No More 23?

So, LeBron James thinks that players should stop wearing the number 23 because Michael Jordan was really good at basketball. Or something.

“I just think what Michael Jordan has done for the game has to be recognized some way soon,” James said. “There would be no LeBron James, no Kobe Bryant, no Dwyane Wade if there wasn’t Michael Jordan first.

Um, what? First of all, Michael Jordan was a great basketball player. Arguably the best ever. But he didn’t break the color barrier like Jackie Robinson (whose number, 42, was retired by Major League Baseball a few years back). Why should teams he never played for retire his number? Why should players stop wearing it out of respect? This is insane.

Here’s the reason LeBron shouldn’t have worn #23: Because it will always be Jordan’s number no matter how great LeBron is. You blew it, man. You could have been your own number. 13 or something. You’ve got to pick a number and own it. Just because you can’t trump MJ, that doesn’t mean no one should wear the number.