There are some questions to which no one can provide a concise answer. Could Mike Tyson have beaten Muhammad Ali in a fight? Another question that comes under the same category is ?Who is better: Michael Jordan or LeBron James?? As the two most popular NBA stars in history, and the only two billionaire basketball players as well, the debate over who deserves the GOAT status between the duo has existed for a long time. LeBron?s latest news has brought the debate back to the limelight, with various fans voicing their opinions.
But what did The King do that irked fans of His Airness?
LeBron James honors the legacy of Bill Russell
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A few hours ago, ESPN Reporter Dave McMenamin broke the news on Twitter that LeBron James will be changing his NBA Jersey number from No. 6 to No. 23. The news was made official by Rich Paul, the Los Angeles Lakers star?s longtime agent.
According to Paul, the decision was taken out of respect for Bill Russell, an 11? NBA Champion who passed away last year at the age of 88. Soon after this death, in an unprecedented move, the NBA made the decision to retire his jersey number: 6. Players who were already donning the number were given the option to continue wearing it.
LeBron James will change his uniform from No. 6 to No. 23 next season. “It’s LeBron’s decision,” Rich Paul of Klutch Sports Group told ESPN. “He chose to out of respect for Bill Russell.” The NBA retired No. 6 league-wide last August; James wore it a final season to honor Russell
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) July 16, 2023
This is not the first time that King James has chosen to wear that particular number. He has had that numerical on his apparel since high school and even after joining the NBA. It was in 2010, right after switching to the Miami Heat, that LeBron decided to don the No 6.
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Ahead of his 21st NBA season, LeBron?s decision to don the No 23 puts him back on the pedestal since 23 was the number that was used throughout his NBA Career by Chicago Bulls‘ Michael Jordan. LeBron?s news brought the GOAT Debate back to the limelight, with various Twitter users joining in to voice their opinion.
Michael Jordan gets dragged in to slander LeBron James
One fan feels that LeBron is just using Jordan?s iconic number as a way to seek attention. He retweeted the post and commented on his feed, ?Mans desperate attempts to get the attention back on him is a serious illness. Real basketball fans do not give a single f*ck? accompanied by a couple of laughing emojis.
Mans desperate attempts to get the attention back on him is a serious illness. Real basketball fans do not give a single f*ck 😂😂😂 https://t.co/XV3RnRrzkS
— Charles (Dynasty CHAMP Chuck) (@cpenn4thewin) July 16, 2023
Other Michael Jordan fans took up the comments to defend their idol. One user uploaded a painting he has been working on, which shows His Airness dunking on the King. He captioned the post, ?Glad I have 23 on this painting I?m working on. More work to go this week to finish it!?
Glad I have 23 on this painting I’m working on 👀. More work to go this week to finish it! pic.twitter.com/hdVCJoI0K4
— Chuck Braud Art (@Chuckbraud) July 16, 2023
Another user opened up a poll for everyone to vote on their favorite choice. From the looks of it, the race is a close one.
Who is the best 23?
— Chase Wilson (@offworldnexus) July 16, 2023
A couple of fans made their feelings pretty clear. One wrote, “LeBron wants to be Jordan so bad,” while the other just used a GIF of a laughing MJ.
Lebron wants to be Jordan so bad.
— Steve Mullins (@stevenpmullins) July 16, 2023
— The One Memorabilia Group (@1of1MemGroup) July 16, 2023
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Another fan was one of the few people who didn?t use the thread as a way to put one player on a higher platform and chose to go the neutral way. He commented, ?Jordan is my (goat emoji) but LeBron is definitely worthy of wearing the number.?
Jordan is my 🐐 but LeBron is definitely worthy of wearing the number 🤷🏾♂️
— Terrell Brown (@RellTheRemedy) July 16, 2023
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Previous attempts have been made to end the debate where it stands, but fans always find a way to bring the conversation back to life. As long as the NBA continues to thrive, the question of who the better player is will continue to be the same as it has been for a very long time: unanswered.