PROTECT THE PAINT

LeBron announced today he is no longer going to wear number 23. He is doing this to pay homage and respect to Michael Jordan. He also said he will try to have the league petition to make it a rule that no player can wear 23 ever again.

He is doing so because the NBA will not change its logo, depicting a silhouette of Hall of Fame NBA legend Jerry West.

“He can’t get the logo and if he can’t, something has to be done. I feel like no NBA player should wear 23. I’m starting a petition, and I’ve got to get everyone in the NBA to sign it. Now, if I’m not going to wear No. 23, then nobody else should be able to wear it.”

LeBron, I officially dub thee: (Drama) Queen James.

"Come on D Wade, you got my back on this, right?" (Credit: picapp.com)

LeBron is acting like an idiot. Do you honestly think Michael Jordan would want the league to retire his number? Jordan cared solely about one thing, and one thing only, and that was winning. Ultimately, nothing else mattered to him. Number, etc, mattered not to Jordan.

It makes no sense to change the trademark logo of a global powerhouse business entity because the league’s (arguable) best player wants it to.

For a minute, I thought LeBron might have hired Stephen Jackson as his spokesperson. That is how moronic I take LeBron’s words to be.

LeBron wants to make a statement by wearing number  and that’s his choice. However, attempting to petition and make this a league-wide movement is simply childish. Jordan wore uniforms with Jerry West’s silhouette on the logo as many have and many will.

Many star players have their jersey retired by the team they played for, and consider this to be the ultimate honor. Having your number hanging in the rafters is a stoic honor: no one ever wear your number in your house, ever.

Michael Jordan changed the world of sports, not just basketball. Does that mean his jersey be retired in all sports?  Of course not.

I understand the importance of Jackie Robinson’s number being retired universally in Major League Baseball. Robinson broke race barriers, risking his life, and the life of his family by showing up to play amidst countless death threats and racial epithets.

Jordan was the best to ever play in the NBA. He is in the Hall of Fame. Actually, he has his own personal Mecca there.

LeBron, should we retire the number 9, since that is what Jordan wore during the Olympics?

Grow up, shut your mouth, and lead by leading, not by talking, or trying to swoon influence over the league. Actions speak louder than words, just ask Michael Jordan.

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