Retire #23??

Recently, a hot topic issue in the NBA is whether to retire the number 23 in the NBA. If you don't know, Michael Jordan wore the number 23 during his playing career, and therefore made 23 synonmous with his name. When you think #23, you think Michael Jordan. It has been brought about recently because Lebron James stated he thinks 23 should be retired league wide in a way to honor Jordan. Lebron currently wears #23 but said he plans to switch to #6 next year and would like to see the NBA honor MJ with retiring his number from the league. This is a very nice gesture from Lebron and I understand what he is saying. However, after listening to all the points of view, I am leaning towards not doing it league wide. I believe its good enough that the Bulls have retired his jersey. Why? Well first of all, Michael wasn't the first great player. Magic Johnson and Larry Bird brought the game up before Michael did, and Dr. J and others before them. If you retire Michael's in that way, I think you have to do that for the Magics, Birds, Russells, etc. Its true Michael probably brought the game more exposure than ever, especially globally. However, I don't think that warrants his number to be retired league wide. The MLB retired Jackie Robinson and NHL did it for Wayne Gretzky league wide. However, those situations were different. Jackie Robinson dealt with a different era overcoming the color line in baseball. Wayne Gretzky is hockey. Anyway, I wouldn't neccesarily be against it if the NBA did in fact retire 23, but I don't feel it has to be done. Even Michael Jordan was stating that he doesn't think it should be done without consideration of the players mentioned earlier. He stated he doesn't think one player is beyond the game or anyone else. I agree. Who knows, it could have been a money move. Sell more jerseys with Lebron as 23 before he switches? Also, if you start retiring all these numbers league wide, you'll eventually start running out of numbers, and then you'll have to go to 3 digit numbers. What are your opinions?

You know, if you grow up wanting to play basketball, I would think you would avoid wearing number 23 because of Michael being associated with it. I can understand you wearing it to honor Michael as I believe Lebron did growing up, but I figured it would be something you would want to avoid because of the MJ connection. Thats quite a big name associated with it.