Jordan didn't break the color barrier or anything. Retiring his number (all teams) would be silly. As great as Jordan was, it wouldn't make sense. Then, does every team retire #6, #32 and #33 as well?
Also, it was just 2 weeks ago that people were challenging whether Jordan was even better than Kobe. If the Lakers had won this series would we be retiring his number in the Garden? 
I still stand by my sentiment that this retiring of numbers as the only way of honoring someone is getting out of hand.
First, as Roy has stated, only idiots ever tried to make the Kobe/Jordan argument.
Secondly, in my original post, I referred to Jackie Robinson having his number retired by MLB and stated that it was obviously for a very different reason - breaking the color barrier. However, as Roy Hobbs also stated, which I had forgotten, Gretzky has had his number retired by the entire NHL for his career accomplishments. The same could be true for Jordan.
Thirdly, I understand Magic and Larry's accomplishments and what they did for the NBA in the 80s. But to say that they had the same impact as Jordan is just crazy. A lot of this was due to the telecommunication innovations and corporate marketing surge of Jordan's era (the 90s), but nevertheless, he almost single handedly globalized the NBA.
Like I said, 23 is the most recognizable number in sports to almost anyone you could ask. It's almost on par with the NBA logo itself. For these reasons as well as his overall on-court impact, I think that his number above any one else (regardless of winning - Russell, Bird, Magic) could and will be retired across the NBA someday.
How old are you Rondoholic? I am guessing in your 20's. If you weren't around to actually remember those years yourself then it doesn't surprise me that you lean towards Jordan. If you don't develop team rivalries then you don't have a sustainable product. You put your admiration only to one player and then in a few years when they are gone you slip away. That's why I sat here for 22 years miserable since the last title. Jordan fans became Wizards fans and now aren't that interested anymore... MUCH bigger benefit from Bird and Magic. The league could have folded at the time.
You hit the nail on the head with the age estimate. But look, this is an argument that could go either way and I completely respect and understand your view on the matter. I, myself, am a life-long Celtics fan, whose greatest Celtic memories until now were of old Larry and the late Reggie Lewis. So, I will concede that I didn't live through the prime of the 80s with enough understanding to knock Bird and Magic's accomplishments. But that really wasn't what I was trying to do.
Generationally, I know it's always a sensitive subject because I didn't live through these times and older guys always want to hold on to the "the guys in my day were better" ideal so arguments take on a life of their own. I will try and wage on though and you can reserve the right to disagree...
First, going back even further than Bird and Magic... The thing with Wilt and Russell was that the league was much smaller and there was less parity and less overall talent across the board. With that said and trying my best not to take anything away from Russell because he's a legend, it was (to a degree) easier to consistently win, just statistically with fewer teams. Wilt on the other hand dominated because of his sheer size and coordination, something that was rare for the time.
Moving to Bird and Magic, they took the league to new heights after the 79 championship game and while their legacies were built through one another (the rivalry), in the same way, they were restricted in the eyes of many because there was no definitive better player. However, you are right, they both represented what the sport as a whole means and what it should stand for: they were both great leaders and team players.
Now, getting to Jordan. He did take complete advantage of an opportunity that was presented to him because of the success of Magic and Bird. And a lot of his success may or may not have been due to the fact that he had no true rival. But you could just as easily argue that he had no rival because he was just heads above heels that much better than any other player. My main point was that in the technological era of the 90s, the NBA was broadcast throughout the world at new heights. Nike, McDonalds, and Gatorate among others marketed Jordan and his "23" worldwide to a whole new level. Thus, the Jumpman and "23" attracted enormous new pools of fans all over the world. That's why, as I was saying, he globalized the NBA. The 23, almost more than his great on-court accomplishments, symbolize basketball and the NBA. It is THE most recognizable number in sports, and I really don't think that is debatable. And that is the main reason why I think that his number could and will be retired.
Note: Really not trying to be that quintessential young, Jordan lover. And I am not trying to offend any of you older guys by making this argument. You guys have to right to your opinions and I completely respect them. But I'm done after this post because I feel like we've hi-jacked the thread.
Topic: Hanging from the rafters / What would Ray & KG have to do to get their numbers retired? (merged) (Read 23037 times)