I think that he’s making a business decision. Look at how well Kobe’s jerseys sold when he went to number 8. This will bring in quite a bit of cash.

Actually…

This is all a product of the WHITE MAN’S HATE!!! They be controlling him like a robot puppet on a string! Black power!!!!!

lol the swine flu is making me crazy.

LB’s just a kid…doesn’t know what he is talkin about.

Michael Jordan is 1 Of the WORLDs GREATEST NBA players and LeBron is RIGHT nobody ELSE should WEAR the #23-in the NBA. Why? Because Michael Jordan EARNED his NAME and TITLE with the #23. To me thats LIKE taking his TITLE away and HIS RESPECT. In my OPINION.

[...] on Twitter at twitter.com/pittswiley. Jonathan currently resides in New York City. Read more here: OPINION: LeBron’s Quest To Retire Jordan’s #23 Is Misguided Posted in The 411 Tags: business, game, jackie robinson, lebron james, michael jordan, nation, [...]

Just a kid??? This dude is 25 years old now. That ain’t no kid. Also, I’m getting real tired of you “conspiracy niggas.”

OH please! its funny how he wants to start a petition to retire a number of a fully marketed nike backed, weaker league of the 90′s best player, I am here to sell sneakers and not for black people-Michael Jordan. Yet, Lebron was against signing the petition on the DARFUR GENOCIDE.

If you are going to retire #23 around the league then you have to retire #6 as mentioned above, but also Dr.J because of his legacy in the ABA and NBA. How about #32 Magic Johnson and #33 for Larry Bird and Kareem. Magic and Larry saved the league from bankruptcy and made the league the way it was during the golden years. Without those two, there will be no Michael Jordan.Check the credentials and the legacy of all the aforementioned players. Shoot, Michael Jordan hated on Isiah Thomas because he couldnt win against him. Remember Michael did not start winning until everybody were retired from Dr.J, Moses Malone, Magic, Larry to Isiah.

Like Grandmaster leader MLK JR once said, “Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.”

Don’t blame lebron for what he is doin but the NBA has in no way paid homage to Michael Jordan with the exception of the hall of fame induction. Major League Baseball retired Jackie Robinson’s No. 42 and the NHL did the same with Wayne Gretzky’s No. 99. Jordan had broke numerous records and in response to this author. How many players have scored 37 points AND lead their team to the NBA Finals Champs while he was dead sick with the flu? oh what was that? I thought so. I mean I think the NBA need to do something to recognize michael jordans influence to the game of basketball, who didnt want to rock the bald head, who didnt want to stick out they tongue while they shooting a face away shot? who didnt want to rock the sweatband on your left fore arm and especially the sacred js on our foot be makin us walk bow legged like him n have us thinking we could fly like him. With all due respect to Jerry West but he did not have a big influence to the NBA like MJ did and I guarantee you that if they changed the NBA jerry west logo to a jumpman logo then the NBA business will sky rocket

THIS FOOL WENT TO HIGHSCHOOL AND JUMPED HIS DUFFUS SAD DUMB AZZ INTO THE NBA AND NOW HES WANTS A JERSEY RETIRED CAUSE HE SAID SO,NIGGA PLZ GO SIT UR BYTCH PUNK OVERGROWN SORRY AZZ DOWN AND LEARN THE GAME YOU KNOW NOTHIN ABOUT.THIS IS THE SAME CLOWN THAT CURSED HIS MOMMA FOR ALL THE WORLD TO SEE ON TV AND CRIES AND WINES CAUSE SHYT DONT GO HIS WAY.FUCH’EM

Lebron is right they should retire Michael Jordans number 23,to the individual that made the statement Magic and Bird jerseys and other players should also get that acknowledgement you have a point to a certain degree. Those two players are well known and did do a lot for the NBA,But they did not bring the NBA to the main stream like MJ did. He is the most known and respected player that has ever played the game,the NBA was more exciting when he played,American basketball was more intimidating. Michael Jordan is a self made legend amoung sports figures in general.Even after retiring his name is still brought up everyday. MJ is or if not the most influential player of all time. If Michael wasn’t who he was the NBA wouldn’t be the NBA period,no one has had the impact like he has,people that didn’t watch basketball watched because of him,individuals that were racist respected him for his game,he pretty much brought the NBA out the stone age and it’s traditional style,to the spotlight and more recognized stature..

IDK am I wrong for just wanting to see him on a different team?? He’s great, I don’t care about the #, I mean if MJ didn’t retire it then it is what it is, but I just want to see LJ around a team that can hold up to his worth! I was pissed that him and CB didn’t face off in the finals! All that hype and then nothing! I love superman no lie, but I wanted to see LJ and CB! It ain’t right!

jonathan wiley your article and argument are totally misguided. Joran is the one single player that has spawned a new era in basketball and has had the greatest inarguable effect on the game you just sound bias for some odd reason ……….now let the nuts go from you mouth your drooling……..

@ truthserumx…dont u mean KB?

Michael Jordan back then is like Obama today, He really made Basketball what it is today, if not for Jordan basketball wouldn’t be respected WORLDWIDE, now see how hard it is for America to go out and win the Olympics they have to use all the AllSTARS to have a chance, before tha U.S would send highschool and college students and we still win GOLD, but today never that, other countries want in. Everytime I see any highlights of Michael Jordan today, i still Glue My face to the T.V, just the way he handles the ball with his tongue out and u see his body movement I just be like damn Extreme Determination, at my job they got two of his Big Pics on the wall part of there Art collections, sometimes i still stop and stare at him, He really is the Best thing that ever happened to BasketBall, me i grew up playing soccer sucked at basketball back then i bought my first ever pairs of Jordan shoe and was grinding it out with tha guyz in tha street, i mean he was tha reason i ever learned tha game, now i can play tha game and i am loving it… thankz for MJ!!!!!!

i think labron needs to stop actin like a little b***h. maybe if u got as good as micheal jordan (which i know yo b***h ass wont) youll start gettin recognized. how would yo b***h nigga fell if yo # got retired huh. you wud be pissed. so like kennyd4 said sit yo b***h punk overgrown sorry ass down.ha

@jazzpast Your Quote:
“Shoot, Michael Jordan hated on Isiah Thomas because he couldn’t win against him. Remember Michael did not start winning until everybody were retired from Dr.J, Moses Malone, Magic, Larry to Isiah.”

Correction. Michael may have hated on Isiah Thomas, but years later many would see that Isiah has issues which could make anyone have animosity towards him. That’s not including the years the Pistons literally beat-up Michael and Scottie with hard fouls and other unsports-man-like conduct.

Besides the Bulls did finally beat Isiah’s Pistons on their way to their 1st championship. During that same season they went through Magic’s Lakers in the Finals in a 4-1 reverse sweep. The Celtics were very much at the end of their Dynasty, thus not a factor when the Bulls rushed the eastern conference in 1991.

I really don’t think that this has anything to do with Micheal. Its just Lebron taking his lil spotlight to hard to the head. I swear that he’s the greatest and trust he’s not. He needs to get over hisself. U think that stopped letting dudes play ball once they found you? Nope.

I Dont think Every player should retire The Number! If Lebron Wants to thats on him! lol…and @ Dymond-P Its actually “himself” not “hisself” like you wrote! ..smh lol

Lebron should wear the 45…lol

@jazzpast, you said MJ didn’t start winning until Isiah and Magic retired. Well, in the ’91 finals he beat Isiah’s Pistons in the Eastern Conf. Finals. Then going on to beat Magic’s Lakers in the Finals. And you also said MJ was a “weaker league of the 90′s best player.” You do know that Jordan won an MVP in ’88? Also, he was an All-Star from his rookie year through retirement. C’mon man!!! Anyway, I agree with chanelle85, it’s all on LBJ if he wants to change his jersey #. “Weaker league of the 90′s best player” psssshh!! lol

truthserum you’re a stupid b***h and obviously dont know what the f**k you’re talking about u dont even know how to spell kobe

Every article I see, it seems like people disagree just for the sake of disagreeing. It just get’s damn annoying after awhile.

No unified voice on shyt & that’s a phuccin shame.

Is there ever going to be anything besides making sure one black man got the presidency that makes us all stand up in unison (perfect accord) and make a miracle happen?

This whole “I can think whatever I want” shyt is for the birds, when certain topics are no brainers.

Michael Jordan was given “ATHLETE OF THE CENTURY” by white people & nigga’s refuse to let him stand apart as the anamoly that changed they way people percieve b-ball.

I’m so damn discouraged right now.

My bad, he was given “ATHLETE OF THE CENTURY” by the world… from 1900-1999 out of ALL the athletes of that century, not Babe Ruth nor Muhammad Ali NONE OF THE GREATS beat him to that title and no one, but Jordan will ever have that title for the 20th century.

Mr. Pitts-Wiley..you have to be kidding yourself. You can’t take ANYthing away from what Jordan accomplished on the basketball court. Lebron is just ONE of many young African American boys who grew up wanting to play the game of basketball because of Michael Jordan. Jordan was the blue print for young guys to pattern their games after. Which is why these guys have every right to pay homage to him. The NBA is full of Jordan-influenced players. Not Barkley, Olajuwon, Erving, Jabbar, Ewing, Stockton, Maravich, or who else you want to dig up from the NBA past. Yes not even, Russell. What young guy do you meet who says I want to be like Jerry West? Respect what Michael Jordan did, does, and will continue to do for the game of basketall. PERIOD. Jordan is the GOAT!

OMG who on earth do people say that MJ is greatest player of all time?

-He doesn’t have the most titles
-He didn’t score the most points
-He never had a rule change to hinder his play
-He did change the game from being team based to iso based
-Compare to Magic Johnson he hasn’t done a damn thing for black people
-He been a terrible front office guy in comparison to Jerry West
-He sales overpriced shoes that the workers can’t even afford to buy
-He kept Isiah Thomas off the Dream Team for John Stockton

He is the greatest player I have ever saw but the only thing he did is shift the NBA from being team based (80′s) to being a 1 on 1 (90′s).

I am reading some comments and the only word that comes to mind is “DIGRESS”!!! Staying “ON TOPIC”….Michael Jordan is a legend! Love him or hate him there is no comparison. I just can’t understand why people cannot be humbled enough to pay homage to one of the greats and keep it moving—->>>. Lebron James is a great player and I respect his skills out on the court but his only focus should be to perfect “HIS” craft, be a team player & give his all. Although, I agree wholeheartedly with what LJ said and respect where he is coming from. However, there is always going to be someone who is going to DISAGREE (smh)…it is what it is *throwing hands up*!

I’m was just reading what this Jazz guy wrote about M.J. Couldn’t beat Isiah? What world do you live in? The Bulls dethroned the pistons and won 3 straight titles. M.J. took on the greatest in the game including a resurged Lakers team. Obviously a Jordan hater, its fine that you didnt appreciate his hall of fame speech,doesn’t change what he did though. Props to the king for giving M.J. his props.

taurus 216… u a lame

Please oh please don’t retire Labron! I’m gonna miss seeing you out on the court getting your palms ready with flour and doing all them fancy moves and shots. You are very entertaining and we will miss you!

Nikki497 with your non reading non comprehendin azz. He didn’t say he was retiring. He said he was retiring THE EFFIN JERSEY.

Talking about “please don’t retire” LOL. 33 yrs old?? Please stop making urself look stupid.

alot of negative things have been said about lebron ..he is just trying to draw positive energy toward himself ..back in the limelight per say ..its never been done so it should be no execption ..

I agree wit lebron.

Lace tha sneaks up.

and put 23 up.

its the ultimate tribute to tha man!!!

he is tha shyt!!!!!

lol lovevon

@Domino and MIke

YOu guys are right he finally won in 1991, but lets asses that year. Every legends are on their last leg and not on their prime. Detroit didnt have the same team nor the lakers. I can say that because im a laker fan, and mike dunleavy at the helm wasnt the right fit to be a lakers coach. We went from run and gun showtime to post up team. There is no denying that Michael Jordan is great but his greatness can be measure with the competition around him and how he was marketed all over the globe.On top of that, how many times did MASSA STERN changed the rues for Jordan to cater to the way he plays the game. Look at the change on traveling becaue of LEBRON.Yes, he won the mvp in 1988, but are you remembered as a legend because of the MVP trophies? NO. Isiah Thomas was hard on him in 1985 ALL-STAR game because thats what veterans do when it comes to rookies/sophomore. If youre the new dude on the block, do you just profess to all the OG’s and elders on the block that youre the s**t.NO, you earn your stripe and th e respect.If we measure everything from the person outside of the hardwood and inside the hardwood. more likely Michael Jordan will be one of the dislike people in the world.

I guess when you have mind of your own, be critical, and dont look at Michael Jordan and Obama as king and Messiah. You are called a Hater. This is what we have become a bunch of conditioned zombies and haters? Is these how we look at each other now a days, that if you dont follow everybody’s and corporate Amerikka’s opinion that youre a hater? WOW!

Like I have conveyed previously, I respect Michael Jordan’s game on the hardwood. However, I dont believe he is the greatest ever. I believe Magic is the greatest,thats hard for me to say because I cant stand Magic outside of basketball.Magic with Bird made college fun to watch especially during their quest to the final four. Magic won a chip during his rookie year, the man was 6-9 as a point guard and played all 5 positions. Magic and Bird saved the NBA from folding, so learn the history of the game before you call me a hater. Magic with Bird elevated the NBA to the forefront, if you dont believe me go ask Charles Barkley because he mentioned that the other day on TNT. Magic helped take his lakers to 9 NBA finals and won 5 out of it. Thats during the era of the most 50 greatest players named in the 1996 ceremony.

When Michael Jordan reached his prime in 90′s who played his position in the league that can be considered elite players?

who was guarding Michael Jordan all in the 90′s?

what was the real reason to his retirement to play baseball?

When was the first time or the last time you heard Michael Jordan caring and standing up for our people?

Who said all i care is selling sneakers and turned his back when ask if he cares about the black community?

Who was dealing with the Mobsters in Chicago?

Whos selling sneakers to your kids today for almost $200 a pair with low quality?

whos this ballplayer that doesnt care about the kids who works as cheap labor for a little over a $1 A DAY to produce his brand?

SHALL I GO ON.

Oh yeah, SORRY TO BE A HATER BUT THE ATHLETES OF THE CENTURY FOR ME ARE THOSE WHO WERE NOT MARKETED AND DID MORE. . .JIM THORPE, JESSE OWENS, JACK JOHNSON, etc.

Lebron is trippin what about all the other basketball players before jordan who was the s**t…what about all the players in the future that going to be the s**t so u telling me everybody who is was and can be the greatest should get their number retired too?…Lebron so you tellin the world that as long as u been 23 u ready to give it up…so u saying that everybody in the nba who been wearing the number 23 who is a player just like jordan was should give up their number for a man who is not even playing any more..don’t get me wrong jordan is one key word one of the greatest player of all time but the man sure didn’t create the s**t….he just gave it another level…just like kobe does just like u do lebron just like carmelo and all the other players who handle the game real well…So i believe your asking for a lot…As long as his jeresey is retired for the Chicago Bulls and so on then that is Fine but he didn’t play for any other team but the bulls….we don’t know what type of player he would have been if he didn’t play for the bulls i remember when he played for washington and didn’t do nothing so im asking you Lebron do you really think it is that serious…Ne who nothing but respect to Jordan….But naw DUECES****

the only numbers that should be retired are 33 and 32, for bird and magic respectively. they did more for basketball than mj. but anyway, if they retire those numbers, then others would want their numbers retired too, and soon nba players will have to wear numbers like 332 because all the 2 digit numbers will be taken. Lebron needs to focus on winning more than focusing on changing his number.

jazz, you said everything i wanted to say. thank you. the truth is, nba had no superstars once the 90s came, so it was easier to dominate for jordan. If we had players like bird, magic, bill russell, walt, jordan would’ve been getting out every year in the first round. so f**k retiring a number for a (i was not gonna say it at first, but some of the comments i’ve seen made me) n*gga that don’t even give a rat’s a** about the people making his damn shoes. or the n*ggas who waste their lives by spending their minimum wage check on a pair of $200 shoes just to fit in with everybody else. I don’t care if you guys call me a hater, but it had to be said. And btw, most players wearing 23 have no intention of retiring their numbers, neither does the league.

and nikki497 girl i see basketball is not ur sport because if u think anyman is going to retire at 25 he got to be on some s**t next time mama read the whole article matter fact google before u respond and be all off subject how about u just read everybody else comments k…much love and respect to ya but naw DUECES****

WTF U telling me that ppl really think that Magic or Bird was better than M.J.? M.J. change the game with his legacy & also dominated the league I might add. Who did Kobe study his game from & who does Lebron look up 2? I don’t think they should retire 23 that’s crazy it’s not like M.J. made the number or something. lol Magic better than M.J. what games was this nigga watching u better go 2 rent-a-center & pay triple times the money 4 something hell I would rather pay 130 4 some J’s.

Well, Magic was in his 12th year when he was “on his last leg” when they lost to the Bulls in the Finals. Isiah was in his 10th year when he got put out of the Eastern Conf. Finals. Michael Jordan was in his 12th year and 2 years of retirement when he WON his last championship. So, to say MJ only won because Magic and Isiah was “on their last leg” is absurd. MJ was still winning when he was these guys ages. So, it’s no excuse. Look, I’m not calling someone a hater because you don’t “praise” Michael. But, if you ask guys like Magic and Isiah, “Who’s the greatest of all-time?” They’ll tell you, Michael “Air” Jordan. The only NBA player that doesn’t think of MJ as the greatest of all-time, is himself. Just watch his interview on ESPN.

Lebron is a very intelligent young man, and I want to believe that his push to retire the number 23 league wide is stemmed from great respect of MJ. However, his request is a lil’ over the top, and I agree with the author, that he may be misguided in his quest. I think that the MLB and the NFL does a great job in honoring past players and worthy causes, for example, when all the players in the MLB wore the number 44 in honor of Jackie Robinson, or when the players from the NFL wore pink on their accessories for Breast Cancer Awareness. I feel that the NBA falls short in comparison to innovative ways that the NFL and MLB display adoration and honor for things that are relative to their respective sports. Nah. David Stern is more concerned about what street clothes players are wearing (I think for the sake of pleasing sponsors, the same reason the Blazers got rid of Rasheed – for the sake of sponsors).
Nonetheless, I feel that the best way for Lebron to honor Mike is to continue to wear his number 23 and represent it as a dominant player on the court and continue to be professional both on and off the court. And maybe he could petition the NBA to honor it’s players more. Furthermore, the number 23 may be sentimental to other guys that adorn it. Maybe, they wore that number when they played in little leagues and so forth. So, I think he should continue to wear it and remember that until the world has ended someone can always come along and become more iconic than MJ.

Lebron is a very intelligent young man, and I want to believe that his push to retire the number 23 league wide is stemmed from great respect of MJ. However, his request is a lil’ over the top, and I agree with the author, that he may be misguided in his quest. I think that the MLB and the NFL does a great job in honoring past players and worthy causes, for example, when all the players in the MLB wore the number 44 in honor of Jackie Robinson, or when the players from the NFL wore pink on their accessories for Breast Cancer Awareness. I feel that the NBA falls short in comparison to innovative ways that the NFL and MLB display adoration and honor for things that are relative to their respective sports. Nah. David Stern is more concerned about what street clothes players are wearing (I think for the sake of pleasing sponsors, the same reason the Blazers got rid of Rasheed – for the sake of sponsors).
Nonetheless, I feel that the best way for Lebron to honor Mike is to continue to wear his number 23 and represent it as a dominant player on the court and continue to be professional both on and off the court. And maybe he could petition the NBA to honor it’s players more. Furthermore, the number 23 may be sentimental to other guys that adorn it. Maybe, they wore that number when they played in little leagues and so forth. So, I think he should continue to wear it and remember that until the world has ended someone can always come along and become more iconic than MJ. We must remember that Mike had people he looked up to as well and he aspired to be greater than them. Believe it or not someone will surpass Mike, that’s just how life work.

THIS IS A BOATLOAD OF BULLCRAP.IT’S TOO MUCH GOING ON WITH THE KIDS IN THE COMMUNITY TO BE WASTING TIME TALKING RETIRING A DAMN JERSEY.IT’S A MONEY THING HE NEED TO GET HIS AZZ ON THE FRONT LINES AND GO INTO SOME OF THESE SCHOOLS AND TALK TO THESE BABY BEAST.AND HELL WITH MJ I NEVER HEAR ANYTHING ABOUT HIM BEING ACTIVE IN THE COMMUNITY.I AM TOO MAD TO TYPE

well Lebron..I’ve been a fan since day one…and personally i feel like u can’t retire a damn thing till u get a RING…So in the words of Frankie…HOOLLLLLAAAAA!

ha ha ha she dumb az fuq n rok shut yo b***h as up be4 u callin da cops be da outsome

nikki got lil sticks 4 brains lil nicks 4 thoughts go strain 4 change b***h

Ok I respect wat LeBron Is Saying MJ revolutionized basketball in MJ’s era no one seen a man jump up to block a shot and snatch the down with his arms for a steal! No one seen a man score 63 points with the flu, a great only comes around once every 100 or some odd years. We should remember MJ for what he was immitated but never duplicated! And whoever told Kobe he was the best thing smokin is a damn lie! Kobe’s ego is way to big for himself, even though Michael was a pure beast on the court he never gassed himself up! He was a humble man although he knew he was the s**t off the court u never heard about him bragging! Kobe has the nerve to wear 24 and consider himself the second best which I can respect but be a fan favorite not a favorite of your own

NIKKI THE NUMBER IS BEING RETIRE NOT THE PLAYER

@Worthy_70 get MJ’s d!ck out of your mouth lol you post is full or wrongs!

1. When MJ went for 63 he didn’t have the flu that was when they played the Jazz in the Finals and he went for 37 or 39.
2. SAying MJ never gassed himself up is lie.

Jordan has made stuff up before, most notably when he claimed Bullets rookie LaBradford Smith said, “Nice game, Mike,” after lighting up His Airness for 37 points. Jordan returned fire with 36 points in the first half against Smith the next time they played. Years later, he confessed Smith never said anything to him.

When the Bulls played the Cavaliers in the 1993 playoffs and Cleveland guard Gerald Wilkins was asked about his ability to guard Jordan, Wilkins always pointed out that nobody could shut Jordan down, but he had been somewhat effective against him. Jordan scored 43 points in the first game of the series, and afterward said with a smirk, “I guess the ‘Jordan-stopper’ had a pretty tough night.” No one else heard Wilkins call himself a Jordan-stopper. But Jordan did, in his own mind, which shows you just how differently things worked in there.

Jordan, cool and refined, once refused to endorse a Democrat against Republican Sen. Jesse Helms in North Carolina, cooly noting that “Republicans buy sneakers too.” He was the true child of the Me Decade.

this is the product of the white man’s hate!!!!!

Why is everyone talking about what he did OFF THE COURT??? None of that s**t matters. LeBron wants to retire his #23 because of what he’s done ON THE COURT. Now am I saying it should be retired? Hell no! There are players that came before MJ that have done more for the game of basketball. LBJ just gave his opinion on it and everyone calls him an idiot, childish, etc. I’m done with this f**king topic man. F**king “conspiracy niggas!”

lol @ taurus216

what are u a cyber killer…lol

a clown who get his rocks off insulting females, we know poor chap, ur stock in v****a has a lack there of, but hey u still got net porn… good luck squirt, u a straight shooter…lol

[...] OPINION: Lebron’s Quest To Retire Jordan’s #23 Is Misguided [...]

Why we want to honor the worst people. Only thing MJ has ever done was shoot the ball well he deserve no special acculades. Lebron James needs to work on his own image and truly become a black role modal instead of just another black athlete.

FIRST OF ALL I CANT LEBRON….HE HAS ALOT OF GROWING UP TO DO HE’S OUT HERE SCORING 30,40 POINTS AND STILL LOSING THE GAME SHARE THE DAMN BALL MAYBE U WOULDNT BE LOSING SO DAMN MUCH. HOW IN THEIR CRAZY MINDS THOUGHT LEBRON GONNA BE THE NEXT MJ PLZ NEVER. LEBRON AKA COOKIE MONSTER NEED TO STOP TRYING TO BE SUPER MAN ONE MAN CANT WIN A GAME BUT ONE MAN CAN SURE AFFECT IT…NOW DO WITH DAT WAT U WILL.

GTPRINCESS its obvious u dont watch basketball, so I dont even know why u even bother to make that comment

Well written/argued. I don’t doubt Lebron’s sincerity or passion, but two words stop me short of co-signing: Bill. Russell.

That was game point for me.