Why #6 for LeBron??
by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on Mar 3, 2010 8:09 AM CST
in Cavaliers in the News
70 comments
With the paperwork filed, it is all but assured LeBron James will be wearing the #6 come next season no matter what team he is playing for. Of course, because of this change, many people are speculating why James decided on the #6. Back in November, after a game in Miami - where the Heat have retired the #23 in honor of Michael Jordan - James had just scored 34 points in a win over the Heat - with Jordan sitting court-side. James talked about Jordan and what he meant to the NBA -
"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, 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."
Hefty praise - a league-wide retiring of the #23, a-la Jackie Robinson's #42 in Major League Baseball.
James went on to talk about why he decided on the #6, which also explains why he wore it in the Olympics and at various Cavaliers practices over the years -
"My second-favorite player was Julius Erving, and he wore No. 6," James said. "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."
Many people are criticizing James for using Jordan as the reason for giving up #23, while ignoring the fact that other great players wore #6. LeBron is not trying to find a number that can become his own - though haters will always hate. LeBron simply holds Jordan to a higher standard than the other great players. The best way he can honor Jordan is to give up what he considers an 'unwearable' number.
Then, to pay tribute to Julius Erving, another of LeBron's favorite players, he chose #6 - along with the all the other links to the number.
In the end, whatever the reason - and I think LeBron did a good job explaining it - is fine with me. Like other 'controversies' that have surrounded LeBron, he's not the first to change his number - Kobe - nor will he be the last.
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Why Not?
Makes perfect sense to me…Not that big of a deal even if he has no real reason…How about I just like that number and felt like changing! As long as the 6 is outlined in wine and gold I’ll be happy!!!
by John Colagiovanni on Mar 3, 2010 8:29 AM CST reply actions
People seem to struggle finding real controversies surrounding LeBron James to talk about, because he’s not the type of guy who assaults people in Denver hotel rooms. They come up with anything and everything that can, and the start reaching. It’s gets really annoying. (i.e. the latest Woj column)
“Peddling jerseys” ? Get off your high horse Mr. Woj. Yes, selling a lot more jerseys is an added benefit, we know this, it’s obvious. It’s an insult to our intelligence that you feel the need to point that out to us. LeBron has been very open and made it very clear in the past his hope to grow his brand, and one day be a sports billionaire, have long term wealth security for his family. It’s the American dream, blah, blah, blah. But, he explains his other motives quite well also, and the sequence of events points in favor of that really being a reason for doing so.
Woj really starts to show his true motives at the end of his piece. “Win a championship or else!” is the gist of it. Or else your nothing! He’d love to say. “No more excuses.” He actually states. When’s the last time you heard LeBron make an excuse for a playoffs series loss? Oh, you made that up too, I see. “Legacy on the line” my ass. He’s 25 year old, you idiot. Jordan was around 28 when he won his first…
Haters will always hate. And aome writers who run out of useful things to talk about will always pull crap out of nowhere.
He’s 25 year old, you idiot. Jordan was around 28 when he won his first…
jordan was in his 6th year when he won it. james is currently in his 6th year. its not that absurd of a comparison. very touchy on the lebron front around here. i think if lebron wants to wear six in honor of jordan, then he should. but i do think its presumptuous to think that every NBA player should. its not his place to tell the nba what number should be retired. there are alot of amazing old school players that probably deserve to have their number retired also, no reason to single out jordan. as a laker fan i wouldnt want the league retiring 24 for kobe. the criticism comes because he thinks he can tell the league what numbers they can wear…
Buffalo, that's where it's at baby. - Adam 'Pacman' Jones
by silverstreak3k on Mar 3, 2010 12:54 PM CST up reply actions
Haha are you kidding me!? You are a Lakers fan and the first jersey number you could think of worthy of a league wide retirement is Kobe’s? Now that’s funny. And it seems you are comparing Jordan to Kobe also, which is even funnier. You Laker fans are real comedians. Haha.
silverstreak3k said he WOULDN’T want the league to retire Kobe’s 24.
"The idea is not to block every shot. The idea is to make your opponent believe that you might block every shot." - Bill Russell
Yes, intimidation is the key to domination.
by Marjun Raposon on Mar 3, 2010 1:19 PM CST up reply actions
Oh I know what he said. I can read.
there are alot of amazing old school players that probably deserve to have their number retired also, no reason to single out jordan. as a laker fan i wouldnt want the league retiring 24 for kobe.
He references “old school players”. Then says we shouldn’t single out Jordan to retire his number. Then he says he “WOULDN’T” want them to retire Kobe’s implying that he somehow thinks Kobe is the greatest Laker and first Laker in line to have his number retired by the league. Obviously I disagree and probably could find a lot of other people to join me.
Also he basically compares Jordan to Kobe, acting as if Jordan gets his number retired then why shouldn’t Kobe.
Maybe I’m reading too much into it. But that’s what it sounds like to me. And personally its a joke. But I don’t expect much less from Laker fans.
you may be able to read
but comprehension is still eluding you. i was saying that no one should have a league wide number retirement. even as an avid lakers fan i wouldnt argue it for kobe (who many consider their favorite player) or west, or chamberlain, or anyone else that was a laker. Kobe is simply the biggest name right now that most people not following the lakers would recognize.
how is it a bad comparison to compare kobe and jordan? how is it a bad comparison to compare lebron and jordan, or lebron and kobe? its not. the fact that you think its a joke is telling of your biased against kobe personally.
and saying kobe is the best laker isnt a stretch seeing as he holds many franchise records. please get past your kobe hate and realize a great player.
Buffalo, that's where it's at baby. - Adam 'Pacman' Jones
by silverstreak3k on Mar 3, 2010 2:01 PM CST up reply actions
I am Cavs fan and even I think its retarded to compare Jordan to LeBron. I think Kobe out of the two of them is the most “like” Jordan, but definitely falls short. But I’m not going play the comparison game because frankly it is a dead end conversation that will never be won.
And it is true, I don’t like Kobe. I think he is an amazing competitor and has a killer instinct, but I also think he is selfish (which I have seen a little change in him over the last year or so, maybe he is learning). I would never want him as my teammate. I don’t remember what issue of Sports Illustrated it was, but there is a great article in there that basically led me to hate him. He has a me first mentality that I would never want to be around. Not saying he isn’t an amazing player, just wouldn’t want him on my team.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/chris_ballard/05/27/kobe0602/
That is the article if you are interested. For me it didn’t paint a very pretty picture of Kobe’s “Team Spirit” but maybe you will see it different.
i see it as a guy
never complacent. never willing to sit on what he has accomplished. im sure for many that would be annoying. but im also sure that a champ ring would be worth it.
the problem is, people dont think kobe is “fun.” they look at lebron and they see the smiles, the dancing, the fake picture taking, and say “hey, thats a guy having fun and his team-mates love him for it.”
but those same people dont think (of kobe) “hey, thats a guy that wont settle for second place, and pushes his team to be better everyday no matter what, and his team-mates must love him for it.”
its a different kind of “team spirit” as you would put it. but one i think is highly effective. with all that kobe has accomplished, i think it works for him and his team-mates. i love for him to be on my team, pushing me to be a better player everyday. but some people are willing to be pushed like that, others arent.
Buffalo, that's where it's at baby. - Adam 'Pacman' Jones
by silverstreak3k on Mar 3, 2010 2:54 PM CST up reply actions
The best way
to earn more money and sell more jerseys is to change numbers, ala-Kobe Bryant. :D
"The idea is not to block every shot. The idea is to make your opponent believe that you might block every shot." - Bill Russell
Yes, intimidation is one of the keys to domination and victory.
BTW
I don’t like Kobe, because he and the Lakers always beat the teams I like in the Finals, but come on, he changed jersey numbers without saying something for an excuse, he just changed it. LeBron’s reason may or may not be true, but by saying his number change is for Jordan, he actually gathered more attention to himself (remember the shirt: LBJ MVP?).
LeBron is a very skilled player, and I think he is already the best player in the league. I know someday he will win a ring (may it be this year or another), and I hope it is in a Cavs uniform; but the way he said: “if I’m not going to wear No. 23, then nobody else should be able to wear it.”, says something about how he is arrogant and how he truly loves himself. Please, LeBron, as the new face of the league, please do NBA fans a favor, act more with class, on and off the court.
"The idea is not to block every shot. The idea is to make your opponent believe that you might block every shot." - Bill Russell
Yes, intimidation is one of the keys to domination and victory.
by Marjun Raposon on Mar 3, 2010 9:21 AM CST up reply actions
I remember that not too long ago people said Lebron didn’t have the confidence or the killer instinct to be an elite player, and now that he has that people want to knock him for it. Class? Class is not bringing guns into work; class is donating to the many charities that he does and giving back to his community, and class is ( as far as we know) being a good father and husband. If this is all the media can muster about a person that is a GLOBAL icon, I;d say he’s doing pretty good. Cut him some slack and enjoy the game.
I know he is a good person
BUT as a GLOBAL icon as you have said it, he must know the responsibility that he is always under heavy scrutiny. People will always find faults against him, knowing that his previous on and off court antics make him a slightly unlikeable player (and the fact that he is a good player). Saying that no one else should wear the number 23 because he ain’t wearing it anymore is downright arrogant. You think the people want to see an icon, a person who many (including kids) sees as a role model, talking and acting arrogantly? That was my point. As far as I know, ARROGANCE AIN"T EQUAL TO CLASS. Being a GLOBAL icon doesn’t entitle you to be arrogant, the title even ask from you the opposite.
"The idea is not to block every shot. The idea is to make your opponent believe that you might block every shot." - Bill Russell
Yes, intimidation is the key to domination.
by Marjun Raposon on Mar 3, 2010 10:55 AM CST up reply actions
no one else should wear the number 23 because he ain’t wearing it anymore
It’s not because he isn’t wearing it anymore, it’s so they can retire the number league wide. He’s the perfect player to set the example and he hope others will follow. Again, you can’t retire a number if people still wear it.
Why would they retire his number league wide. I can think of a few buildings in the NBA where the site of number 23 hanging from the rafters just might trigger riots. Well, maybe not quite that bad but if I saw his jersey hanging from the rafters in the Rose Garden I just might have to find a way to tear it down and burn it.
There is no reason to retire number 23 league wide. It is a far different situation than the league wide retiring of Jackie Robinsons number 42 and I don’t think I need to explain the difference.
This is what he said:
“Now, if I’m not going to wear No. 23, then nobody else should be able to wear it.”
Yes, he wanted the number to be retired, but he didn’t directly said that he wants to set an example (at least in this sentence). I was bashing the way the words were delivered. You see, words can be seen in many perspectives. The quoted sentence is arrogant to me. As a man in a big spotlight, he should pick his words. IMO, when I hear or read those words, it seems to have a double meaning; again, IMO, it seems like he feels that he is the only one that is deserving to wear the number, and when he feels that he shouldn’t wear it, then everybody should not wear it also. That is not only arrogance but for me it is a minor case of narcissism as well.
"The idea is not to block every shot. The idea is to make your opponent believe that you might block every shot." - Bill Russell
Yes, intimidation is the key to domination.
by Marjun Raposon on Mar 3, 2010 11:28 AM CST up reply actions
kobe changed his number because its what he wore in high school
or to quote espn he wore 8 for two reasons
for two reasons. It was the number he wore when he was a kid playing in Italy. It also tied into the number he wore at Adidas’ ABCD Camp, 143. The numbers add up to 8.
going back to 24 was just because thats the number he started off with in high school.
Link to story on ESPN
Buffalo, that's where it's at baby. - Adam 'Pacman' Jones
by silverstreak3k on Mar 3, 2010 12:57 PM CST up reply actions
A trivia
He said in an interview that he wore 8 because of Mike D’antoni. When in Italy, he had some connections with D’antoni (I don’t know what, maybe through his father) who was a player back in Italy. Mike wore number 8 and Kobe highly regarded him that he used that number. That is why you see Kobe and D’antoni has some special kind of bond and is evident when they see each other on the court during Suns (back then) and now, Knicks games.
"The idea is not to block every shot. The idea is to make your opponent believe that you might block every shot." - Bill Russell
Yes, intimidation is the key to domination.
by Marjun Raposon on Mar 3, 2010 1:24 PM CST up reply actions
It’s a compliment to the kind of guy Lebron is that this is the worst haters can come up with. He’s never had real scandals so they make a big deal out of non issues like some stupid dunk tape, the handshake thing and jersey number changing. It’s BS.
I have a giant problem with the following quote:
Now, if I’m not going to wear No. 23, then nobody else should be able to wear it.
Who the hell does LeBron think he is? Who is he to tell other players what number they can wear? If he wants to honor Jordan by not wearing his number then fine, but don’t go around telling other players that they have to switch their jersey numbers. Talk about freakin arrogance.
@navycavsfan
Have you seen the point? Irh86 shares the same view.
"The idea is not to block every shot. The idea is to make your opponent believe that you might block every shot." - Bill Russell
Yes, intimidation is the key to domination.
by Marjun Raposon on Mar 3, 2010 11:08 AM CST up reply actions
I see your point
and I never disagreed that it sounds arrogant. I took your “act more with class” comment to strongly I guess. I agree with everything else you said, don’t agree with #23 being retired and he should have just used his kids as the primary reason and Jordan as a secondary reason for changing the number. It just sucks to see the guy bashed over something so silly.
-As for him trying to make money off the jerseys, I read in Bena’s other post that jersey sales go into a league wide pool and not the player so…
-And as far as to the arrogance of the comment. You either like it or you don’t. I happen to love it. It’s a game and a league of trash talking, put up or shut up, and we know where LBJ falls on that side. If extreme confidence, trash-talking, or arrogance is what he needs to motivate himself and the Cavs then I’m for it.
Then I respect our differences. :D
"The idea is not to block every shot. The idea is to make your opponent believe that you might block every shot." - Bill Russell
Yes, intimidation is the key to domination.
by Marjun Raposon on Mar 3, 2010 8:50 PM CST up reply actions
The point LeBron is trying to get across is that the league wide retiring of the number (which he’s a big advocate of) can’t happen if people are still wearing it. Makes sense. What’s the point of retiring a number if other players are still wearing it?
What makes him think that he has any influence on whether other players can wear a number or not. He obviously thinks he is more important than they other players. It is flat out arrogant to think that because he says, others will bow down to him.
by lrh86 on Mar 3, 2010 11:17 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Players that wear #23 in the NBA
Toney Douglas – Knicks
Louis Williams – 76ers
Stephan Graham – Bobcats
Martell Webster – Blazers
Byron Mullens – Thunder
Wesley Matthews – Jazz
C.J. Watson – Warriors
Jason Richardson – Suns
I’m not saying they should bow down to LeBron, but I mean comon … these are a bunch of scrubs. Now is the best time to retire.
A players talent has nothing to do with them bowing down to another player. I don’t care if we are talking about the 7th or 8th man on a team, they still shouldn’t give a damn about what some egotistical, self proclaimed “chosen one” thinks.
PS: Jason Richardson is not a scrub.
Hey I’m not saying for them to bow down. I am saying if the league wanted to do this then it would be a good time to do it because it’s not like they are selling out on jerseys for these kids.
And yes I know J Rich is not a scrub.
And as far as I know the only person that “dubbed” him the chosen one was SI with that article they ran when he was in high school. So you can thank the media for that.
Find out when he got that tattoo and I will concede. It still doesn’t prove that AFTER that article came out in Sports Illustrated he became the “Chosen One”
I’m not arguing he didn’t come up with that himself, I just want proof.
It doesn’t matter. He thought it would be a good idea to tatoo it on his back.
Look, I think LeBron is a hell of a player and is probably the best in the league right now but I think even Cavs fans can agree that he has a giant ego. And if that helps him win a championship, so be it. I just think some of the stuff he says and does is a little out of line. Not that it even matters what I think.
I will agree that he does say some stuff that is not so P.C. I was a little taken aback by his comment when I saw it. But like every good fan I will defend him. But making claims about self proclamation without evidence to back it up. That just rubs me the wrong way.
Did someone force him to tatoo that on his back?
Did someone force him to refer to himself as the “King”? By putting that tatoo on his back and refering to himself with egotistical names such as “chosen one” and “king” he is self-proclaiming himself to be great.
They are nicknames … people GAVE him these nicknames in high school. When people in the media and people that surround you call you things … you start to accept it. I don’t think that makes you egotistical. You are just going with the flow. I’m sure there are plenty of people with tattoos on their bodies of their nicknames. Doesn’t make them egotistical.
I’m still looking for proof that he gave himself that nickname the chosen one. Let me know when you find it.
He didn't
http://nikelebron.net/lebron_james/tattoos/
He was given the nickname by an SI article like you said. Regardless, tatooing it on your body along with multiple other little phrases about how great he is can be construed as egotistical. Also, nevermind the ego part of the tatoos, as far as tats go they are pretty cool.
Chosen one is a play on words. It refers to his draft pick. If he was picked 2nd i guarantee you he wouldn’t have the tattoo. And about the jersey thing. He did not say he’s more important than those other guys who have 23 (even though he is) he just said they should also give up the number, not because he thinks he’s so great, but because he wants the number to be retired league wide.
by CavsLebronFan on Mar 3, 2010 4:24 PM CST up reply actions
I'm not hating on Lebron.
Its more about the legacy of the older players saying that Jordan’s number should be retired when other players before him are the only reason he was able to do what he did. Seeing as Jordan is not the equivalent of Jackie Robinson, and his number isn’t anywhere as obscure as Gretzky’s number there is no reason that he should be retired if there are other players with greater accomplishments that haven’t been retired league-wide before him. Wilt Chamberlain could jump from the free throw line, has the highest point total in a single game, just so happened to only win one title. Bill Russell was a player and a coach and won 11 championships. They were the first NBA rivalry, with their play against each other. Or you could even go all the way back to players who broke the color barrier of the NBA in 1950: Earl Lloyd, Chuck Cooper, and Nat “Sweetwater” Clifton. Show some perspective on the history of the NBA since he knows it. Those players went through more than Jordan ever did and did a lot more in harder times. They changed the rules to make it harder for them, not easier. They couldn’t even walk in the same door as other players. They were spit on, threatened with death, and all kinds of stuff. That is why their numbers should be retired. Not because they got lucky that Nike decided to take a risk on a college athlete and then made them the most marketable player in the NBA. If anything Jordan himself said that he wished his legacy was a bit different because of the emphasis on dunking that his ad campaign had. Make no mistake there would still be a Kobe Bryant or Lebron James if there were no Jordan, its not like he was the only marketable player of the 1990s or the 1980s. You had Magic, Barkley, Kareem, Big O, Dr. J, Hakeem, Shaq, and so many others that played during Jordan’s time, whereas the real players that inspired all of those players came way before them. So yes it is b.s. to say that Jordan’s number should be retired league-wide. Even if 6 is your number, just say I’m changing my number to 6 because my kids were born in June and on the 6th and I want to honor them. Don’t do this whole Jordan did so much for the NBA so his number should be retired thing. A lot of people watched because of Jordan, but just as many people started watching because of the originals, because of Magic, because of Julius Erving. Its just short-sighted to say only Jordan’s number should be retired. With that being said, I don’t think any numbers but the originals numbers should be retired league-wide. Otherwise, shit lets retire no. 45 too.
by Marty Mart on Mar 3, 2010 11:21 AM CST reply actions 2 recs
Also
imagine someone coming years later and saying you know we should retire no. 24 because of Kobe Bryant’s achievements in the NBA and he was their favorite player, and then changed their number to no.6. It would be so short-sighted for him to do so. And you know it would be a huge debate just as much as this is because of the history of the players that used those numbers.
Re: #6
Seems to me if any jersey in the NBA should be retired, unless once he is wearing #6 LeBron plans to go after Bill Russell’s 11 championship rings in 13 years. Russell set the marker pretty high for wearing 6.
On the other hand, I’ve seen Mr. Russell talk about LeBron a couple of times, and he seems to like what he sees.
I see it as a 25 year old kid asking for his idol’s number to be retired.
In his mind, this is the best way he can honor the person he looked up to and emulated his whole life. I’m not saying it should or shouldn’t be done, but I think making a big deal out of LeBron trying to honor his idol is retarded.
That is not the point
The point is that he is so egotistical that he actually thinks that just because he is switching his number, now all the other players with that number have to switch. Personaly if I was any of the players with the number 23 I would make it a point to let LeBron know that he needs to slow his roll when it comes to telling others what they can or cannot do.
Well good thing you aren’t in the NBA with the #23. I’d hate to see what would happen to you as a scrub on a team telling LeBron to “slow his roll”
OK
This is kinda childish but what exactly do you think would happen? Is he going to beat someone up? Is he going to call someone bad names? Is he going to make fun of someone because they are not as talented as himself?
The first one almost certainly isn’t going to happen for obvious reasons but even if the other two were to happen, so what. Big deal.
And besides if some of the older, respected players in the league were to pull him aside and let him know that he can’t be going around running his mouth then he would probably take that into consideration.
I don’t think he would do anything but laugh at you and then score 50 on your team the next time you played and swat you a couple times for good measure. I agree that if other people in the league have a problem with him they should take him aside. I also think that IF that did happen he would have some apology because that is the kind of guy I think he is. But for us as fans to bicker about what athletes say is dumb. Let his peers decide what kind of an ass he is. They are the only ones with the authority to say anything. That is just my opinion.
Please, i’d like any nba player to insult him, he’d put 50 on them. It would keep his average up and help him get the scoring title. I remember in one game a fan saying something to him in a close game, he blew up and dominated the rest of the game and we won easily.
by CavsLebronFan on Mar 3, 2010 4:31 PM CST up reply actions
Sure LeBron
I have no issue with him changing his number, it’s his absolute right to do. He’ll likely make more money as a result of it. Good for him…if he can accomplish that he certainly deserves it. However, don’t make some transparent, lame excuse about honoring Jordan.
So i guess you believed one of those lame articles where apparently even this is a sign of his massive ego. Let’s ignore the fact this isn’t about money because jersey profits dont go directly to the player. He wants to switch numbers because 6 has personal significance to him and he wants to honor Jordan, Lebron has done nothing to deserve a guilty until proven innocent attitude to everything he does. I’ve never heard a current or former teammate say anything negative about him so how about we give him the benefit of the doubt and trust the reasons he’s given for the change?
by CavsLebronFan on Mar 3, 2010 4:35 PM CST up reply actions
Windhorst:
Lebron won’t make more money if jersey sales skyrocket.
According to Windhorst, NBA jersey sales go into a league-wide pool and payouts are given to players based on seniority, so Z will get more money from the jersey sales than Lebron would.
So go ahead and remove jersey sales as the reason he made this move.
Yup. It’s so funny how people can completely ignore facts and make up whatever reasons they want just to bash LeBron. It gets so annoying after a while.
by Buckeye Brad on Mar 4, 2010 12:25 PM CST up reply actions
I dont get why he wants to wear #6, if he thinks #23 should be retired.
I heard all of his reasons, but Bill Russell wore #6. Bill is probably the greatest skilled center to ever play the game. 11 championships in 13 seasons is just ridiculous. Lebron goes on to say if there was no Jordan, than there would be no Lebron, Kobe, Wade… Yes this is true, but there would be no Jordan, if there was no Russell, Chamerlain, West….
It just doesnt make alot of sense to me, as Russell is one of the greatest champions that the NBA has ever seen. If Jordan’s number should be retired, then IMO, so should Russell’s and a couple other players as well.
"I work my ass off every day in practice. How many other guys can say the same thing? Not many. I'm fighting against becoming soft. That's the worse thing you can say to a basketball player." - Dennis Rodman
i dont think its necessary for the league to retire jordan's number
sure he had a huge impact on the game, but so did bird, magic, kareem, russell, etc. might as well go ahead and retire all these players numbers. the decision for lebron to change his number is up to him but to have the entire league retire it isnt needed.
"Just by the aura of D.J. Mbenga being there, the shot missed."
Great photoshop on the the picture BTW
The night is darkest right before the dawn
by Baltimore Warrior on Mar 3, 2010 8:40 PM CST reply actions
Shocker the majority of the detractors are non-Cav fans … not.
Anyways, a few comments of my own.
One, while Jordan was not a pioneer ala Clifton, Lloyd and Cooper, or even Chamberlain, what I believe LeBron sees in Jordan, is how his dominance in the 90s, pushed the NBA to the level it is today. While the NBA was popular in the days of Dr J, Magic and Bird, it did not become the “it” sport until Jordan and hs Bulls became the dominant team.
Two, while LeBron would like the NBA to retire the number 23, he has not “demanded” the NBA do it. He is hoping that his gesture will lead to the NBA to consider this option. (Personally I think the NBA would not even consider it).
OK, just my take, back to the LeBron/Cavs hating.
Yup. It’s so sad that it’s impossible to have an intelligent conversation about anything on this blog any more because so many LeBron haters come here just to bash him all the time. The real fans can’t have a discussion any more because these trolls dominate the comments so much. I don’t even bother making comments any more in some posts because there’s just so much moronic behavior. I really wish we could limit the discussion to Cavs fans and other people who want to have intelligent discussions about basketball and let these idiots take their LeBron bashing somewhere else.
by Buckeye Brad on Mar 4, 2010 12:31 PM CST up reply actions
First, its all about syntax and the way you word things.
Take this quote from above
“Now, if I’m not going to wear No. 23, then nobody else should be able to wear it.”
Most people will take that to mean exactly what has been stated here. You’re right in that its not a demand, but it does also present the fact that since he’s not wearing it, he thinks that no else should either.
He should have left it at:
“He can’t get the 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.”
This leaves little doubt that what he is doing is solely to honor Michael and not just to make sure that no one else wears the number after he switches his. Also, most people’s thinking revolves around the fact that Jordan’s been retired since before Lebron came into the league. So they therefore question the timing of it. Why wait until now? Why not have done it when you first entered the league?
Secondly, The biggest problem with this is that the second number chosen is the no.6, which is also very historical because of the people that wore it. If Jordan deserves his number retired, Bill Russell definitely deserves his retired. Its just a short-sighted remark as those who know of Bill Russell’s brilliance as a player-coach knows that he accomplished and dominated just as Jordan did and some would argue more, even against Chamberlain. Its not all about Lebron being a little narcissistic at times. It looks short-sighted and ignorant of basketball history even though we know that he knows it. This raises the question of: If you’re changing your number to honor a legend, why would you change it to the number of another legend?
Third, basketball has never been the “it” sport. Among African-Americans it has always been 1a to 1b in football, but nationally, football is more popular, then and now, and internationally, football (soccer) is still considered the beautiful game and the most popular sport. It was popular in the ‘80s from Magic and Bird, and it was the Magic and Bird rivalries along with Jordan’s emergence that led to the star-packed ’90s. Nike and NBC marketing took care of the rest.
by Marty Mart on Mar 4, 2010 4:57 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
forth
Magic and Bird changed the leagues image, in the late 70’s and early 80’s the NBA was known for its overpaid "superstar" cocaine junkies. Bird and Magic rekindled the Lakers Celtics rivalry and (dare I say it) David Stern had a major hand in promoting them and the NBA as a league place where superstars play hard and compete. When the rivalry hit its stride in the mid 80’s Jordan came into the league and fed off of the publicity the NBA had generated.
I’m not saying Jordan wasn’t great (because he was the greatest ever) but Magic and Bird re-ignited the struggling league.
by Scal4theallstargame on Mar 4, 2010 7:02 PM CST up reply actions
Now, if I’m not going to wear No. 23, then nobody else should be able to wear it.
While he is quoted as saying this, you and I both know that the manner in which he said it was not reported. Did he say it in a demanding voice? Did he say it in more of a joking manner? Either way, that is his opinion and he entitled to voice it.
Again, my opinion is that he believes no one should wear it because of his belief as to Jordan’s image to the league. Whether he is right or wrong, makes no difference, it is his opinion.
As for the 6 number, yes I agree Wilt’s accomplishments are important. But obviously LeBron feels Jordan’s accomplishments outweigh Wilt’s (rightly or wrongly). He has given his rationale as to why he wants that number.
And finally, while Bird/Magic did revive the NBA, Jordan took it to that next level. This is also the time when LeBron was growing up as a kid. This is where his idolization comes from. When the Bulls were winning 6 of 8 titles, the NBA was arguably the #2 sport behind the NFL.
Watch the interview
thats where he said it. It wasn’t jokingly, it was a flat answer to the question.
Wilt did not wear 6, Bill Russell did. I don’t know why you keep saying Wilt. And by no one’s rationale did Jordan accomplish more, he just made more money well I guess I just answered my own question as to the rationale.
The NBA was not #2 because the NFL was back then. Baseball has only recently slid to no. 2.
Lastly, you are right. It is his opinion. But can one’s opinions not be poor or short-sighted? Just cuz its his opinion doesn’t mean I have to just accept it. I am within my right to be critical as to the poor reasoning behind said opinion, which is where my problem is with this decision. I have no qualms with him changing his jersey to honor his children, but I do have qualms with trying to put it as honoring a legend, when there is an even bigger one around him and you just so happen to choose that player’s number.
Woj @ Yahoo
came off as a huge dick when he wrote his article criticizing the jersey change. Of course, what else is new? Consistently sourceless bastard! …..but I digress
"I’m tired of hearing about money, money, money, money, money. I just want to play the game, drink Pepsi, wear Reebok." ~Shaq
by Max_in_Missouri on Mar 5, 2010 12:53 AM CST reply actions
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