Y!> Woj> LeBron’s M.J. tribute is all about business
* In the end, James and everyone else understand this has nothing to do with Jordan or Russell, with No. 23 or No. 6. This is business, and he’s insulting everyone’s intelligence suggesting it’s something else.
almost 2 years ago
Ed (dfjmed)
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To serve man.
Gustatus similis pullus.
Son of a…He’s gonna wear number 6? The ghost of Bill Rusell will not put up with this shit.
To serve man.
Gustatus similis pullus.
I truely hope this does not become a trend – players changing numbers every season just to out sell eachother in jersey sales. And you know they all pay attention to the numbers too. (Personally, I think it’s bad enough when the players campaign for All-Star votes.)
Lebron has nothing on Bill Russell. :-) Do you think it spites Lebron that Duncan’s his favorite player?
My personal theory is that LeBron envisions himself becoming one of the all time greats like MJ and wanted to have his own number so people always remember that number as LeBron, not MJ.
No idea why he chose Russell’s number, but to be honest most people remember Jordan’s number but not that many know Russell’s. Maybe because so much time has passed?
Word. When I was a little boy and on my way to becoming a professional athlete I vowed to use a number that no one really famous had. My number was 5. You hear that JRW?
"It's Manuway or the Highway" - tlo
I agree. I think he is so into himself that he wants people to remember everything that is his as his own and not as a borrowed one. Now, clearly, as long as MJ is around, he wouldn’t let that happen with 23 and hence the change to 6.
This just shows where his focus is. I hope it comes back to bite him in the ass. LeBron will not be Jordan, EVER. No matter what number he is wearing he will never live up to what Jordan meant to the NBA and sports as a whole. I don’t think he is overrated but I surely think that he is overhyped. Especially in his own mind.
"I've got Tim (Duncan) and you don't. That's the difference." -Gregg Popovich
LeBron has the physical and intangible skills to be Jordan, but not the mental makeup (imo). Jordan was dead serious about the game – I cannot see him pulling stunts like changing his number or posing for imaginary cameras early in his career. I remember reading about a dream team (olympics) practice – Jordan is practicing hard as usual, and some of the other stars are having fun. Jordan said something to the effect of “that’s why I am one of the best and they are not” – Not an exact quote, would love it if someone remembered the exact words.
If and when Lebron starts winning titles all the talk about his lack of killer instinct and what not will go away.
If Timmy never won a title or four, the big rip on him would be he isn’t passionate enough, too quiet, not a leader.
That said, Lebrons antics do make it seem like he isn’t serious enough. I’m more of the Jordan/Manu/Kobe mentality when competing. You should be dead serious and want to rip the heart out of your opponent. Then step on it. Over and over again.
"It's Manuway or the Highway" - tlo
I agree, people to this day knock on Robinson for not being nice enough to win a championship without Timmy’s help. While I agree that one should have a competitive mentality, I think to be
dead serious and want to rip the heart out of your opponent. Then step on it. Over and over again.
might be a little to much for me. I prefer having a competitive game rather than blowing someone out when I play.
Oh, like the new sig by the way. All thanks to LD of course.
GTFOML!
Listen to all the haters...
…from the fringe of the playoffs. Happy “one and done” postseason, Spurs fans
"I’m tired of hearing about money, money, money, money, money. I just want to play the game, drink Pepsi, wear Reebok." ~Shaq
For the haters/morons who say "LeBron will get more jersey $ this way"
Before making such a moronic proclamation as so many have across the Web, you should take a look at this link from CNBC (aka not a local news outlet with a sports related agenda):
http://www.cnbc.com/id/35691058
Let me highlight it for those of us unable/unwilling to click on through:
LeBron James is changing his number next year from 23 to 6.
Although the Cleveland Cavaliers star says it’s out of respect for Michael Jordan, who wore the number, many cynics have said that James will sell more jerseys and therefore make more money.
That’s actually not the case.
In the NBA, unlike the NFL, the money made from jersey sales and other licensed products has been shared equally since the 1995 group licensing agreement was put together by the union.
That means that LeBron’s teammate Anderson Varejao makes as much as LeBron, even though sales of James’ jersey ranks second in the league and Varejao isn’t close to the top 50.
Don’t give me this “global icon” bullshit either. If you do want to make that argument, you need to leave a giant proverbial asterisk next to it that should fully disappear when/if he resigns in Cleveland.
(let the generic “you don’t drink our kool-aid so you’re a troll” comments begin)
"I’m tired of hearing about money, money, money, money, money. I just want to play the game, drink Pepsi, wear Reebok." ~Shaq
Hey I think it is very disrespectful for LeBron to use the logo from the Spurs’ first championship.
The Lakers "Too big, too strong, too long, too good."
LOL for real? I didn’t even personally attack anyone or your precious franchise?
"I’m tired of hearing about money, money, money, money, money. I just want to play the game, drink Pepsi, wear Reebok." ~Shaq
by Max_in_Missouri on Mar 5, 2010 4:09 PM CST up reply actions
Sorry, my team lost to the frickin’ Heat last night and is in Charlotte tonight who always plays us tough. (I heard today that CHA is 1 of only 2 teams that has an all-time winning record vs the Lakers.) Then we play ORL on Sunday. I’m feeling a losing streak coming on.
Besides I heard someone on ESPN yesterday say that the real reason LeBron is changing his number is that he knows that the Bulls would never let him wear that jersey in Chicago – which is where LeBron hopes to be playing next year. I just didn’t want to be mean to “Max_in_Missouri”.
The Lakers "Too big, too strong, too long, too good."
by olf on Mar 5, 2010 4:07 PM CST up reply actions
I have opinions and enjoy a healthy discussion…. As long as there are no personal attacks, I don’t consider discrediting/disagreeing with whatever I say to be mean. Please, don’t hold back on my behalf :)
"I’m tired of hearing about money, money, money, money, money. I just want to play the game, drink Pepsi, wear Reebok." ~Shaq
by Max_in_Missouri on Mar 5, 2010 4:12 PM CST up reply actions
When I saw that giant asterisk, the Laker fan in me couldn’t help but mention the 1999 strike-shortened season when the Spurs like to think they were the champions. (It drives them Ka-razy!)
Then for you I was just going to say that LeBron just wants to copy Kobe. But I like the one about him changing jersey numbers because he plans to play for the Bulls next season – where Jordan’s number is retired by now (I presume).
The Lakers "Too big, too strong, too long, too good."
by olf on Mar 5, 2010 4:56 PM CST up reply actions
I’m more partial to that reasoning, too. He doesn’t want to limit his options. But obviously, he doesn’t want to play in SA, where the Avery’s #6 is retired.
Spurs Basketball. Improving [other] NBA teams since 2010! - swgeek
Numbers don’t limit options. You don’t need permission to change numbers if you change teams, you only have to file the paperwork if you are staying on the same team and want to change. (I think. Please correct me if I am wrong).
Numbers don’t limit options.
Well, what we are saying is that LeBron’s chance of wearing 23 while playing on the Chicago team are virtually impossible. Nobody’s going to wear Jordan’s number as a Chicago Bull again.
And nobody is likely to the number 6 as a Spur again because the Spurs “retired” jersey number 6 to honor Avery Johnson who wore that when he played for the Spurs.
Over the summer I did see a note saying that at least one team (Celtics maybe) has started issuing unsigned players 3-digit numbers because they are running short of numbers because they have retired so many.
The Lakers "Too big, too strong, too long, too good."
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