MJ thinks others should have numbers retired too

[houlana]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4674835

im glad MJ is giving credit to great players before him

[RAcker]

That's about as well as he could have responded.

[gustusias]

MJ can stick his number you know where. Is this what we will dicuss? Does anyone with a brain smaller than Michael's really care. Why can't we all be left alone for just a day and all the MJs, LBJs, Kobes,etc... of the world just fly away along with their media friends.

[Truck Lewis]

MJ can stick his number you know where. Is this what we will dicuss? Does anyone with a brain smaller than Michael's really care. Why can't we all be left alone for just a day and all the MJs, LBJs, Kobes,etc... of the world just fly away along with their media friends.

im confused? i thought MJ's response was perfect, especially for us here in Boston as he gives praise for Larry and Russell

[Fan from VT]

I find the league wide retiring of numbers to be really peculiar. Additionally, I don't think it should be done so in response to greatness on the court. Jackie's number is retired league wide in recognition of the vast social change it represented. Jordan was just a very good player. To retire Jordan's number league wide would be to lessen the meaning of having a league wide retirement in recognition of major social character.

[Truck Lewis]

I find the league wide retiring of numbers to be really peculiar. Additionally, I don't think it should be done so in response to greatness on the court. Jackie's number is retired league wide in recognition of the vast social change it represented. Jordan was just a very good player. To retire Jordan's number league wide would be to lessen the meaning of having a league wide retirement in recognition of major social character.

ive always felt that way too

[houlana]

I find the league wide retiring of numbers to be really peculiar. Additionally, I don't think it should be done so in response to greatness on the court. Jackie's number is retired league wide in recognition of the vast social change it represented. Jordan was just a very good player. To retire Jordan's number league wide would be to lessen the meaning of having a league wide retirement in recognition of major social character.

ive always felt that way too

TP. that is exactly what it should be for.

i also feel that some teams might be offended because they feel the legend of their team should have his number retired league wide. a whole new debate will come up as to who is worthy of such recognition

[Finkelskyhook]

This shouldn't be up for discussion until the NBA retires the legendary Henry Finkel's number 29.

[Eja117]

That's about as well as he could have responded.

How about "I don't deserve the same recognition as Jackie Robinson and I don't want it either. The game and things like what Jackie did are way way bigger than me"

However I think he does want it

[Jesus Shuttlesworth #20]

Jordan is smoking Russell on an ESPN poll right now about whos number should be retired, seems about right since grandpa probably isn't on the internet to even it out.

[Greenbean]

MJ can stick his number you know where. Is this what we will dicuss? Does anyone with a brain smaller than Michael's really care. Why can't we all be left alone for just a day and all the MJs, LBJs, Kobes,etc... of the world just fly away along with their media friends.

Okay so dont post in the thread if you dont care. The point was brought up to discuss here. If you dont care, then move along.

I agree that MJ's number should never be retired. At the same time, it is eye opening when a player chooses that number. It should be one of those unwritten rule that whoever wears it, better bring it until MJ's aura fades a bit.

For example, I think it would be hilarious if Scal wore that number on whichever team he is traded to this year.

[tenn_smoothie]

MJ can stick his number you know where. Is this what we will dicuss? Does anyone with a brain smaller than Michael's really care. Why can't we all be left alone for just a day and all the MJs, LBJs, Kobes,etc... of the world just fly away along with their media friends.

i gotta agree.

this entire discussion is just a big circle-jerk between james and jordan and the rest of the "greatest ever" favorites of today's media most of whom never saw a game prior to 1991.