LeBron James to retire 23
In a post-game interview after the Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Miami Heat 111-104 yesterday, LeBron James announced that to honor Michael Jordan, he would not wear the same jersey number anymore. The Cavs superstar has worn the number 23 since he was a highschool sophomore and says that players should pay tribute and respect to Jordan for his long lasting impact on the game.
James, the reigning MVP, says that he is willing to make the switch and wants to start a petition to get every player in the league to give up the number 23. James himself says he plans to wear the number 6 in 2010, which he wore in the Olympics in 2008.
Current President of the Miami Heat, Pat Riley, hung Michael Jordan’s 23 jersey in the Heat’s arena, giving tribute to a player who has never even played for them. Riley asserts that Jordan is hands down the greatest player of all time and that his jersey should be hung league-wide in the same vein as Jackie Robinson. LeBron James maintains the same theory, saying that no player should wear the number 23 and that the NBA should retire MJ’s jersey.
There are many implications for this change. Is LeBron looking to pay tribute or to further separate himself, as a player from the greatest of all time? In 2007, Kobe Bryant changed his number from 8 to 24 with a popular explanation being that 24 was meant to be one greater than MJ’s 23. In this regard, as the Kobe vs. LeBron debate battles on, it is seen that James is giving tribute while Kobe is still trying to compete.
As for the number 6, James explains that he hit many peaks with that number on and off the court. In 2008 he won a gold medal with Team USA wearing the number 6 jersey. James states that his second favorite player was Julius Erving who wore number 6. LeBron’s first child was born on Oct. 6 and his second child was born in June.
Whatever the reasons, the number change can be the best thing to happen to LeBron James from a marketing standpoint. Given his impending free agency next year, a potential new team with a potential new number means there could be even more reasons to buy new LBJ gear. But let’s not give into speculation. As far as we’re concerned, LeBron has just given a humbling tribute to the greatest player to ever play the game, and his hero, Michael Jordan.