LeBron James said he will honor The Greatest by switching numbers next season as he drops the No. 23 to wear No. 6 with whichever team he so chooses to sign with in the offseason. And King James wants every other 23 to follow suit.
Again. There is not a doubt in my mind (or anyone else of my generation's mind) that Mike is The G.O.A.T., but it does not mean he should be honored in every NBA arena.
Imagine the Knicks having a banner raising ceremony honoring Michael in Madison Square Garden. While it sounds like a good idea for ticket sales and marketing in NYC, how could a Knicks fan cheer as the No. 23 is lofted toward the rafters knowing how Jordan torched and tortured your beloved team throughout the years.
How about the scene in Utah, where Jordan single-handedly kept one of the NBA's most dynamic duos in John Stockton and Karl Malone from winning a title -- twice? Could you picture the look on Jerry Sloan's face as The Association honored the one player who denied him a championship ring.
Michael has done more for the game of basketball than any other player. I would even dare to make the argument that he has done more for his sport than any other player has done for any other of the major professional sports.
There are some people out there, such as Lakers coach Phil Jackson, that suggest the NBA should follow in the footsteps of the NHL, which retired the No. 99 in honor of its own greatest player, Wayne Gretzky. I would counter by asking if following anything the National Hockey League does is a good idea?
I mean, great you've retired the number of your league's greatest icon. I still cannot get a regular season hockey game on a channel not named "Versus." Yep, let's follow the ideas of the worst commissioner in sports. I haven't heard a better idea by a basketball mind since Pat Kennedy gave a DePaul basketball scholarship to Imari Sawyer instead of Dwyane Wade.
Luckily, the NBA has the smartest commissioner in David Stern. And by "smartest" I mean, "most likely to make the most money for his league." Stern is widely known as the best commissioner because of the way he markets his league and his teams. If Stern continues to follow that path, the NBA will not have a league-wide retirement of Jordan's No. 23.
Instead, he will allow players who have idolized His Airness since Day 1 by wearing his number in an effort to continue feeding off the M-Jeff teat.
In Stern's eye, the only way to better honor a player you love by wearing his jersey number is by purchasing his jersey, and the jersey of the players who idolize him, too.
2 comments:
Luis you have deeply saddened me. The fact that the idea was brougt up by (who many will argue) will be the next icon in NBA (and hopefully playing for the Bulls next season). I mean if the player want to honor that respect then fine. It doesnt mean there has to be a Jordan banner in every arena. It simple is showing respect to the player who defines basketball. There is no doubt in anyone mind that he is. Hell I know people who HATE the Bulls but admit Jordan was the best, and Jordan has kicked there teams (rear end) at one point or another. Now if the NBA were to force this without talking to the players that is one thing. But if the players agree, then I support and hope for that decision.
I loved Michael Jordan and I loved the Bulls because I loved Michael Jordan. But Ludameister makes a valid point. The NBA won't do anything unless it can make a buck (or a million) off it.
But I REALLY would like to see #23 live on. Did you know that before Rich Rodriguez got to Michigan #1 was worn only by a senior receiver who was the best one of the group. That's what the NBA should do. Team's best player wears 23. That's how you honor MJ!!!!!
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