Heck yeah!!!! The number 23 should be retired by all teams in the NBA because no matter who wears that number it will always be associated with Micheal Jordan. It is always the first thing I think when I see a player who wears it. Not only in the NBA but anyone who dons a basketball jersey with that number.

I'm down with that, this is the greatest player ever. All he needed was to be given the ball and he did the rest.

I understand young LeBron's heart. HOWEVER, there are many players than can arguably be considered worthy of number retirement. 6, 32, 33. Russell, Johnson, and Jabbar. Furthermore, if I had to pick a player to build a team around I would select these three gentlemen before Jordan. These men possess championships and citizenship. Jordan just being handed over the title as GOAT is largely due to the era in which we live, this media age. He was a great player, no doubt about it. No disrespect intended, but GOAT...ALL TIMES, ALL TIMES, ALL TIMES. No cigar. ALL TIMES, there are dozens of players, worthy, dare I say more worthy than Jordan. It would remiss to consider him GOAT, especially if your NBA viewing birth began around 1990. To declared him GOAT and worthy of number retirement, at least have 1st hand knowledge of half of the league's history. On and off the court.

The game hasn't been the same since he's left and I say give people their flowers while they are alive. We love Michael Jordan in the Bahamas!

why hasn't this been done already,a lot of players who are not as half as good as jordan got their jersey retired.this should have been done the minute he left the game.frankly im a little upset that this wasn't done already.he is the greatest player to play the game at least in my era.

why hasn't this been done already,a lot of players who are not as half as good as jordan got their jersey retired.this should have been done the minute he left the game.frankly im a little upset that this wasn't done already.he is the greatest player to play the game at least in my era.

Amazing!!!! There is no other MJ exist... I agree MJ # 23 should retired like Hockey did for Gregsky...

I have watch a lot of former great basketball players in my years and they were all great players, but I think that Micheal Jordan is a noch above them as far as his overall game so I think the NBA should retire hie number, while he is still alive can continue to be an ambassador for the game of basketball

BAHAMAS LIVE Micheal

I have watch a lot of former great basketball players in my years and they were all great players, but I think that Micheal Jordan is a noch above them as far as his overall game so I think the NBA should retire hie number, while he is still alive can continue to be an ambassador for the game of basketball

BAHAMAS LIVE Micheal

I think CarKey says it best.

Jordan's number should be retired. He has set the standard by which every other player will be judged. Every player that does wear that number wears it because of him. His level of greatest should be acknowledge in a special way. When he was playing I didn't miss a game because I knew there was a good chance I would see something extraordinary or something I had not seen before. Now I watch basketball occasionally and in the playoffs (maybe).

Carkey needs to have his car keyed...I've live through every NBA season in the last 50 years!
There's not even a debate on this subject...MJ
is the best player who ever 'laced em up'!

Michael Jordan was the best player in the NBA, but, NOT the most valuable.
That award goes to Kareem Abdul Jabbar.
If I had to pick ONE player to build a team, it
would be Jabbar, not Jordan.
Kareem Addul Jabbar - The MOST valuble player in the history of the NBA !

I don't think the number should be retired.. its just a dumb number....

Though I admire Jordan, he had some advantages that others before him didn't. Such as... 3 Point Shot, 3 second violations, Blocking fouls, Illegal picking, Moving screens, and a whole host of others. If you're going to retire numbers, lets start with the guys who wrote the book. Tiny Archibald, John Havlicek, Bob Cousy, Pitsol Pete, Wilt,Rick Barry, and a few others that played it "Old School".

This borders on offensive,Lebron has once again revealed himself to be another dumb jock.He needs to go to school and take a Black History class so he can learn why MLB retired Jackie Robinson's number. His ignorance is astounding! Not only that, Wilt,Kareem and Russell were arguably greater players than Jordan.There is no denying that they were more dominant. Actually, Lebron should ask to have Kobe's number retired as he will very likely eclipse Jordan's many achievements(many people already feel that Kobe is the greatest player ever). James should be the first one to recognize this as many times as Bryant has schooled him!If he wants to sucker his fans into buying more jerseys by changing his number fine,but, there is no reason to be an idiot about it.

MJ was spectactular no bout-a-doubt-it and won "SIX" NBA Championships; again,outstanding to say the least,and maaaaaarvelously done--to say the most about MJ. Nonetheless,and needless to say, MJ's "SIX" is "FIVE" short of the accomplishments of Bill Russell. His[Mr.Russell] "ELEVEN" wins makes him the player with the most NBA Championships wins in the history of the game;and if you're five titles short and consider the best to have ever played the game... then grits ain't groceries, eggs ain't poultry and Mona Lisa was Man.

Too much! Too much! MJ was not just a great player but a leader like few to ever play the game. But enough now. Isn't HOF and GOAT bestowed many many enough? Move on....

As a Black man James should realize why Robinson's # was retired.Not becuase he was a great player but becuase he advanced civil rights for all (even whites, whether they want to admit it or not) at great risk and cost to himself. The only real reason James wants to change his # is to sell everybody another shirt.What a jerk!Kobe Bryant is the greatest non-center who ever played Lebron,Jordan is yesterday's news.Go read a book Lebron so you don't look stupid again.

Oh come on everyone out there who says it shouldn't be retired. I bet there isnt one kid out there that doesn't know who Michael is, and how great he was. He has been done for years yet he is still a household name, and you don't think he is good enough? He revolitionized the game by taking it to the next level. Noone has ever been as good as him and I don't believe anyone will be. Retire his number, he deserves it!

I definitely have to agree with Carkey. Think about Dr J. Like many young basketball players in the Jordan era took after his style; Jordan played was playing in high school and college when Dr. J was at the peak of his career. Take a look at the Dr. dunking from the free throw line just as Jordan did. I saw a little of Dr. J's style in Jordan. Maybe the NBA should retire the Dr.'s number too for that matter.

With out a question Jordan is the cream of the crop. And for people to say he is not are haters!!!! And to compare past players to Jordan and say that they were better is just dumb, lets be serious back then u just need to be 6 foot and a few inches and if u were fast ,able to shoot better then Shaq shooting free throw u were the man. Give his number up he is the G.O.A.T HAnds Down!!!!

If LJ says MJ's number should never be used again, why has he used it since high school?

To say that kobe will achieve what michael achieved is foolish, its never gonna happen.. Kobe is a great player, but nowhere near michael jordan.. He doesnt have the jumper michael did or the moves, his moves are just cheap imitations of michaels.. The only people that believe kobe is beter are greg anthony and mark jackson and thats because jordan embarrassed their knick teams and made them look like high schoolers... Jordan is the GOAT

To say that kobe will achieve what michael achieved is foolish, its never gonna happen.. Kobe is a great player, but nowhere near michael jordan.. He doesnt have the jumper michael did or the moves, his moves are just cheap imitations of michaels.. The only people that believe kobe is beter are greg anthony and mark jackson and thats because jordan embarrassed their knick teams and made them look like high schoolers... Jordan is the GOAT

Labron just wants to sell more jerseys. Retire Magic's number instead.

Kobe should have both of his numbers retired. THE TRUTH HURTS.

First of all you guys love KOBE as if he's one the greats and to me all he has done is win one ring. Because I can't give him all the credit for the other 4 because if shaq (in his prime)was teamed up with any other go to guy they get to the finals and win. Oh yeah did I let you guys know Lebron is his on player and Kobe is a Micheal Jordan LOOK A LIKE tell Kobe when Kobe get his own style of play the world will respect his bum ASS!!

I agree Mike is the most famous athlete. Not just in basketball, but any game. And feel that as long as the Chicago Bulls retired his number that is good enough. Gretsky is probably the only hockey player most people know so for the hockey to retire his # is understandable. The fact that Lebron James feels he should not wear 23 any longer I beleive are personal demons he is fighting with and he just wants to get everybody to agree with him, I dont. Last year he showed his immaturity and selfishness. Mike was the greatest athlete of our era and in a way when other players wear 23 it reminds us of Mike.

Well if Lebron's is serious he should change his #. I think it should be retired too.

All I have to say is that "CarKey" must have been a Jazz fan and is still sore that they could not defeat the Bulls. MJ's number should be retired!

Muzi, You're an idioit... they shouldnt retire it bcause Jrdan wouldn't want that... He is the best player to ever walk on the court, and if you would build yourteamaroun anyone else, you would lose... you were probably one of the people who tought Sam Bowie was a good pick ahead of Mike.

FINALLY!! Michael Jordan is like Mario Lemieux of basketball... or wayne gretzky, i prefer lemieux just because he was a better player than gretzky, but the point is that the greatest player of all time not having his number retired is absurd! this number should DEFINTLEY be retired, its almost sacred in a way, and you dont want a bunch of no names using it, no disrespect to lebron or any other great player that wheres that number... but comon people!! its MICHAEL JORDAN!! AIR JORDAN!! the man who defied gravity! made us all believe we can flie just a little!!

I have probally one of the largest MJ sportcard collections including most of his SI covers. I agree tht his jersey should be retired. He is one of the greatest Basketball players ever. In the top 10 of the worlds greatest atheletes in all of the sports. He made America feel good.

A lot of you people are so dumb . The knowledge of the game you have is zip. Its not about Kobe or James or how many championships you win. Its about how he changed the game and how you play it.He did things on the court, that know one has ever seen before or has yet; the Nba logo is Jerry West ,what did he do for the game? It should be changed to MJ talk about that. know dought about it .bottom line

Mj was a good player but he played in a time where their were only a handfull of players that could matchup with him. Kobe has been playing in a leage now a days that most of the players on the court match up more evenly. MJ was good, but he did it in the time of the giants that had no answear for what he brought to the table. I would love to see if Jordan could be Jordan if he were in this leage now?

thts gay #23 roxs dont do tht lebron

michael jordan is not the NBA's all time leading scorer, that would be KAREEM. he has not won more NBA titles than Bill RUSSELL, who has 11 rings. Robert Horry has more rings (7) than MJ WHO HAS (6). MJ, didn't save basketball the would be MAGIC AND BIRD. and, those who think he defied gravity are full of it. cause, MJ walks on the ground just like u and I. sure he could, jump high, but so do a lot of other basketball players. if anybody should have his # retired it should be your mom, cause she has done more for u than MJ.

To those guys who post negative comment on Jordan!
Hey! what is your problem with jordan!? He is the best player i ever know since before and after his time!

No one has yet break the record he did, the earnings he did in the NBA! You were just insecure to say that! To those players who wear his #23 is that thay idolize jordan and hoping that they could do as close as what MJ did not do great more than that! Pay respect to the man who made NBA history so great more than ever!

Like Mike,I Want 2 be like mike.Every body feel like that when that when they play basketball.It dont matter what country,or race u are.

I grew up in a time when Wilt Chamberlin, Bill Russel, Bob Coozey, Larry Bird, Kareem, Dr. J, and many others played. And not to take anything from their greatness and achievements as far as records they set or awards they won, but no other player brought to the game what Michael did. No one raised the fan level as much as he did. Many games were sold out to far lessor teams because they were playing against the Bulls and Michael. Cities and team owners owe a lot to the income which he brought to them that no other player, before or after, ever has. Retire the #.

Well its a noble gesture but not really necessary. The #23 should only be retired by the Chicago Bulls. Not every team in the NBA. Look at #32? That was Magic's Number and Shaq wore it in Orlando? And he became a great player. Or the #3 which is a very popular point/shooting guard number. It was worn by Iverson, Starks, and many others. I just think The Bulls shouldn't let anyone else rock that number on the team itself. Not the whole league. Just my 0.02

everyone will always have their opinions on who they believe is the "greatest". really you cant single out any one player and say he is the best of all time, there are way too many different factors and arguments anyone can make for this topic. There are clearly about 8 to 10 players who definitely standout above the rest and you can make a good case for Jordan, Wilt,Russ, Magic, Jabbar, Big O, Larry Legend and so on. J|ust and opinion. Go ahead and retire 23. Its all about sales and making that money anyway.

Jordan was not the best player. It's that simple. LeBron, pull your head out.

No way.! michael jordan can still play if he wanted to, hes not old and dieing. who does lebron think hes saying this for, probaly not jordan, last time i checked lebron likes do stuff for attention, until jordan is old and cant still kick lebrons ass then keep 23 around, others will decide, not lebron "the almighty king" (sarcasm)

Majority of the people know Jordan is the best as long as nobody wears it in Chicago that what matters. Plus when you do wear it every body thinks about MJ anyway, so if your NBA player and you dont wana be in the shadow of MJ get a original number that you can make your own becase you want people to think of you not MJ.

guys, soccer never retired 11 nor 9. and believe me, they were Pele and Maradona and Gerd Muler....
is the name that matters! MJ!

Jordans # should be retired a long time ago. We currently have great players in the nba past and present, but none brought the whole package as jordan did. Charisma, Talent, Intensity and team member inclusion, dont forget he made every other player around him better ex; scotti pippen, granted he is a good player but never had the same game after jordan had retired.

They look into those numbers too much. I think it doesnt really matter who wears that 23. Its just number, God...
By the way, Kobe is way better than MJ

I agree with carkey, but also agree with every one. MJ'S number should be retire for respect & tribute to him. LONG LIVE OUR AIRNESS MJ!!

The NHL wasted no time on retiring 99 for Gretzky. I am not aware how many awards Jordan had during his career but Gretzky holds so many that the total number he has is an award in itself. So far Wayne has been the best of all time. I suppose the NBA would have to determine if his career is worthy of the title of greatest of all time.

HE TOTALLY WALKED ON #8. THEY SHOULD OF CALLED IT.

Give me a break already, Michael is not the greatest player to play the game there are others who have played just as good as him. And there will be others behind him who will play better then him, what really makes a man great? I don’t think that question has been answered yet.

Connie Hawkins, Elgin Baylor, and of course the Doctah Julius ERRRRvvvvinnnggggg!!!!! You youngsters dont nothing about that. Thats all right, We cant help what era we are born.

Kobe can score, but he's selfish he's definitely no MJ.

Until any player...in any sport can retire for 2 years,have there father murdered.then come back and win two championships.Then we can have a real discussion.Until then...Jordan is the greatest athelete who ever played.

It's all about what kind a man you are on the court and off the court. Just because he had good moves does mean much. it also how you played with the team as a team player and shared the bal with teammates.

I think it should be retired by the league. I believe that all great players that retired and went to the hall of fame numbers should be retired by the league. Basketball changed over time, so there will also be one or two people that are going to stand out. Everyone has their moment. Why shouldn't greatness be acknowledged.

I believe his jersey should be retired he is the greatest player to can on that basketball court. He made basketball what it is today everyone was watching basketball when he was playing. Even when you were rooting against him you had no choice but to enjoy his craft on that basketball. He played the game with a lot of love even while sick he played. He's even a entrepeneur who expanded his jordan brand. Michael Jordan is the greatest and he has his number behind him to prove it.

Jordan is the best to ever play the game...No arguement. He was the total package, many forget of his defensive abilities. I dont watch nearly as much as I did when he played the game. My biggest regret is that my kids never got to see him play as I did. Retire #23, the greatest!

I'm all for giving Michael Jordan his props. He's been a great player for the team.

But my only question is-- What happens when your run out of two (2) digit numbers to retire? Will you start using alphabets?

Hey! Maybe that's what you should do... use their names instead of numbers, then you can retire their own name!!!

lebron, if you want to change your shirt because you think the number will not win a championship after mj is done with it,then just nike it. (my copyright,) means just do it.Now on MJ he was a great player most people or kids in that time will say so. Dr J in his time ,people and kids will remember him as the greatest, even MJ had think so of him.Now it's kobe time and let face it whatever or whoever moves he used ,hey, he gets the job done. For all you basketball fans, lets forget who is our favourite player and compare facts. Mj had the best set of players on his teams ,and not forgetting the never mention guy that help MJ besuscessful. when MJwent to play baseball the team went on, and when MJ came back you would think he will stand up for scottie, but he wanted to win and bash scottie's decision to sit out for more money. If I remember cleary MJ got 18, million scottie was offer 2.7 million. So what I see is a little MJ in lebron.what Lebron wants lebron must get. what you did after the lost to orlando wasn't mature but everyone claim you are so mature, so what's it? Look go play with the same number and win something and if I was asked , kobe hove the least talent around him and had to do more on his own to win a ring.

Thank you Lebron James for your amazing sportsmanship. Michael Jordan was not only a player but a symbol and inspiration for anyone who is driven in sport, business art and any field and who like to rise to the top. Michael Jordan is American icon and a men's man.
Retire #23 on his honor!!!

Thank you to all of my fans out there. I love all of you. Thanks for everything you all have done for me and continue to do for me. You guys will always remain in my heart no matter what happens to my number. I just wanted to say thank you so much for standing by me. Thank You!

Love Always,

MJ #23

Amazing, it only took him 7 years in the league to think of this...Maybe Nike cant make another sneaker with the number 23, without people thinking they are Jordans...hmmmm

theres alot of respect to gave to those players like jordan, magic, larry bird, jabbar, just to name a few. great players # should be retired when they leave the game or call it quits. I think we will remember the # much more and who it associated with than to watch great players # slip and slide by wannabes great players. NO insult to any players but a spade is a spade. I say retire the Players #. thanks to Jabbar, Larry Bird{the best}, Jordan, and Magic. THese guys caused me to love the NBA. RESPECT to all players, Peace.

Why not retire the number 23 from the clubs that Micheal played with, helped coach, or owned a portion of. But the entire professional sport of basketball? Let's leave room for others who will come along.

Give me a break. In the top ten all time, maybe. But the best? No way. Flashiest all time, but not the greatest. That would be Doctor J.

MJ is greatest! we respect kobe to da max...shaq was there but kobe is kobe,whose respect due; from Patrick Ewing,etc,left knicks,it has not been same; Ewing is great...to da wurl`...we respect reats.shaq id great,too.piipin..
it took a team more importantly!
lol!

MJ is greatest! we respect kobe to da max...shaq was there but kobe is kobe,whose respect due; from Patrick Ewing,etc,left knicks,it has not been same; Ewing is great...to da wurl`...we respect reats.shaq id great,too.pippin..
it took a team more importantly!
lol!

mj and the other mj are da best

Yes Jordan was a great ball player no if and or butts about it but remember it's whats in side that make him or them, what they are not the numbers they wear.
And don't forget the other player's that play with him! So I say if the Bulls want to retire his 23 let them keep the rest in play!Jordan is where is belongs in the hall so let us remember him for him
not the number to tell the truth he could have done it with any Number.

yah man! mj the greatest of them all!!! . . . brings the sport of basketball to a high flying spectacle of airness!

If Jordan Hadn't took his break he probably would have at least 2 more rings

I feel he is the best that ever played the game and to wear 23.I dont think there should debate about im 36 years old and never met micheal he is still my idol to see the nba retire his jersey for good would be the best thing ever

first off you saying that Jordan isnt the best ever you are in fact an idiot, look at the stats that man put up on the board against the GREATEST ERA of basketball known to man and against the best most talented time for players in the league ever known. the feats this man achieved were phenomenal. Yes bill russel and jabbar were great but of all time no. Jordan led the league in almost every stat known almost every year he played. Jordan is the most decorated professional basketball player ever so until somebody else tops that he is GOAT, but do i think the league should retire 23, i think it doesnt matter to the league what we think about that but it would be a honor for this man and i think this honor is due.

Kobe??? and ray are you saying that Kobe didnt have alot of help from the other lakers (Fakers) when he won the championship??? are you joking you must be because having shaq,horry,fox,rice,fisher, and now days having odom,walton,fisher,ariza who actually won the championship for the lakers this last year then they traded him idiots, you do not know basketball ray sorry to say kobe lover but look at kobe's stats compared to MJ's and tell me Kobe is better than him then look at Dr. J's stats and tell me he was better than MJ look at anyones stats and tell me anyone is better than MJ not only did MJ put the stats up but he changed the FACE of the NBA forever, nobody will ever turn on an NBA game and not think for just a second wow wish MJ was playing, or just think about MJ that man did things in basketball other players could only dream of so get your facts right but dont compare a cheating rapist to the greatest shit paul pierce is better than kobe.

Mike inspired the world just like the late king of pop. He was voted the most popular in the world during his time in the league. Mike does not want his number retired he believes he can still inspire people because he was an hero to many. Kobe is a great player but he isnt mike and he would agree. i give much love to the players of the past, they also inspired many people. but there has not been another MJ and im hoping there will be because the game is not the same, i still watch the game because there are great players in the league.

All of this talk is interesting. I just wish I could read it, as the spelling is very questionable along with some comments. Learn how to spell people, your comment will go alot further!

mj is very famous initials... micheal jackson and jordan...

Hey Carkey, sounds like a HATER THANG going on with you.. now you know that MICHAEL JORDAN is the GREATEST!!!!!! Ball player that ever lived... Come on give the Brother his deserved props...

6, 32, 33, all put together will never be a Jordan.. yes they were Great ball players, but they wern't MJ... So let's retire #23, and show some RESPECT!!! You go MJ...

Jordan's Number should be retired by the NBA. why? Because Jordan had the biggest impact of the game worldwide. There are many great players that have played the game. Many legends. Forget the championships and individual awards. Jordan deserve this simply because he has been the face of the "league" and is largely responsible for the global appeal the league currently enjoys today. Ask Charles Barkley or any other of the 1st Dream Team players who was the Star of all stars on the Dream team? Who was the one that opposing players was just in awe of being in his presence? Without a doubt the answer is Michael Jordan. As great as the other legends were they all fail to appeal to the world on the magnitude that Jordan did. And that is why he is largely considered as the GOAT!Plus wherever u see the number 23 on any merchandise Jordan comes to mind. The Miami Heats team has already recognised this, its about time the rest of the teams in the league do. Retire Number 23!!!

i agree mj deserves the title. have you noticed that MJ is the initals of legends. Micheal Jordan, Micheal Jackson.

I don't agree. #23 should not be retired from the NBA. Bulls and maybe the wizards can retire his number. He was a ball hog and could never make the next step till Pippen and Rodman where added to complete the TEAM! Yes he was a great player but still needed the support to win the 6 championships. He didn't do anything with the wizards. NO NO NO NO this should not happen. I grew up in Chicago and do not agree with this.

(Tal) It's not a hater thing. In my comments, I said Jordan was great. No one can take that from him. I just don't see him as GOAT. (Mndg) I'm definitely not a Jazz fan. (Scott;11/14 @8:17A) You've lived through 50 years of NBA ball. Lived would suggest born around 1960, age 49. But if you have watched 50 years of b-ball with reasonable understanding of the game, that would make you about 12 in 1960...so you would have to been born around 1948. Age 49-61, keying cars. Really? Come on. At any rate, my point and opinion comes after weeding through the hype created by media and the stampede of the massses to follow. Games of this era have 10-20 cameras covering them, crystal clear visual clarity coupled with the birth of internet, 24 hr cable sport shows that catalog nearly every move. I simply attempt to look at the entire picture and factor in an objective perspective. Far too many holla Jordan based on a saturation of information and visibility, and totally dismiss others based on lack of knowledge and what their eyegate hasn't absorbed. Therefore, a selection is made based primarily on imcomplete data...so most (not all) don't have any solid tenable points. He's among the greatness of all times, but not the GOAT. Sports and opinions; out of the workplace breakroom & barbershop onto the WWW in a split second. Ya' gotta love it.

If it has to be number, then I think MJ had had it. One other big reason, if MJ did not not have that problem after his third Ring then I would think, He MJ would without a doubt have 8 (EIGHT)Championship Ring and not 6 Ring...Who think different.
STEP on IT..If you believe me,,then lets say Retire the Number 23..