The greatest basketball player ever to live in most people's eyes is Micheal Jordan. Wilt and Bill Russell are in the conversation. Oscar Robertson, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson and Dr.J deserve to be there as well. Some will say that Connie Hawkins and Earl "the Goat" Manigoat created a basketball art form that Jordan and Dr. J perfected. Kareem had the most unstoppable shot in the game, but he was 7 feet tall. The height issue is what kills Wilt. Many people don't credit his stats because he was bigger than everyone and stronger than everyone. If he played in today's NBA he would be as dominant if not more because of the rule changes and superstar calls. The interesting part of this is that most of us never saw some of these greats play so we cannot really assess who was the best. So does Micheal Jordan's number being retired league wide really need to happen? I don't know if I think so and here are a couple of reasons for both sides of the story.
Wayne Gretzky is recognized as the greatest hockey player ever to play. He too has people that say otherwise and feel that there were a couple of players who should be in the same conversation. Mario Lemieux and Bobby Orr are usually the 2 players who get mentioned with Gretzky. On paper and in on the ice it is hard to argue against Gretzky. He hold most of the records in the game, whether it is season or playoff or even career. He was hockey's greatest ambassador and tried to bring the game to the states and give us the same excitement that he did for the Canadian people. His number being retired is a tribute to his contribution to the game on and off of the ice. Micheal Jordan essentially raised the last 2 generations of basketball fans. Every kid said screw the jump shot, I want to dunk. At most high schools, colleges and A.A.U. teams around the country, the player usually wearing 23 was usually the teams best player. Has Jordan been the ambassador to NBA that Gretzky has been? Hell No. Most people think that Magic Johnson would be that person. As an executive and team owner Micheal has not enjoyed life as he did as a player. To me that hurts him in getting his number retired because he has not been to his league what Gretzky has been to his. When they retired Jackie Robinson's number in baseball it was because of the social change and pioneering aspect of his career. Jackie was a great athlete. Baseball wasn't even his best sport. Just because Michel was the greatest ever does not mean his number should be retired.
Now the one way they could honor him is the way Syracuse does with the number 44. If you have a superstar player like Lebron, he can wear 23. Marcus Camby is a very good player but he is no Jordan. Jodie Meeks may someday be Jordan like but he should have to earn the number. Jason Richardson won a college title and won a slam dunk contest so he has potential but he should change his number. Kevin Martin has been a star on the Kings. I think that there are 11 players currently wearing the number. Can you believe that only one player is wearing the number 16 in the NFL? I believe that Joshua Cribs on the Cleveland Browns is the only player wearing 16. I remember Chris Weinke and Matt Cassell wore the number but that is it in recent years.No starting Quarterback is wearing 16. Most of the players wearing 56 are actually really good players but none of them are in L.T.'s league.I was surprised to see that not many receivers wear the number 80 and not many running backs wear 32. I think Lebron should wear 23 or put on a number gives him autonomy over that number. I guess some players just have respect for the numbers mentioned and choose to create their own legacy.
I will conclude and say this. If they do retire Micheal's number it should be in all sports. He was the first athlete since O.J. Simpson to make corporate America take notice that an athlete can help you make money. He has his own line of clothing and accessories that make him millions of dollars too. As a global Icon he is probably the second most famous person on the planet. Ali is the 1st and Tiger is catching both of them. Because of his endorsement appeal, Jordan has made it possible for athletes in all sports to flourish. What do you think?
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