LeBron James to Give Up No. 23 to Honor Michael Jordan
When the Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Miami Heat on their home turf recently, Michael Jordan was in the stands and apparently inspired LeBron James to give up his number, No. 23. Instead, James will sport the No. 6 next season, which was his number on Team USA, on whatever team he plays for.
James wishes that the league would take honoring Jordan even further, and believes every player in the NBA should give up the No. 23 out of respect for Jordan. He stated:
"I just think what Michael Jordan has done for the game has to be recognized some way soon. There would be no LeBron James, no Kobe Bryant(notes), no Dwyane Wade(notes) if there wasn't Michael Jordan first."
Is LeBron really that concerned with honoring one of his predacessors? He's never shown an interest before, and with his contract in Cleveland nearing an end speculation is high that he will be looking to move to a bigger, more profitable market. Perhaps the number switch is merely a sign that James is looking for a fresh start - a new number AND a new team.
Either way, it'll be a boon to whichever team his with - Cleveland or any other team. Jersey sales will be unprecedented, especially if he goes to New York or New Jersey. But even if by some miracle he stays in Cleveland, the fact that he is switching numbers means again, huge jersey sales.
Comments
15 July 2006
4 hours 2 min
Umm, didn't Bill Russell wear number 6 and helped win championship after championship with the Boston Celtics. If the NBA falls for this silliness of retiring Jordan's it would be an outrage.
Was MJ the best of his generation? Yes, sure.
Was Wilt also the most dominant player of his own generation? Yes.
Did Bill Russell win 65 championships and put up ridiculous numbers? Yes.
Did the Magic/Bird rivalry account for 8 titles in 9 years? Yes.
Did Kareem rack up about 6 rings and 6 MVPs? Yes.
Is LeBrian Jones (whatever his name is) on track to be the finest of his time? Maybe.
Man, if retire MJ's number throughout the league, you're going to have to retire quite a few more. And who gets their name on 33? This stuff about Jordan being the greatest player ever comes from a kid who wasn't even born when MJ's first season commenced, and wasn't ten years old by the time his idol retired (for the first time). Yeah, we should take his word for it. Right... And I'm sure he's an expert on other past greats. Come on.