any individual player. I don't ever want to see a number unretired.

I agree! If we start with Zion, where does it end? If the kid doesn't want to come because of a stinking number, then go elsewhere. I want kids to come here because they want to be here and be apart of the family, not because they can wear a certain number.

 

[dadika13]

If Phil himself came up with the idea then I don't get how anyone can say "don't do it". It's Phil's decision and if he is the one orchestrating this whole thing then great.

 

[Green C14]

As I posted on premi - if that works on Zion maybe we should offer Moore the chance to come to UNC and wear the number of his all time favorite dook player.
Slippery slope.

 

[MWHeels]

UNC Basketball is bigger than any player.

 

[TheFamily22]

I don't care if Phil came up with the idea. If we start taking jerseys down for kids that have not done a thing for UNC, might as well just take them all down. What's the point in having a "retired" jersey?

 

[gteeitup]

i really hope it’s not at that point

 

[MWHeels]

I admire Phil for putting the program ahead of himself, but I don't see this ever happening.

 

[GACMAN]

I admire Phil for putting the program ahead of himself, but I don't see this ever happening.

This is why Phil was an all time great TH...and why Zion probably won't be!!! I will say this tho...if Zion were to sign with the Heels and come out and say that he appreciated the offer but PF is a frickin legend and he would NEVER dream of wearing his number...then Zion would be instantly loved by Heel Nation!!!

 

[bax4444]

If Phil and Roy say ok, whats everyones issue? Its a number at the end of the day- just a number.

 

[DSouthr]

I would not want that to ever happen at UNC! The ONLY exception I would make would be a close family member of a legend (like a son) and the owner of that retired jersey wanting him to wear it and have it agai8n retired after that career was done. Example, if The jet wanted his son to wear his jersey fine, retire it again when baby jet is done. But really, I wouldn't want to wear a retired jersey, would rather become my own player and have MY jersey retired.

BTW, exact same position I held with Bagley being allowed to wear a retired duke jersey!

 

[Steat]

It will never happen because Zion would relent at his own initiative. Can't have a retired number for 2 players. Zion could do someting in his one year to deserve his number being retired. I think if Zion really wants to come to UNC, the number would be irrelevant. I think his parents would also commniucate that to him. I think Duke is the leader for him, with UNC a close second.

 

[heelmanwilm]

Its phil’s decision? Can anyone verify that?

Regardless i’m ashamed this offer happened if it did. Sets a lousy precedent and makes us look desperate. If i’m roy now fking way in hell would i allow it.

 

[Steat]

There is reason why Phil sat beside Zion at the game. If you folks put 2 and 2 together you can figure it out. I'll leave it at that. Bottom line, why get upset about this possibility when the kid may not be commiting to UNC? Chill out folks.

 

[RoseHeel]

Fail to see the issue with someone WILLINGLY giving his Jersey # vs giving it without the permission. It would be considered the highest honor for an incoming player IMO. Not desparate in anyway.

 

[dadika13]

Who cares enough to be "ashamed"?

It's a freaking number. The only iconic numbers out there where collective sports fans think of one player are 42, 23, and 99. To me, those are the only ones off the table for baseball, UNC, and the Oilers respectively.

 

[MWHeels]

Who cares enough to be "ashamed"?

It's a freaking number. The only iconic numbers out there where collective sports fans think of one player are 42, 23, and 99. To me, those are the only ones off the table for baseball, UNC, and the Oilers respectively.

If Zion gets #12, what happens if the next kid wants 23? I think that's the reason a lot of people here are against it.

 

[TheFamily22]

Who cares enough to be "ashamed"?

It's a freaking number. The only iconic numbers out there where collective sports fans think of one player are 42, 23, and 99. To me, those are the only ones off the table for baseball, UNC, and the Oilers respectively.

You had a different tune when it was Bagley taking Ferry's number

 

[UNC&ME]

today's version of uniforms are NOWHERE equal to the unis of Phil Ford's playing days...and bring back the socks with numbers too!

 

[Tom79]

Amazing thread...I would think the University, AD, athletic dept. and Coach/Phil would all have something to say. Not a good idea.

 

[dadika13]

You had a different tune when it was Bagley taking Ferry's number

Not really. I said if a number was his #1 priority then he has some screwed up priorities.

I'll echo that here. If Zion is making a decision based on a number then his priorities are out of wack. If Phil wants to go out of his way to tell Zion (they were sitting next to each other) that he can wear the number then who really cares enough to be ashamed?

I also fully own up to the fact that I have a double standard and I loathe Marvin Bagley, Danny Ferry, and every other person who has put that ugly jersey on.

 

[Heelswin]

If Phil and Roy say ok, whats everyones issue? Its a number at the end of the day- just a number.

+1 .... isn't this our program? Then we do anything we want!

 

[bax4444]

Some of you are being shortsighted here. First I tend to agree with @Steat that Zion probably wouldn't even accept it anyway. But, if he did let's say he is great for us in his one year, then blows up in the NBA and is an all star, franchise type player. I can only see how the would benefit unc greatly and it might turn into a really cool story of how he shared a number with Ford.

I'm just saying those acting like it's the end of the world aren't considering the whole scenario.

 

[gauchoheel]

Some of you are being shortsighted here. First I tend to agree with @Steat that Zion probably wouldn't even accept it anyway. But, if he did let's say he is great for us in his one year, then blows up in the NBA and is an all star, franchise type player. I can only see how the would benefit unc greatly and it might turn into a really cool story of how he shared a number with Ford.

I'm just saying those acting like it's the end of the world aren't considering the whole scenario.

I agree. If Phil Ford wants to do it and it's his idea, you are being shortsighted to feel "ashamed" about that.

 

[DSouthr]

Its phil’s decision? Can anyone verify that?

Regardless i’m ashamed this offer happened if it did. Sets a lousy precedent and makes us look desperate. If i’m roy now fking way in hell would i allow it.

No, actually it is not Phil's decision to make, it is actually the schools decision to make. Don't get me wrong, wonderful gesture by Phil if he offered that but retired jerseys should not be worn in a game again unless it is the very narrow exception I offered. It isn't about Phil, it is about ALL retired jerseys, to lessen one is to lessen them all. Take one down and allow just any recruit to have it means there is no such thing as a retired jersey for anyone. So either end the jersey retirement process or don't bring one down but don't try to be a little bit pregnant...

 

[gauchoheel]

Take one down and allow just any recruit to have it means there is no such thing as a retired jersey for anyone.

No, it doesn't have to mean that. It can also mean you are recognizing that the whole point of retired jerseys is to honor a former player, so if that player wants a top recruit to wear his number you are being a bit silly and inflexible to deny the former player his wish.

 

[DSouthr]

No, it doesn't have to mean that. It can also mean you are recognizing that the whole point of retired jerseys is to honor a former player, so if that player wants a top recruit to wear his number you are being a bit silly and inflexible to deny the former player his wish.

It actually means just that, other wise rather than retired jersey it would all be honored jerseys. It isn't about 1 former players jersey that has been retired, it is about all former players who have retired jerseys. I personally will not waver on that point. Again, wonderful gesture by Phil but if that is what it takes to get the kid to UNC I would rather pass.

For me, Jackie Robinson's retired number for all of baseball is maybe the greatest honor ever paid to a player in any sport. That number 42 should never ever be worn again because it is about what the man achieved and that should never be bartered. That is my standard for a retired jersey, it should never be bartered...

 

[gauchoheel]

It actually means just that, other wise rather than retired jersey it would all be honored jerseys. It isn't about 1 former players jersey that has been retired, it is about all former players who have retired jerseys. I personally will not waver on that point. Again, wonderful gesture by Phil but if that is what it takes to get the kid to UNC I would rather pass.

For me, Jackie Robinson's retired number for all of baseball is maybe the greatest honor ever paid to a player in any sport. That number 42 should never ever be worn again because it is about what the man achieved and that should never be bartered. That is my standard for a retired jersey, it should never be bartered...

I would agree, unless it's the player himself who wants to "barter" it. Phil may not care at all about the number, but clearly does care about Zion.

 

[DSouthr]

I would agree, unless it's the player himself who wants to "barter" it. Phil may not care at all about the number, but clearly does care about Zion.

That is the humility of Phil, Phil has always put the success of the program above himself. If Phil felt it would help UNC he would easy offer his jersey up but that is Phil putting the program ahead of self, what Phil has always done. For me, Phil Ford's retired jersey is the one I revere the most.

 

[heels05champs]

I've not really seen a single recruiting analyst that gives UNC a real shot at Zion. At the end of the day, I believe it'll be UK or Dook so this will all be a moot point.

 

[gunslingerdick]

I sure hope we don't prostitute ourselves for a kid who will be here 9months max! Phil earned that spot and I know he just wants to help Roy any way possible but their are better ways. Roy would never sign off on that, he's not that prick in derm and to be honest, I'm completely OK with that. Kid is a game changer for sure but that's just a little much and if he loves unc and respects Phil he wouldn't want him to.

Great poast.