I think it's a classy move by the reigning NBA MVP. LeBron James is proposing that the NBA retire the Number "23" in honor of Michael Jordan. James and 12 other players currently sport the number.
The list includes: Stephen Graham (Bobcats), CJ Watson (Warriors), Marcus Camby (Clippers), Jodie Meeks (Bucks), Devin Brown (Hornets), Toney Douglas (Knicks), BJ Mullens (Thunder), Lou WIlliams (76ers), Jason Richardson (Suns), Martell Webster (Trailblazers), Kevin Martin (Kings), and Wes Matthews (Jazz).
"I think what (Michael) Jordan has done for the game has to be recognized some way soon. There would be no LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, or 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 that like no NBA player should wear number 23. I'm starting a petition and I've got to get everyone in the NBA to sign it. If I'm not going to wear it then nobody else should be able to wear it."
The Miami Heat have already retired #23 in honor of Jordan who frequently torched the Heat's hopes in the mid-to-late 1990s.
The King will switch to #6 after the 2009-10 NBA season.
If this pushes through, it will be similar to what Major League Baseball did when they retired league-wide the late Jackie Robinson's #42 (with the Brooklyn Dodgers). Save for the New York Yankees' Mariano Rivera who still sports that number, no one else does. Once Rivera, who is in the twilight of his career even after leading the Bronx Bombers to World Series title #27, hangs it up, no one else may wear the number. They've allowed Rivera to wear it because he is the last Major League player to wear it and in many ways he embodies Robinson's humility, grace, while remaining a top-caliber player in the game.
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