Michael Jordan appreciates LeBron James' gesture but asked by his friend Ahmad Rashad if he thought his No. 23 should be retired by the NBA, Jordan wasn't exactly on board with the idea.
Jordan was a guest via phone on NBA TV's "All Access with Ahmad," and offered up some more names worthy of having their numbers retired.
"Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Bill Russell, all those guys should have their jerseys retired, too," Jordan said. "I understand his gesture, but I am in the same group as those guys so I wouldn't want to see my jersey retired unless you retire those guys. It is a compliment. I totally understand that. I appreciate LeBron for doing that and it is very thoughtful."
Kobe Bryant, despite Jordan's objections, called it "a great idea," according to the Orange County Register.
"He's different than any other player who has played the game," Bryant said.
But Phoenix Suns guard Jason Richardson, who wears No. 23, agrees with Jordan.
"It is somewhat good to honor Mike," Richardson told the Arizona Republic. "He is the greatest player to play this game. But to think about retiring his number, there's too many great players you'd have to retire."
Jordan was a guest via phone on NBA TV's "All Access with Ahmad," and offered up some more names worthy of having their numbers retired.
"Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Bill Russell, all those guys should have their jerseys retired, too," Jordan said. "I understand his gesture, but I am in the same group as those guys so I wouldn't want to see my jersey retired unless you retire those guys. It is a compliment. I totally understand that. I appreciate LeBron for doing that and it is very thoughtful."
Kobe Bryant, despite Jordan's objections, called it "a great idea," according to the Orange County Register.
"He's different than any other player who has played the game," Bryant said.
But Phoenix Suns guard Jason Richardson, who wears No. 23, agrees with Jordan.
"It is somewhat good to honor Mike," Richardson told the Arizona Republic. "He is the greatest player to play this game. But to think about retiring his number, there's too many great players you'd have to retire."
Get our updates on 
Jordan is the very best of all time. Atleast in my generation (30 years of age) I would be shocked to see anyone even approach his level of dominance. He was gifted physically but how he approached the game mentally seperates him from everyone else. His number should be retired across the league. The sooner it happens the better.