#23 to be retired by the NBA, with the assistance of LeBron James...

[madinmaryland]

CLEVELAND (AP) -- LeBron James wants NBA players to give up their No. 23s to honor of Michael Jordan.

The Cavaliers superstar, who has worn 23 since he was a high school sophomore, says players should pay tribute to Jordan for the Hall of Famer's long-lasting impact on the game.

He made the comments following the Cavs' win in Miami on Thursday night, and the news was first reported by The Plain Dealer of Cleveland.

James said he's willing to make the switch and he wants to start a petition to get every player in the league to give up their numbers.

The reigning MVP says he will switch to No. 6, which he wore on the U.S. Olympic team and frequently wears as a practice jersey with the Cavaliers. James said he wears No. 6 because his second-favorite player is Julius Erving.

Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/basketball/nba/11/13/lebron.ap/index.html

I am sure this will piss of a couple of fans of the dirty boys from Detroit.

:hide:

[JonLP24]

1. Bad subject line

NBA is going to do anything, at least now and James was merely suggesting that other players wear something other than #23.

[madinmaryland]

2. Dude! You know it is going to happen!

Worship the Jordan!

[KamaAina]

3. Please. MJ was a great player, but he was NOT Jackie Robinson.

who, when the Yankees' Mariano Rivera retires, will be the only athlete to have his number (42) retired throughout his sport.

[Auggie]

6. +1

[hughee99]

4. Another triumph for the marketing department

who will now get to sell the shit out of #6 James shirts to many of the same people who already bought the #23's.

[Iggo]

5. See: Kobe #24 (n/t)

[1gobluedem]

7. Gag

That's all I have to say about that.