MUScoop
MUScoop => The Superbar => Topic started by: 15th and Kil on November 13, 2009, 12:51:04 PM
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Since Matthews wears no. 23, I felt this story had relevance for this board. What's everyone's opinions?
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4650907
"Saying he is willing to initiate the movement, LeBron James would like to see any NBA player who wears No. 23 to choose another number as homage to Michael Jordan.
With Jordan looking on from a third-row seat Thursday night, James scored 34 points to help the Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Heat 111-104 in Miami. Afterward, the reigning MVP told TNT he plans to switch his number from 23 to 6 after this season.
"I just think what Michael Jordan has done for the game has to be recognized some way soon," James said. "There would be no LeBron James, no Kobe Bryant, no Dwyane Wade if there wasn't Michael Jordan first.
"He can't get the logo [Hall of Famer Jerry West's silhouette adorns the NBA's logo], and if he can't, something has to be done. I feel like no NBA player should wear 23. I'm starting a petition, and I've got to get everyone in the NBA to sign it. Now, if I'm not going to wear No. 23, then nobody else should be able to wear it."
Players changing jersey numbers, at least during this decade, are not unprecedented. James briefly switched to No. 45 a few years ago before going back to No. 23. Bryant, whose No. 24 is among the league's biggest sellers, switched from No. 8 a few seasons ago.
"If you see 23, you think about Michael Jordan," James said, according to The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer. "You see game-winning shots, you think about Michael Jordan; you see guys fly through the air, you think about Michael Jordan; you see fly kicks, you think about Michael Jordan. He did so much, it has to be recognized, and not just by putting him in the Hall of Fame."
According to NBA rules, James has until March 5 to send a formal request to the league office to change his jersey number. That request, though, would be pertinent only if James re-signs with his hometown Cavs this summer. James is free to pick any available number if he signs with a new team for next season.
James wore No. 6 as a member of the 2008 U.S. Olympic team at the Beijing Games. According to The Plain Dealer, he's also worn the number in Cavs practices in the past two years.
"My second-favorite player was Julius Erving, and he wore No. 6," James said, according to the newspaper. "I wore 32 in high school because Dr. J wore it at first. My first child was born on Oct. 6, it's my Olympic number, my second child was born in June."
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i heard they were just going to take the number 23 out of the numeric system. it will just go 19, 20, 21, 22, Jordan, 24 . . .
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Did Jordan die or something? It's stupid, just dumb.
Of course, there is a simple answer. Just retire his jersey, not the number.
Where have I heard of that being done before? I'll be right there George as soon as I'm finished typing.
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Considering all of his gear has LJ23 on it I have a feeling he's doing it to sell new gear and jerseys. But hey when you can't win a championship, you might as well be known as the guy who helped get MJ's number retired.
When numbers are retired, those who already have the number are generally grandfathered in. Examples are Mariano Rivera's 42 for Jackie Robinsin and Ryan Amoroso for Maurice Lucas. Wes should be fine.
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"If you see 23, you think about Michael Jordan," James said, according to The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer.
IMO, this says it all. When I see a guy with #23 I think "he's got Jordan's number" and I'm reminded of Jordan. If there's no #23s, there's no constant reminders of MJ. So from my perspective as a fan, Lebron's idea causes the opposite effect of what he's intending.
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IMO, this says it all. When I see a guy with #23 I think "he's got Jordan's number" and I'm reminded of Jordan. If there's no #23s, there's no constant reminders of MJ. So from my perspective as a fan, Lebron's idea causes the opposite effect of what he's intending.
This is a bit of a generational thing. As sad as it is for me to say, when my son sees No. 23, he thinks of LeBron. We do live in Cleveland, though, so that might make our experience a bit unique.
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This little bit of nonsense started with MLB retiring Jackie Robinson's #42...which I can kind of understand.
But the NHL retiring #99 league wide was just stupid.
This would even be worse.
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This little bit of nonsense started with MLB retiring Jackie Robinson's #42...which I can kind of understand.
But the NHL retiring #99 league wide was just stupid.
This would even be worse.
I thought I heard one of the announcers on last night's Cleveland/Miami game say that all leagues should consider retiring No. 23 in honor of MJ. I really hope I mis-heard that. I think it's ridiculous for the NBA; it would really be silly for other professional leagues to follow suit.
If LeBron wants to change his number, that's fine with me. But you won't convince me that it's not aimed at increasing jersey sales. As a Cleveland fan, I'm hoping this is a sign that he's planning to stay (because he'll sell millions of jerseys once he leaves no matter what his number is). I know, I know...wishful thinking and reading way too much into the situation.
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Maybe you are not reading too much into it StillAWarrior. If he were to go to another team next year, he would not have to petition the league for a number change, he could simply take any available number.
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It's fantastic that LeBron wants to do right by MJ and no longer wear 23...and instead wear 6.
Hmmmm, any good 6's?
Hey LeBron you ever heard of Bill F'n Russell? He won twice as much as your boy MJ.
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i heard they were just going to take the number 23 out of the numeric system. it will just go 19, 20, 21, 22, Jordan, 24 . . .
Funniest comment around here in a while. I like the idea of a married couple proudly announcing it is their Jordan Anniversary.
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Funniest comment around here in a while. I like the idea of a married couple proudly announcing it is their Jordan Anniversary.
I turned 23 less than a month ago, and I kept telling everyone I was turning Michael Jordan.
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I totally laughed out loud at this.
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LeBron is just paving the way for #32 to be permanently retired from the NBA...... ;)
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I am from Cleveland, so I absolutely love LeBron, but this doesn't really make sense to me even. If he wants to change his number to 6 that's fine who cares?! But to petition the whole league to retire #23 and such is a bit over the top.
Can't wait until my Cavaliers arrive back in Milwaukee though on Dec. 6th!!!! Coming to drop another 55 pts for LBJ, but more importantly get a division win!!! Last year was awesome!!!
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I guess he's upset Wesley Matthews is going to be the next iconic #23 and make people forget about MJ.
Yes. That's not in teal. ;)
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Does Buycks have to give up his number too?
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I get the Jackie Robinson retired number. Broke the color barrier, class individual, etc.
Jordan...yeah, great player but to put his character up against Jackie Robinson is an insult.
No way should 23 be retired. The worship syndrome has got to stop with this guy.
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So nice James wants to honor Stan Musial.
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my schlong is jordan inches ! 8-)
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I was watching ESPN at the bar tonight after the game. They have the whole social media/twitter/text feed thing going on. The jist of one of the posts that they discussed:
"With Wade's dunk it should be LeBron wearing #3 and Wade wearing #23"
Whether or not Wade should be compared to Jordan or not that comment definitely put a smile on my face :)
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If they should retire any number, it should be Wilt's.
No one's going to touch his record.
And it's not the 100 point one... ;)
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I actually think the Miami Heat already retired #23 for Jordan.
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CHICO'S IS RIGHT . JORDAN'S CHARACTER PRECLUDES THIS HONOR. HE ACTUALLY WAS A TYPICAL NBA PLAYER OFF THE COURT.HE WAS SPECIAL ON THE COURT BUT NOTHING LIKE IT ONCE HE WAS OUT OF THE LOCKER ROOM, JUST NOT REPORTED
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I actually think the Miami Heat already retired #23 for Jordan.
You're right. They have a banner in the rafters that I believe originaly was half Wizards half Bulls uniform. I think since then they've changed it to be an all Bulls jersey.
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CHICO'S IS RIGHT . JORDAN'S CHARACTER PRECLUDES THIS HONOR. HE ACTUALLY WAS A TYPICAL NBA PLAYER OFF THE COURT.HE WAS SPECIAL ON THE COURT BUT NOTHING LIKE IT ONCE HE WAS OUT OF THE LOCKER ROOM, JUST NOT REPORTED
Well, Kanye, Imma let you finish but...
I don't think his off the court activities should have any bearing here. He wasn't a murderer or a criminal, so despite objections to his moral character, his play on the court are what would spur this jersey decision. Plenty has been reported about Jordan off the court, but he is still probably the best player to play the game and an undeniable influence and brand.
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Incidentally, there is a growing chorus to honor Jordan league-wide in some manner. I have heard several people...including Mark Jackson during a game on ESPN...call for the league logo to be changed from the Jerry West silouette to one of Jordan. I'm not sure about that, but it's clear the league's African-American players take note of the fact that their logo is a white player who's best days were 40 years ago. I'm not sure it's not a legitimate issue.
Jordan was a MASSIVE influence on this generation of players -- look no further than DWade's recent comments about him.
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I have heard several people...including Mark Jackson during a game on ESPN...call for the league logo to be changed from the Jerry West silouette to one of Jordan. I'm not sure about that, but it's clear the league's African-American players take note of the fact that their logo is a white player who's best days were 40 years ago. I'm not sure it's not a legitimate issue.
Having the NBA logo on our uniforms would have to be good for recruiting.
(http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb125/ndballr23/LogoJumpmanNBAsmall.gif)