Charles, Really? The Number is So Retired…
Posted by VeRonda Wicks November 16th, 2009
So, LeBron, after his team’s win over Miami last week, mentioned that he was going to change his jersey number (which is 23) out of respect for Michael Jordan… who obviously donned the number during his reign in the NBA.
This declaration brought on a media wave of attention to the very conceivable idea of retiring Jordan’s number throughout the NBA, which would cause some players to have to change their number from 23 or another relevant one for them. Although LeBron started this dialogue, I would say Pat Riley, Miami’s GM, pioneered this exact thing as Jordan’s number is already retired in the rafters over the arena seats.
I am a Jordan fan and I saw firsthand what his appearance did for every arena he walked in to, and yet not everyone is exactly on board with LeBron’s assessment. Charles Barkley discussed his stance on Inside the NBA with Ernie Johnson and Kenny Smith, and said he didn’t think this should happen. He felt like Magic Johnson and Larry Bird were the two who save the NBA and if anyone should be honored it should be them. Uh, What?
No disrespect Magic and Larry, but are you serious? I can’t even go any further with all the reasons why this isn’t even a comparison. I’m feeling flu-ish (LOL!). Thoughts?
November 16th, 2009 at 12:09 pm
I’m not feeling the Jordan worship too much. Jordan did take it to the next level as far as popularity and commercialization but he arrived at a perfect storm for basketball. A storm created by the resurgence of basketball on the college and pro level by Bird and Magic.
I’m a huge Jordan fan as far as his hoops game is concerned but I’m not delirious about dude! I give him credit as being the greatest two guard in the history of the NBA but not the best player in the history of the NBA. He wasn’t the greatest point guard (Magic or Oscar). He wasn’t the greatest small forward (Larry Bird). He wasn’t the greatest power forward (Karl Malone) and he wasn’t the greatest center (Kareem, Wilt, Russell, Shaq). So what was his contribution that was so great that warranted his number being retired?
The NBA was on its deathbed before Magic and Bird! Sir Charles makes a great argument if you must retire numbers. Don’t know if I would have selected those two but definitely not Jordan!
Kid Funkedelic
November 16th, 2009 at 3:37 pm
Wow, Kid… I guess the resurgence is the reason. Wherever Jordan went that’s where the masses went… Sales, sales, and more sales. Everyone benefited from him being in the game. I don’t know if another reason needs to be given considering we know that’s how things are done. Its a what have you done for me lately culture and Jordan put a lot of money in owners, GMs, and business stakeholders’ pockets. Uh, not to mention you were sure to get a fantastic show as well.
November 16th, 2009 at 9:50 pm
Um, excuse me, the same can be said about magic and the lakers and showtime! how soon we forget!
on another note, it was good to learn that it wasn’t jordan that kept isiah thomas off of the original dream team but his best kissing friend, magic. smooches!
Kid Funkedelic
November 16th, 2009 at 11:29 pm
Okay, okay… I agree. I’m telling you the force is with Jordan. Stop fighting it, Kid!
And yeah, when I found that out that was crazy… It brings a new face to keeping your enemies closer. Man, that must’ve sucked.
November 17th, 2009 at 8:34 am
Ok, I know Im late to the party but… Is LeBron on the pipe?!!! (can I say that here?) There are so many that came before Jordan that kept the game of Bball alive (see Kids first comment). Jordan just came along at the right time… Can we remember when Magic got the 10 year 10 million dollar contract and everyone lost their mind… now 5-10 mil a year is the norm… Jordan and his marketing team did and are continuing to market the Jordan legacy extremely well…
See the problem is today we have cable, satallite, internet, cell phones to watch sports. (I must admit, I have watched a Ravens game or two via my cell while at my sons soccer game.. but thats another story). We rember what we see.. how may of can say we saw Magic, Bird, Robison (Oscar), Wilt and all the other great players.. I mean when they were playing we had 3 to 4 channels and maybe 5-6 if you have the coat hanger and foil setup correctly… ok im dating myself here so lets keep it moving… Todays society is what have you done for me lately… unfortunatly the great players of yester year didnt have sports center.
I know I went off track a littel but to answer you question V… Jordan did wonders for the game of basketball and the Bulls did right to retire his number, but to do it league wide.. I think not.
November 18th, 2009 at 8:55 pm
David, wow… I don’t even believe you (well, I guess I do actually)! I do agree that the era of the media is the reason so much attention has been brought to Jordan. But tell me this… Is that society’s fault? Is it my fault that I am able to go onto YouTube or wherever get a clip of Jordan and maybe not so much for Johnson or Bird? And, all this does is broadcast his prowess. Not to say the other two weren’t great, but if people today are basing their votes off of what they’ve seen who is gonna receive the vote? That’s all I’m saying…
November 19th, 2009 at 4:09 pm
Good point! Despite dude’s many skills, was he a media creation, a byproduct, a camera ready creature?
The media should not dictate, but rather the accomplishments.
The standards of the votes must be examined. Objective standards and the voting can begin.
I cast my vote for Lamar Mundane from the Reebok commercial of a few years ago when he would “rain down jump shots on people and when he would shoot people would holla – laaaaaay up!”
Kid Funkedelic
November 19th, 2009 at 5:54 pm
Kid, stop it… You know Mundane isn’t an option. Just come over to the dark side. Speaking of media hype… Did you know Wade now wears Jordan’s latest shoe over his own? I’m telling you… with superstars, Jordan is superstar gratis.
November 19th, 2009 at 6:56 pm
That reminds me of a story this all star player was telling about Jordan. He said he and Jordan was mouthing back and forth in the game and he was having a good game. After he hit about two 3’s in a row on Jordan he was running down court and really talking smack to Jordan. Then Jordan smiled back at him and said, “you’re wearing my shoes!” The guy was playing in Air Jordans.
As for superstar gratis, then retire his Hanes underwear, not the number. Retire it in Cleveland where LeBron is and the Browns so that people would not look at Jordans underwear with the brown design and think anything odd.
Da Kid!
November 21st, 2009 at 8:40 pm
Gosh… Kid. Just when I thought I was out… you keep pulling me back in (Cue resounding Italian music).