Deseret News | LeBron wants to switch numbers as Jordan tribute

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NBA: LeBron wants to switch numbers as Jordan tribute

Interesting... | 1:27 p.m. Nov. 13, 2009

That's more than Michael Jordan would have ever done for LeBron if roles were reversed, judging by Michael's bitter hall of fame acceptance speech.

Had LeBron played back then and Jordan now, LeBron would have been what Jordan was to the game back then.

LeBron is showing a great player a lot of respect, but it doesn't take away from how good LeBron is whatsoever. It's still early, but if anyone compares to Jordan it's King James.

Jordan may have been the best basketball player ever, but with a LeBron attitude he would have been even better. The way LeBron respects his opponent's strengths, he can use that to make himself even better, and that may still prove to make him the best player of all time, when all is said and done.

You've got to be kidding | 1:27 p.m. Nov. 13, 2009

A totally ridiculous suggestion from LeBron. There were plenty of great players before MJ and none of their numbers have been retired league wide.

rnbole | 1:29 p.m. Nov. 13, 2009

so michael jordan needs to be honored again?---i don't think so---just let it rest

Comments continue below

Ha,Ha,Ha | 1:30 p.m. Nov. 13, 2009

"If I won't wear it then no one else should were it"...Sounds like someone wants to get a little attention. Not everybody who sees a dunk or game winning shot thinks of Michael Jordan. What about all the foreign players in the NBA? Some may, but most probably don't. So you'll probably have to make every team retire the number 23. Good luck.

Put a sock in it Lebron!! | 1:34 p.m. Nov. 13, 2009

It is not for players like you LeBron to randomly be deciding whose jersey is suddenly "off-limits" to everyone in the NBA.

Let the teams retire players jerseys within their franchise.

Should we pray to MJ or what?

Good grief his was an awesome basketball player but was a marginal human being at best. Big time gambler, cheated on his wife, seriously egotistical (see hall of fame speech), and a few other terms most people do not care for.

Lebron, if you don't want to wear MJ's number then don't wear it. Don't suddenly act like you are the voice of the league..you have not even won a championship and you act like everyone should drop what they are doing and pay homage to your recommendation.

Digbads | 1:36 p.m. Nov. 13, 2009

Lebron is a punk. NBA is a "snoozer" for me now. I'd rather watch women's soccer.

Say What? | 1:47 p.m. Nov. 13, 2009

"There would be no LeBron James, no Kobe Bryant, no Dwyane Wade, you name all the best players in the league right now and the last 10 years, there would be none of us without Michael Jordan."
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Not sure what he means by this. I sincerely doubt that the NBA would have gone away without Michael Jackson.

LeBron is like my congressman. He is the only one that knows what he is talking about. I don't know what he is talking about and I doubt that anyone else has any clue as to what he is talking about. When my congressman speaks nobody else knows what he is talking about. He is the only one.

Okay, Jordan was a great one. Retire the number if you must. Retire the incoherent talk along with it.

LeBron is an idiot! | 1:48 p.m. Nov. 13, 2009

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How about | 2:15 p.m. Nov. 13, 2009

retiring Ty Corbin's jersey? He did a pretty good job with "23"

rvalens2 | 2:19 p.m. Nov. 13, 2009

Bad idea.

As great as Michael Jordan was ... he did't win games by himself. It took four other guys.

If LeBron wants to give up his number 23 then fine. But pushing every other player to do it is just flat wrong. No one player is greater than the game. Besides, we already honor players like Jordan through the basketball hall of fame.

No basketball fan alive (during Jordan's playing years) is going to forget how great an athlete he was. However, we shouldn't be put on a pedestal above everyone else.

Cimaron | 2:22 p.m. Nov. 13, 2009

I love it how Lebron mentions his own name, along with Kobe and D wade, as some of the top ten NBA greats. HaHa. He is so humble. His humility kills me. To honor only one person who has transformed basketball is ridiculous, it would be a slap in the face to Dr. J, Bird, Magic and countless others who all made large contributions to the game. I think ole Lebron just wants to win some favor with Jordan and become a part of his lucrative shoe deal along with D-Wade.

Marketing | 5:06 p.m. Nov. 13, 2009

Its a great way for LeBron to be able to switch his number without looking like he is doing it for money. You know how many Kobe jerseys sold when he switched numbers? If i have a James 23 and he switches to 6 i want that jersey too. So this looks like a marketing move with a front.

Anonymous | 1:29 a.m. Nov. 14, 2009

what Jordan did for the game of basketball? What about Bill Russell? 11 NBA titles in 13 seasons you idiot.

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Lynne Sladky, Associated Press

Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) and Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade (3) stand on the court in the first quarter during an NBA basketball game in Miami, Thursday.