Apparently Lebron James Thinks Basketball Started in 1984 (Merged)

[indeedproceed]

Out of respect to Michael Jordan, who sat courtside and watched James score 34 points, James said he is planning on switching his number after this season from No. 23 to No. 6. It just sort of came out, but it was obvious he's been thinking about it for a while

Um ex-squeeze me? Baking powder? Lebron James says Micheal Jordan's number is just so precious, but he wants to switch to NUMBER 6? Ever heard of this guy?

"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."

How does this even make sense? Without Bill Russell would there have been Micheal Jordan? Without Wilt Chamberlain would there have been Shaq?

Bill Russell won 11 rings. He needs to grow another finger just to wear them all at once. He was the first African-American basketball superstar, and he was the first African-American to coach in any major American professional sports league.

But no, Micheal Jordan deserves the logo. Spot on, Lebron.

[Roy Hobbs]

I loved this part:

Now, if I'm not going to wear No. 23, then nobody else should be able to wear it.

Ha.  Way for Lebron to make that decision for everyone, since he's oh so important.

Maybe it's a sign that he's going to the Nets, where #23 is already retired.

And you're absolutely right:  if any number gets retired, it should be #6, the most successful basketball player of all time.

[indeedproceed]

I loved this part:

Now, if I'm not going to wear No. 23, then nobody else should be able to wear it.

Ha.  Way for Lebron to make that decision for everyone, since he's oh so important.

Maybe it's a sign that he's going to the Nets, where #23 is already retired.

And you're absolutely right:  if any number gets retired, it should be #6, the most successful basketball player of all time.

2 things: Number one, I wrote that while trying to also do work stuff, and I meant to comment on how ridiculous that sounded. "If I can't do it, no one can, because I'm the chosen one" come on.

Number 2: The heat retired #23 from the team in honor of jordan last year. Hmmmm.

[footey]

Lebron has decided to switch his uniform number from 23 to 6, because, apparently, he feels that no one should wear 23 but MJ, due to his elite status as a player.

Excuse me, but what about Bill Russell? Heard of him, Lebron?  He goes on to say how his favorite player growing up was Julius Erving, who wore no. 6.

I think it is ridiculous for any player, including Jordan, be be given such cult status, unless they contributed something monumentally significant to the sport.  For example, I totally get the retirement of 42 in baseball as a tribute to Jackie Robinson, for breaking the color barrier in baseball.  To compare MJ to that, however, diminishes the meaning of Robinson's accomplishments.

[footey]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4650907

Here is the link...

[Eja117]

I think it would detract from what baseball did for Jackie Robinson (which I think is the only league wide retirement. Maybe not).  Maybe try not wearing his shoes.

[nickagneta]

This man is so in love with himself and has such a giant lack of general history and etiquette that he should just do himself and his sponsors a favor and keep his mouth shut in public. Does he even understand or know who Chuck Cooper or Nat Clifton or Earl Lloyd are? Does he realize that Russell and Wilt were the games first black superstars, not Michael? That without Larry and Magic there would never have been a platform for Michael's game to be seen on. That Larry and Magic created the first wide spread love of the game and were the reason for the NBA to garner their first huge television contracts that made Michaels's rise and wealth possible?

Lebron is clueless and the more non hand shaking incidences, the more on the floor coaching he does to his team mates and the more he opens his mouth and says stupid things, the more I hate him.

[Fox40Kid]

I agree with what everyone is saying here, but lets say he picks a different number besides 6.  Doesn't this sound like and excuse to sell more jerseys?

[Jesus Shuttlesworth #20]

I saw the interview and it made sense to me cause Jordan was the 1st player to put it all together on and off the court. Sure, Russell was a great player, but he didn't have a signature shoe or apparel company. This isn't about just basketball, its about the whole package and entertainment in general. LBJ has a huge ego, but I'm 100% sure he was not disrespecting all the great players before Jordan. LBJ usually rubs me the wrong way, but he didn't this time, it seemed like a logical statement hearing it live.

[nickagneta]

I saw the interview and it made sense to me cause Jordan was the 1st player to put it all together on and off the court. Sure, Russell was a great player, but he didn't have a signature shoe or apparel company. This isn't about just basketball, its about the whole package and entertainment in general. LBJ has a huge ego, but I'm 100% sure he was not disrespecting all the great players before Jordan. LBJ usually rubs me the wrong way, but he didn't this time, it seemed like a logical statement hearing it live.

Did you hear Reggie Miller trying to cannonize Michael last night during the game. It was ridiculous. Sorry, Michael was a great player but if Michael never existed, I'm convinced the NBA would still have become every bit as big and wealthy and famous as it is.

The game makes stars, the stars do not make the game.

[twinbree]

This quote makes him sound like a narcissistic airhead. No surprise here.

[fairweatherfan]

I saw the interview and it made sense to me cause Jordan was the 1st player to put it all together on and off the court. Sure, Russell was a great player, but he didn't have a signature shoe or apparel company. This isn't about just basketball, its about the whole package and entertainment in general. LBJ has a huge ego, but I'm 100% sure he was not disrespecting all the great players before Jordan. LBJ usually rubs me the wrong way, but he didn't this time, it seemed like a logical statement hearing it live.

Did you hear Reggie Miller trying to cannonize Michael last night during the game. It was ridiculous. Sorry, Michael was a great player but if Michael never existed, I'm convinced the NBA would still have become every bit as big and wealthy and famous as it is.

I'm sorry but there's no way.  Jordan was the league's first international superstar - he opened up a lot of markets to the league. He was by far the biggest part of Nike's massive growth over the 80s and 90s.  He was and probably still is the most famous athlete in the world, and made a lot of teams (not just his own) a lot of money.   Look up old attendance figures - Jordan was good for a sellout or near-sellout everywhere he went, regardless of how poorly attended other games were.  His fame kept the league going during the godawful slow-down days of the 90s.  And how many athletes can keep their own brand going when they've been retired for years?  How many athletes can convince current star athletes to endorse a brand with his own name on it?

I agree that as a player he shouldn't be considered to be on a tier of his own, but as a marketer he has no equal, in the NBA or in any other sport.  Tiger's the only one who comes even close.

[huzy]

Apparently Lebron James Thinks Basketball Started in 1984 (Merged)

In all fairness, the guy wasn’t born until December 30, 1984.

I don’t expect athletes to be historians of their respective sports. It’s great when you see it and enhances your appreciation as a fan, but I don’t think it should be expected.

In regards to the #23 thing, take it for what it’s worth, a twenty four year old saying that Jordan is the best ever and therefore he wants to institute a tribute to him.

This is a complimentary statement on Lebron’s part. I don’t see where it should be criticized. With a lot of other negative things happening in the NBA, I don’t view Lebron anointing MJ and Dr. J the best to be an insult or a sleight on someone else.

If he said “Bill Russell is the greatest of all time.” Chicago would resent him for not saying Jordan. LA would resent him for not saying Wilt, Jabbar, or Magic. Miami would resent him for not saying Seikley…maybe not the last one.

But, I look at this simply as a young player trying to pay compliments to his idols. Nothing but good stuff if you ask me…

[KCattheStripe]

To be fair, Russell does have the Finals MVP trophy, Jerry West is the Logo, Michael should get something.

[indeedproceed]

Apparently Lebron James Thinks Basketball Started in 1984 (Merged)

In all fairness, the guy wasn’t born until December 30, 1984.

I meant the year Jordan was drafted.

I don’t expect athletes to be historians of their respective sports. It’s great when you see it and enhances your appreciation as a fan, but I don’t think it should be expected.

In regards to the #23 thing, take it for what it’s worth, a twenty four year old saying that Jordan is the best ever and therefore he wants to institute a tribute to him.

This is a complimentary statement on Lebron’s part. I don’t see where it should be criticized. With a lot of other negative things happening in the NBA, I don’t view Lebron anointing MJ and Dr. J the best to be an insult or a sleight on someone else.

If he said “Bill Russell is the greatest of all time.” Chicago would resent him for not saying Jordan. LA would resent him for not saying Wilt, Jabbar, or Magic. Miami would resent him for not saying Seikley…maybe not the last one.

But, I look at this simply as a young player trying to pay compliments to his idols. Nothing but good stuff if you ask me…

Do you think it is a coincidence that Lebron is also sponsored by Jordan Brand shoes?

If he was just paying tribute, why would he insist that all other NBA players change too?

He's starting a petition, it's different than one person making a gesture. He's calling on the entire league to annoint Jordan. My point is that if we're going to start sainting people, it shouldn't start with Jordan.

We have the Hall of Fame, and teams retire numbers and celebrate players in their own way. That should be enough.

To be fair, Russell does have the Finals MVP trophy, Jerry West is the Logo, Michael should get something.

So what should he get? A league wide retirement of #23?

Give him the All-Star Game MVP award (although I beleive Bob Petite won it more times)