LeBron James: 23 to 6
“[Jordan's] number shouldn’t be worn by any player in the NBA,” James told TNT’s Chris Sager.
The guy’s right.
This past Thursday, the Cleveland Cavaliers entered American Airlines Arena to take on Dwyane Wade and Co., but not only was this a showdown of (what I believe) two of the NBA’s best players, but it also came with a little sizzle.
Whether it be Dwyane Wade smashing, destroying, dismantling, annihilating Andersen Varejao (in the new Jordan’s):
or whether it be LeBron James showing us how to finish a game, with PURE defense and clutch baskets.
Yes, this game had it all. Trash talk, stardom, everything! But, maybe the one topic that should be most talked about, came at the end of the game, with LeBron, Chris Sager, and Mo Williams listening in:
In my opinion, this is probably one of the most humble, and loyal moments EVER in NBA history.
Why? Well LeBron James is supposedly the next “big” thing (and he is living up to it), as he continues cruising by the record books, making the $$$ from Nike, and much much more.
With all of this hype, LeBron James can easily say he wants to wear 23, but he doesn’t. This shows how much the young phenom from Akron has matured. This shows how much respect a guy like LeBron has for the game, and the game’s G.O.A.T.
I’m about to say something crazy…
but Michael Jordan should be honored.
And with that said, LeBron James will end this season, whether it be with a ring or not, playing his last season with the number of 23. So many memories since his being here, but now we may see the true uprsing of LeBron. Not the legacy of 23, but a new legacy, a new legend, and a new era…
The era of number 6.
Now that my opinion is out in the air, I want to hear yours:
Should LeBron James change his number in honor of MJ?
- No (47%, 17 Votes)
- Yes (53%, 19 Votes)
Total Voters: 36
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* – PHOTO COURTESY: NIKELEBRON.NET
Tags: 23, 6, change, Cleveland Cavaliers, Dwayne Wade, lebron james, michael jordan, number
I wonder if LeBron realizes that #6 was worn by the player with the most rings in NBA history?
Bill Russell.
Shouldn't #6 be retired, too?
More players will inevitably come along who eclipse Michael Jordan and LeBron James.
If numbers were retired league wide, where would it stop?
Also, how would Clevelands fans feel about seeing the jersey of the player who eliminated the Lenny Wilkins Cavaliers team from the playoffs multiple times hanging from the rafters of the Quicken Loan center?
This tribute by LeBron also strikes me as a ploy to get people to forget about what he's done earlier in the year: walking out on the media and his teammates after loosing the '09 ECF to the Magic, trying to suppress video footage of an average dunk over him at one of his summer skills camps, walking out on kids after a 5 minute speech at another summer camp, etc.
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DevonMSF Reply:
November 19th, 2009 at 3:12 am
You make a great point Boris! Well said.
If Jordan, why not Russell?
Even though Bill has the most rings all-time, Jordan's impact has been felt
unlike any other, thus the reasoning for the idea.
And no, this is no publicity stunt. If you research, LeBron has always adored
Jordan, and what he has done for ball.
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JerodMSF Reply:
November 19th, 2009 at 1:24 pm
Agree with most of what you say here Boris. I think this is totally unnecessary. Jordan was a great player, yes, but he did not do anything transcendent from a social perspective like Jackie Robinson did. I consider MJ to be the greatest player ever, but I think it takes more than that to have an entire league retire your jersey.
Plus, how much bigger can LeBron's ego get? He thinks that just because he switches his number from 23 that everyone else wearing should be compelled to do the same? Come on. Focus on winning a championship and not on this extraneous stuff. Kobe switched his number a few years ago and we all saw the effects from a marketing standpoint. If you want to change numbers, just do it. We don't need some fancy and grandiose explanation. And if LeBron is genuine about honoring MJ, fine. Do it on your own. Don't expect everyone in the NBA to simply bend to your will.
Of course, that's what typically happens, so I guess we can't really blame him…
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DevonMSF Reply:
November 19th, 2009 at 9:29 pm
Great stuff J!
LeBron needs to concentrate on a ring first, then worry about the extras.
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I'm sure LeBron has always adored Jordan. The timing of it strikes me as suspect–not to mention it's appropriateness. Why push for retiring Jordan's jersey now?
LeBron is displaying his lack of awareness of NBA history.
Jordan has already received plenty of tributes. But if LeBron wants to see Jordan honored again, an award can be named after Jordan instead.
And what Jordan wants most is to play again. If his induction into the Hall of Fame wasn't enough, seeing his jersey retired around the league (extremely bad idea) will drive it home to him that his playing days are over.
Has Jordan spoken out and said he supported this?
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If LBJ changes his number, then I would have to change the "23" in my screen name and I will be stuck with a closet full of his #23 Jerseys! Would he allow me to trade my #23 Jerseys in for #6 Jerseys?
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