Michael "Air" Jordan

LeBron James made an interesting statement the other day. He said in a nutshell that Michael Jordan (MJ) has done so much for the NBA that his number 23 should be retired throughout the entire NBA. James said that next year he is going to wear the number 6 instead of 23.

LeBron James

LeBron James’ statement:
“I just think what Michael Jordan has done for the game has to be recognized some way soon, 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.”

Jordan Dunking.

Don’t get me wrong, MJ is a legend and I’m a big fan, but I think this idea is a little bit out there.  If retiring MJ’s number 23 from the entire NBA requires that his jersey hangs from the rafters in every NBA arena, then I want no part of it.  I’m a true blue, die hard Detroit Pistons fan and there is no way that I would want to see Jordan’s jersey hanging from the rafters at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

The Palace Of Auburn Hills.

Like I said, I’m a fan of MJ but the Pistons are my team.  To me, hanging Jordan’s jersey up at the Palace is like hanging an Iraqi flag at the White House.  Its simply disrespectful.  There is a lot of bad blood between the Pistons organization and MJ.

In Detroit, MJ was one of those guys that you loved to hate.  He is responsible for many rule changes in the NBA.  The Pistons played tough in your face defense and poor little Jordan couldn’t take it.  Since Jordan was the NBA’s poster child, rules were changed to benefit his game and keep him from getting hurt.  Jordan was also responsible for keeping Isiah Thomas (Star point guard for the Detroit Pistons from 1981-1994) off of the Dream Team (The USA’s Olympic Basketball Team).

Jordan on the Dream Team.

To his credit, Jordan is the greatest player of all time.  I’m not disputing that.  He took the NBA global.  He made basketball popular practically everywhere.  Even if you don’t like basketball, you know who Michael Jordan is.  But, should the entire NBA retire his jersey.  The answer in short, HELL NO!  ESPECIALLY NOT AT THE PALACE.

What do you think?

List of current NBA players wearing the number 23:

• Devin Brown
• Marcus Camby
• Toney Douglas
• Stephen Graham
• Kevin Martin
• Wes Matthews
• Jodie Meeks
• Jason Richardson
• C.J. Watson
• Martell Webster
• Louis Williams

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