An excellent sign of NBA writers having nothing to talk about is the headlines LeBron James has made by going back to his old Cleveland Cavaliers number, #23. Unfortunately, for those who were dreaming of some sort of feud between superstars, Michael Jordan doesn’t actually care about “his” number being used by someone else.
The dream for the sports media, who doesn’t have too much to cover at the moment in North American sports except for Baseball, NFL training camps and College Football getting closer to the opening weekend, would have been Michael Jordan saying something controversial about James returning to the #23 jersey, something he has worn since his second year in high school until his final season with the Cavs.
James was wearing the #6 when playing for the Miami Heat, but once he chose to return to the Cleveland, the matter of his jersey number had to be settled. Not just for those who actually care about such things and give them inflated importance, but also to people who buy the jerseys. Some of them who burned their previous jerseys four years ago.
Michael Jordan didn’t have anything elaborate to say. He simply said he’s cool with it, and that he doesn’t own the number. I don’t know what anyone else expected. But that was an anticipation for a storm that was never going to happen. As for James…
LeBron James had a different view on the matter not too long ago.
I just think what Michael Jordan has done for the game has to be recognized some way soon. There would be no LeBron James, no Kobe Bryant, no Dwyane Wade if there wasn’t Michael Jordan first. 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.
Athletes, coaches, owners. Everyone says things. They might mean it at the time. But when these same individuals change their opinions about stuff far more important, we shouldn’t be surprised that someone flip flops about his jersey number.