Official 2010 NBA Playoffs Discussion

LeBron wants all players to surrender 23
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Saying he is willing to initiate the movement, LeBron James would like to see any NBA player who wears No. 23 to choose another number in homage to Michael Jordan.

With Jordan looking on from a third-row seat Thursday night, James scored 34 points to help the Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Heat 111-104 in Miami. Afterward, in what was an impromptu plea, James said he plans to switch his number from 23 to 6 after this season.

"I just think what Michael Jordan has done for the game has to be recognized some way soon," James told TNT. "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 [Hall of Famer Jerry West's silhouette adorns the NBA's 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."

Players changing jersey numbers, at least during this decade, are not unprecedented. James briefly switched to No. 45 a few years ago before going back to No. 23. Bryant, whose No. 24 is among the league's biggest sellers, switched from No. 8 a few seasons ago.

"If you see 23, you think about Michael Jordan," James said, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer. "You see game-winning shots, you think about Michael Jordan; you see guys fly through the air, you think about Michael Jordan; you see fly kicks, you think about Michael Jordan. He did so much, it has to be recognized, and not just by putting him in the Hall of Fame."

James wore No. 6 as a member of the 2008 U.S. Olympic team at the Beijing Games. According to the Plain Dealer, he's also worn the number in Cavs practices in the past two years.

"My second-favorite player was Julius Erving, and he wore No. 6," James said, according to the newspaper. "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."

Ray Allen is off the books, Rondos extension kicks in, Scalabrine and Tony Allen are also off the books.

I am not saying the Celtics get Lebron or Wade, but they can def get young and re-tool a bit if they dont want Ray Ray back.

I want to see if Lebron actually goes through with switching his number, my guess is that he wont

Sooo last night he wore Yankees sneakers IN GAME and after he said he's switching his number???

In a completely UNRELATED story the Knicks have said their preferences in this order are LeBron, Wade and if they can't get them; Bosh and Joe Johnson.

Do we even have to play the rest of this season? Just give the Celtics the title and start free agency.

Ralpho the Celtics roster is still inflated like a dickens. As long as Garnett and Pierce are there they'll attract signings like Sheed and Daniels, but when the dynasty breaks up it's gonna be a complete rebuild. Which is ok because you have that ring. Better just hope they don't fall into trying to maintain winning seasons like the Knicks did in 2000 and after. It's like a black hole. I only say this because they did give in to Rondo. Ainge should have waited.

Chris Paul seriously hurt his ankle tonight against the Blazers. They had to carry him off the court. Fuuuck

Yep, regardless of Friday the 13th, the Hornets are cursed.

They will regret firing Scott in the long run, or maybe sooner than that.

If the Bucks are a top 4 seed at the end of the season, Jennings is probably playing like the MVP. I grossly underrated this kid.

Wow, it's for Kenny Thomas. BARF. Are they trying to ruin the Hornets step by step, what's next? Trade David West? ONE trade could make us a contender, and it's for a certain player who wears a mask if you know what I mean...

If the Hornets are taking the Cap Relief route, atleast make trades to where you get SOMETHING of decent value in return. just trade David West, and wait in the off season and go snag a good PF like Bosh.

Thomas's expiring contract is worth $8.7 million, to be exact.

Okafor leads the team in rebounds, 9.5, and blocks, 1.91, and is also third in scoring behind Paul and West with 10.5 ppg.

Kenny Thomas averages 2.2 ppg, 4.8 rpg and .40 bpg in his 13.4 minutes played per game.

It sounds like a 100% salary dump in preparation for next summer's free agent class. The Hornets would have to be desperate to make a move like this so early in the season, because it would effectively kill any hopes of making the playoffs.

Sacramento, on the other hand, would be crazy not to take this offer, except for the fact that Okafor's contract isn't pretty.