Le Basketbawl

We live in a very cynical age and Your Old Pal New York Vinnie is an extremely cynical man. New York Vinnie learned long ago not to take anything at face value. They say some people look at a glass and see it half empty while others see it as half full. New York Vinnie looks at the glass and thinks do I really want to drink out of this Frickin glass? So no matter how nice the gesture may seem New York Vinnie is always looking for the angle; because if you Frickin dig deep enough 9 times out of 10 you will find one.

The “Cleveland Plain Dealer” is reporting that Cleveland Cavaliers All-Star forward and last season’s NBA MVP LeBron James told reporters after the Cavaliers victory over the Miami Heat Thursday that he is contemplating changing his uniform number at the end of the season. Most likely you are well aware that “King James” currently wears number 23 the same number his boyhood hero Michael Jordan wore during his playing days.

James told reporters he is planning on changing his number from 23 to the number 6 because he believes Jordan’s number should be retired. He also would like all over players who wear that number ro make the change as well. Jordan was at the game between Miami and Cleveland seated next to Heat executive Pat Riley.

What is behind the change for LBJ? The All-Star told reporters “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 (that is former L.A. Lakers legend Jerry West) 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.”

Yo LeBron; you are correct that M.J. helped the game’s popularity. However if it wasn’t for Larry Bird and Magic Johnson the NBA could have ceased to exist before Michael ever took the court in an NBA game. There also happens to be a guy by the name of “Dr. J“;  Julius Erving who was pretty Frickin special.  In fact you think pretty highly about him your self. And as much as New York Vinnie hates the Frickin Boston Celtics Bill Russell won 11 rings in 13 years and his number is not retired.

Why has James chosen the number six? The Cavaliers forward told reporters “My second-favorite player was Julius Erving, and he wore No. 6. I wore 32 in high school because Dr. J wore it at first. My first child was born on Oct. 6, it’s my Olympic number, my second child was born in June.”

So “The Doctor’s” number should not be retired but Jordan’s should. New York Vinnie is not sure you would say that LeBron if you could have seen the young man I did when I was a teenager play for the old New York Nets of the old ABA. Julius was in many ways better than Jordan offensively. So New York Vinnie is not sure he is on board with retiring Jordan’s number.

However the other thing that New York Vinnie is bothered by is exactly what is “The Chosen One’s” true motivation in this matter. Is this truly all about Michael or does merchandising come into play as well? If LeBron changes to number six do you realize how many millions of new LBJ jerseys with number six will be sold? I am sure LeBron and his business advisers are; LeBron James is nobody’s dummy.

So LBJ you want to change your number for what ever the reason you go right ahead My Man. However New York Vinnie does not believe that Jordan’s number should be retired unless the NBA plans on retiring a few other numbers.