Apparently Lebron James Thinks Basketball Started in 1984 (Merged)

[LB3533]

I think Bill Russell has done more for the Celtic Franchise than anyone not named Red.

But Jordan has done more for the game of basketball and more for the NBA than any other player, period.

If any player deserves to have his old jersey number retired throughout the league, it's Jordan.

[WeMadeIt17]

I know my history including the celtics and i understand that Bill Russell is the best winner of all time but perhaps not the best player of all time, and my whole point is how kids now-a-days don't know anything about the past NBA and how Bill Russell IS one of the best Players of all time and winners. The point i was making is if you go up to a 23 year old kid right now i gurantee you ask who is the best player of all time and he will say MJ, just because we grew up watching him. Just like LeBron grew up watching him. No matter what anyone says to me MJ is the greatest of all time! Nobody! I mean that as the Greenest of them all. I love larry,bill,hondo, and every single great player there has been in Celtic history but there has been no one better then MJ! Thats all trust me i know what Bill has done in his career but as a PLAYER MJ is better. Thats all. 

Its really whatever i mean i will be the first one to argue that Bill Russell is top 5 players all time in NBA's history but in no way is he better the Mike and you have to realize the time we are in, in which NBA players now grew up watching MJ not Bill. I am only 19 but i would have to say i wouldn't argue a league wide retirement of the number 23 i believe they do it in baseball for Jackie Robinson where of course it was a bigger deal but, the only reason people ever wear 23 is to think they are like mike but they just wont be. LeBron is the closest to being like Mike and wear his number. I have to say i am all for the idea of LeBron changing his number. Actually going to make his own mark and make people want to be like LeBron not like mike, And the reason why he is going to wear 6 is because its what he wore in the Olympics. Well anyways maybe he will come hear and wear the number 8! Here is to wishing!

Kid, Bill Russell isn't just a "top 5" player, as you put it. He is number one. He played 13 seasons, and is responsible for 11 NBA championships. Yes, he had great team mates, but he was the mvp of each of those teams.  He was the ultimate winner.  No one comes close in that category, which is why we play the games.  I forgive you because you are young, but you need to learn your NBA history more, starting with the Celtics.  

[Aeacus]

I think Bill Russell has done more for the Celtic Franchise than anyone not named Red.

But Jordan has done more for the game of basketball and more for the NBA than any other player, period.

If any player deserves to have his old jersey number retired throughout the league, it's Jordan.

Jordan did more for the Bulls and Nike than any player not named Jordan.  He was the first commercial juggernaut for the NBA and was his decade's most dominant player.  He made more money than anyone before and raised the amount players could make with shoes and endorsements.

As for contributions to the league, Bird and Magic did more for the league than Jordan.  The league was in far worse shape when they arrived and made it into national tv.  They brought a ton of college fans to the NBA with their rivalry.  Bill Russell did more historically than Jordan, being the first black head coach in major sports and winning a crazy number of titles.  Jordan's number should be retired by the Bulls, not by the rest of the league.  

I know this is a young versus old debate, with the guys who grew up watching Jordan struggling to imagine why people would disagree, so let me put it this way, say the Lakers go on a crazy run, stay healthy, and are blessed with divine grace to win four more championships (five in a row).  Do we all of a sudden retire Kobe's number league wide for his contributions to the sport?  

    

[Roy Hobbs]

I know my history including the celtics and i understand that Bill Russell is the best winner of all time but perhaps not the best player of all time, and my whole point is how kids now-a-days don't know anything about the past NBA and how Bill Russell IS one of the best Players of all time and winners. The point i was making is if you go up to a 23 year old kid right now i gurantee you ask who is the best player of all time and he will say MJ, just because we grew up watching him. Just like LeBron grew up watching him. No matter what anyone says to me MJ is the greatest of all time! Nobody! I mean that as the Greenest of them all. I love larry,bill,hondo, and every single great player there has been in Celtic history but there has been no one better then MJ! Thats all trust me i know what Bill has done in his career but as a PLAYER MJ is better. Thats all. 

Its really whatever i mean i will be the first one to argue that Bill Russell is top 5 players all time in NBA's history but in no way is he better the Mike and you have to realize the time we are in, in which NBA players now grew up watching MJ not Bill. I am only 19 but i would have to say i wouldn't argue a league wide retirement of the number 23 i believe they do it in baseball for Jackie Robinson where of course it was a bigger deal but, the only reason people ever wear 23 is to think they are like mike but they just wont be. LeBron is the closest to being like Mike and wear his number. I have to say i am all for the idea of LeBron changing his number. Actually going to make his own mark and make people want to be like LeBron not like mike, And the reason why he is going to wear 6 is because its what he wore in the Olympics. Well anyways maybe he will come hear and wear the number 8! Here is to wishing!

Kid, Bill Russell isn't just a "top 5" player, as you put it. He is number one. He played 13 seasons, and is responsible for 11 NBA championships. Yes, he had great team mates, but he was the mvp of each of those teams.  He was the ultimate winner.  No one comes close in that category, which is why we play the games.  I forgive you because you are young, but you need to learn your NBA history more, starting with the Celtics.  

What's your opinion based upon, though?  How many games of Russell's did you watch?  Presumably, very few.  How can you say that he wasn't as good as MJ, then, other than media hype?

11 championships in 13 seasons, 2 college championships, and a gold medal.  If there was anybody ever better, I'm not sure who it was.

[jackson_34]

I think Bill Russell has done more for the Celtic Franchise than anyone not named Red.

But Jordan has done more for the game of basketball and more for the NBA than any other player, period.

If any player deserves to have his old jersey number retired throughout the league, it's Jordan.

Jordan did more for the Bulls and Nike than any player not named Jordan.  He was the first commercial juggernaut for the NBA and was his decade's most dominant player.  He made more money than anyone before and raised the amount players could make with shoes and endorsements.

As for contributions to the league, Bird and Magic did more for the league than Jordan.  The league was in far worse shape when they arrived and made it into national tv.  They brought a ton of college fans to the NBA with their rivalry.  Bill Russell did more historically than Jordan, being the first black head coach in major sports and winning a crazy number of titles.  Jordan's number should be retired by the Bulls, not by the rest of the league.  

I know this is a young versus old debate, with the guys who grew up watching Jordan struggling to imagine why people would disagree, so let me put it this way, say the Lakers go on a crazy run, stay healthy, and are blessed with divine grace to win four more championships (five in a row).  Do we all of a sudden retire Kobe's number league wide for his contributions to the sport?  

    

I Beg to Differ, The Magic/Bird rivalry was great for the game no question, but it was a product built from their college rivalry and really didn't increase the image internationally. Jordan did, he really made the game a true international success. Through endorsements no question, but being the most well known member of the dream team at the '92 olympics. Jordans' games of the 90's were the first true exposure to NBA basketball and the reason I can see every single game of a Domestic league from the other side of the world live from my computer and TV. The NBA owes plenty to having a player like Jordan for making their product an international success story. I think most international fans will agree with me on this.

[RAcker]

I think Bill Russell has done more for the Celtic Franchise than anyone not named Red.

But Jordan has done more for the game of basketball and more for the NBA than any other player, period.

If any player deserves to have his old jersey number retired throughout the league, it's Jordan.

Jordan did more for the Bulls and Nike than any player not named Jordan.  He was the first commercial juggernaut for the NBA and was his decade's most dominant player.  He made more money than anyone before and raised the amount players could make with shoes and endorsements.

As for contributions to the league, Bird and Magic did more for the league than Jordan.  The league was in far worse shape when they arrived and made it into national tv.  They brought a ton of college fans to the NBA with their rivalry.  Bill Russell did more historically than Jordan, being the first black head coach in major sports and winning a crazy number of titles.  Jordan's number should be retired by the Bulls, not by the rest of the league.  

I know this is a young versus old debate, with the guys who grew up watching Jordan struggling to imagine why people would disagree, so let me put it this way, say the Lakers go on a crazy run, stay healthy, and are blessed with divine grace to win four more championships (five in a row).  Do we all of a sudden retire Kobe's number league wide for his contributions to the sport?  

    

I Beg to Differ, The Magic/Bird rivalry was great for the game no question, but it was a product built from their college rivalry and really didn't increase the image internationally. Jordan did, he really made the game a true international success. Through endorsements no question, but being the most well known member of the dream team at the '92 olympics. Jordans' games of the 90's were the first true exposure to NBA basketball and the reason I can see every single game of a Domestic league from the other side of the world live from my computer and TV. The NBA owes plenty to having a player like Jordan for making their product an international success story. I think most international fans will agree with me on this.

But what if there was no NBA for Jordan to play in?

The groundwork was already laid for Jordan...and the architects of that were Larry Bird and Magic Johnson.

[Boris Badenov]

Is it possible that everyone is getting worked up about the wrong thing here?

Which of the two statements below do you think better captures LeBron's true motivation:

1. "I really think that my wearing #23 is an insult to MJ, because he is the best player ever...so I'm going to switch jersey numbers."
2. "If I switch jersey numbers, I will sell millions more jerseys!"

I'm a bit peeved that he is engaged in such a crass attempt to sell more shirts. But I find it hard to believe that he is doing this based on principle. Whether the premise behind #1 ("MJ is the best ever") is true or not seems irrelevant.

Note that announcing the switch in advance will also make thousands of people rush out to buy the old, "collector's item" #23 jersey.

[Aeacus]

I think Bill Russell has done more for the Celtic Franchise than anyone not named Red.

But Jordan has done more for the game of basketball and more for the NBA than any other player, period.

If any player deserves to have his old jersey number retired throughout the league, it's Jordan.

Jordan did more for the Bulls and Nike than any player not named Jordan.  He was the first commercial juggernaut for the NBA and was his decade's most dominant player.  He made more money than anyone before and raised the amount players could make with shoes and endorsements.

As for contributions to the league, Bird and Magic did more for the league than Jordan.  The league was in far worse shape when they arrived and made it into national tv.  They brought a ton of college fans to the NBA with their rivalry.  Bill Russell did more historically than Jordan, being the first black head coach in major sports and winning a crazy number of titles.  Jordan's number should be retired by the Bulls, not by the rest of the league.  

I know this is a young versus old debate, with the guys who grew up watching Jordan struggling to imagine why people would disagree, so let me put it this way, say the Lakers go on a crazy run, stay healthy, and are blessed with divine grace to win four more championships (five in a row).  Do we all of a sudden retire Kobe's number league wide for his contributions to the sport?  

    

I Beg to Differ, The Magic/Bird rivalry was great for the game no question, but it was a product built from their college rivalry and really didn't increase the image internationally. Jordan did, he really made the game a true international success. Through endorsements no question, but being the most well known member of the dream team at the '92 olympics. Jordans' games of the 90's were the first true exposure to NBA basketball and the reason I can see every single game of a Domestic league from the other side of the world live from my computer and TV. The NBA owes plenty to having a player like Jordan for making their product an international success story. I think most international fans will agree with me on this.

Did that team need Jordan though?  He was the star who took front stage on it and the one that tried to grab the headlines (the covering the logo with the flag still irks me a bit).  But that team with out him would have grabbed as much attention.  It signaled to the world that the US professionals were miles better than anyone else. Our winning margin might have gone down by 4 points, but they still would have destroyed everyone.  I think this is more of an age/exposure to the sport thing.    

Read about some of the basketball clinics the pro teams (including the Celtics) went on years before to spread the sport internationally.  There were a lot of goodwill trips that taught local coaches and players the game well before those Olympic games.      

[tbs]

LeBron is right -- something needs to be done to recognize Jordan, because nobody at any time has ever given Michael Jordan the adulation or recognition that he so richly deserves.  He was neglected by the media, ignored as an endorser, and rarely even compensated monetarily, and nobody can relate to this more than King James.

[Aeacus]

LeBron is right -- something needs to be done to recognize Jordan, because nobody at any time has ever given Michael Jordan the adulation or recognition that he so richly deserves.  He was neglected by the media, ignored as an endorser, and rarely even compensated monetarily, and nobody can relate to this more than King James.

A TP for you sir! 

[Redz]

So is his new number 45 to honor a lesser Jordan?

[jackson_34]

I think Bill Russell has done more for the Celtic Franchise than anyone not named Red.

But Jordan has done more for the game of basketball and more for the NBA than any other player, period.

If any player deserves to have his old jersey number retired throughout the league, it's Jordan.

Jordan did more for the Bulls and Nike than any player not named Jordan.  He was the first commercial juggernaut for the NBA and was his decade's most dominant player.  He made more money than anyone before and raised the amount players could make with shoes and endorsements.

As for contributions to the league, Bird and Magic did more for the league than Jordan.  The league was in far worse shape when they arrived and made it into national tv.  They brought a ton of college fans to the NBA with their rivalry.  Bill Russell did more historically than Jordan, being the first black head coach in major sports and winning a crazy number of titles.  Jordan's number should be retired by the Bulls, not by the rest of the league.  

I know this is a young versus old debate, with the guys who grew up watching Jordan struggling to imagine why people would disagree, so let me put it this way, say the Lakers go on a crazy run, stay healthy, and are blessed with divine grace to win four more championships (five in a row).  Do we all of a sudden retire Kobe's number league wide for his contributions to the sport?  

    

I Beg to Differ, The Magic/Bird rivalry was great for the game no question, but it was a product built from their college rivalry and really didn't increase the image internationally. Jordan did, he really made the game a true international success. Through endorsements no question, but being the most well known member of the dream team at the '92 olympics. Jordans' games of the 90's were the first true exposure to NBA basketball and the reason I can see every single game of a Domestic league from the other side of the world live from my computer and TV. The NBA owes plenty to having a player like Jordan for making their product an international success story. I think most international fans will agree with me on this.

Did that team need Jordan though?  He was the star who took front stage on it and the one that tried to grab the headlines (the covering the logo with the flag still irks me a bit).  But that team with out him would have grabbed as much attention.  It signaled to the world that the US professionals were miles better than anyone else. Our winning margin might have gone down by 4 points, but they still would have destroyed everyone.  I think this is more of an age/exposure to the sport thing.    

Read about some of the basketball clinics the pro teams (including the Celtics) went on years before to spread the sport internationally.  There were a lot of goodwill trips that taught local coaches and players the game well before those Olympic games.      

That's sort of the point I am trying to make, he did take the limelight on a team with 10 of the 50 greatest players on it. The dream team wasn't just Jordan obviously, but if you asked an average person what basketball player they knew from that team, I'd say the majority would point to Jordan. (This is coming from an International viewpoint, of course )

The International Camps are all well and good, but they didn't bring the NBA to the mainstream conscience of world like Jordan did in the 90's. The mass selling of nike and subsequently the Jordan brand, The showing of NBA games abroad the Dream Team of the 92 olympics all have one thing in common, can you guess what that is?  

(Just to clarify, I am fully aware the legacy players like Robinson, Russel, Magic and Bird brought to the NBA and sport in general in the U.S., my point is being made by its progression to a Global game like football.)  

[tbs]

To make Lebron James happier, I suggest that we name our country to The United States of Michael Jordan because this country wouldn't be anything without all of his sacrifices on our behalf.  I'd rename us "Jordan" but it's already taken.

[tbs]

Oh God, I just realized -- if Lebron is going to change his number to #6 next year, that means he's not coming to the Celtics!

(Even though he's always been much more of a winner than that dude who has 11 rings.)

[Celtics17]

Let's not go so hard on the prima dona. I know Lebron is arrogant, conceited and lacking most any semblance of a history of the game but the guy is what, 23? I mean, when I was that age I still thought the world was flat ( not really but you get my point). He will mature. I didnt read all the postings or the article on him but why is he wanting to change to number 6? Is it becaue MJ won 6 rings?