For all his undeniable physical talent, LeBron James has at times conveyed his intelligence to be on par with Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi. Despite growing up near Cleveland, LeBron considers himself a fan of both the Dallas Cowboys and the New York Yankees. While shunning the Browns is understandable, LeBron grew up with some truly great Cleveland Indians teams. Save for their ass clown manager who preferred the food spread in the clubhouse to actually managing, the Indians should have won at least one World Series in the 1990's.
LeBron even had the poor sense to show up to Jacobs Field for the 2007 ALDS between the Indians and the Yankees with a Yankees hat atop his giant melon.
LeBron's latest attempt to "take a stand" centers around his formal request to the NBA to change his jersey number from 23 to 6, so he can honor Michael Jordan. Now on the surface this seems like a solid thing to do. But when you take into account Jordan's significance on the NBA, LeBron's decision seems as well thought out as the plot to "Hot Tub Time Machine".
What seems completely lost on LeBron is that number 6 belongs to both Bill Russell and Dr. J, two men who played huge roles in making Jordan's existence and style in the NBA possible.
With 11 championships, Russell is the most celebrated winner in professional sports - the consummate team player. Russell played in one of the most racist cities during the height of the Civil Rights Movement. Russell also was the first black head coach in NBA history and the first black coach in any professional sport to win a championship.
That's not worth honoring by not wearing the number?
While Jordan played a huge part in helping expand the global popularity of the NBA, his impact is far more cultural than anything else. Jordan didn't pave the way for today's current players like Russell and Elgin Baylor. And Jordan didn't save the league like Magic and Bird.
If anything, Jordan gave way to me-first prima donna's who care more about selling shoes and net worth, rather than using their influence for the common good. After all, it was Jordan who famously said, "Republicans buy sneakers too" when he declined to endorse Bill Bradley's ill-fated presidential campaign.
That's who LeBron wants to emulate?
Actually...that is EXACTLY who LeBron is trying to emulate. Regardless if LeBron is wearing 6 or 23 for the Cavs or for the Knicks, he's successfully earned millions upon millions for both himself and the NBA. Witness.
