duncan228
03-02-2010, 05:44 PM
The Change Game: Finding Appropriate Jersey Numbers for the NBA Stars (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=tsn-thechangegamefinding&prov=tsn&type=lgns)
SportingNews
On Monday, LeBron James announced that he’s gone through with the paperwork to change his jersey number from 23 to 6. In the grand scheme of things, this is a minor story, but it’s big in NBA merchandising circles. Plus, beyond dollars and cents, James is making a statement in favor of Michael Jordan as the unimpeachable Greatest of All Time, no matter which heights he may reach later in his career.
By changing his number, LeBron is also turning Kobe Bryant’s rare swap from several years ago into a potential trend. Now that both Kobe and LeBron have done it, it’s open to all other stars in the league looking to make statements. So which other number changes can we expect in the coming months?
Kobe Bryant: 24 to 96
Yes, Kobe changed his number at the start of the 2006-07 season, but now that he has another championship, the situation has changed. At the time, people read his switch from 8 to 24 as a claim that he was better than Michael Jordan. In fact, it was really just his way of showing his love of winning: 3 (championships) times 8 makes 24. Now that he has a fourth ring, it’s time to reset the mark to 96. As an added bonus, that’s all the year he was drafted, which ties everything up in a nice little bow. And we all know Kobe likes things to appear perfect.
Bonus suggestion: It’s also possible Kobe just loves his times tables and wanted to show that his lack of a college education hasn’t impeded his love of math. If you multiply 24 by 3 once again, you get 72, which is one less than the 73 that Dennis Rodman wore for his short stint with the Lakers in 1998-99. You wouldn’t think it, but Kobe treasured those years and knows he will never have another friend like The Worm.
Dwyane Wade: 3 to 8
It’s no secret that Wade is unhappy with the direction of the Heat. He needs a legitimate star running mate, and Michael Beasley, though promising, isn’t going to cut it. Wade finds himself in essentially the same situation Kobe did prior to Pau Gasol’s arrival in Los Angeles: a lone superstar in desperate need of help, and bitter because of it. By changing to Kobe’s old number, Wade will send a message that he’s unhappy and on the verge of disparaging Joel Anthony in public.
Dwight Howard: 12 to 32
In the eyes of Shaquille O’Neal, DH is little more than a biter of the Big Kal-El’s nickname and joke-making gimmicks. In other words, Shaq is paranoid, and the best way to get back at him is to feed his sickness. The Orlando No. 32 has forever been associated with the youthful Shaq we all know and love, and he would certainly see malice in a Howard switch. Future steps in this plan: having someone ghostwrite a rap album, making a movie about a rapping wizard, and doing ads for DirecTV.
Kevin Durant: 35 to 40
As Durant grows as a player, his No. 35 looks more and more like a goal to reach for his scoring average. He’s so talented that the mark looks in play even within the next two or three seasons. When that happens, KD will need to set a new mark, and what better way to do so than by jumping up in increments of five?
Kevin Garnett: 5 to 0
KG has said that he chose No. 5 to honor Bill Russell, claiming that there will never be another player like that in Boston. As the Celtics age and become less effective on the court, the only way to cut off a fan revolt will be to honor more Celtics legends. First stop: Robert Parish. There will never be another 00!
Carmelo Anthony: 15 to … 15
Inspired by LeBron, Melo will decide to switch to his Team USA number. Unfortunately, he used No. 15 in Beijing, so there’s nowhere for him to go. That’s not thinking ahead, Carmelo, and now you’re stuck with a lack of flexibility at a time when everyone’s looking to change. When you think about it, that makes this a lot like your decision to extend your contract to 2011 instead of 2010. It’s no fun being left out.
SportingNews
On Monday, LeBron James announced that he’s gone through with the paperwork to change his jersey number from 23 to 6. In the grand scheme of things, this is a minor story, but it’s big in NBA merchandising circles. Plus, beyond dollars and cents, James is making a statement in favor of Michael Jordan as the unimpeachable Greatest of All Time, no matter which heights he may reach later in his career.
By changing his number, LeBron is also turning Kobe Bryant’s rare swap from several years ago into a potential trend. Now that both Kobe and LeBron have done it, it’s open to all other stars in the league looking to make statements. So which other number changes can we expect in the coming months?
Kobe Bryant: 24 to 96
Yes, Kobe changed his number at the start of the 2006-07 season, but now that he has another championship, the situation has changed. At the time, people read his switch from 8 to 24 as a claim that he was better than Michael Jordan. In fact, it was really just his way of showing his love of winning: 3 (championships) times 8 makes 24. Now that he has a fourth ring, it’s time to reset the mark to 96. As an added bonus, that’s all the year he was drafted, which ties everything up in a nice little bow. And we all know Kobe likes things to appear perfect.
Bonus suggestion: It’s also possible Kobe just loves his times tables and wanted to show that his lack of a college education hasn’t impeded his love of math. If you multiply 24 by 3 once again, you get 72, which is one less than the 73 that Dennis Rodman wore for his short stint with the Lakers in 1998-99. You wouldn’t think it, but Kobe treasured those years and knows he will never have another friend like The Worm.
Dwyane Wade: 3 to 8
It’s no secret that Wade is unhappy with the direction of the Heat. He needs a legitimate star running mate, and Michael Beasley, though promising, isn’t going to cut it. Wade finds himself in essentially the same situation Kobe did prior to Pau Gasol’s arrival in Los Angeles: a lone superstar in desperate need of help, and bitter because of it. By changing to Kobe’s old number, Wade will send a message that he’s unhappy and on the verge of disparaging Joel Anthony in public.
Dwight Howard: 12 to 32
In the eyes of Shaquille O’Neal, DH is little more than a biter of the Big Kal-El’s nickname and joke-making gimmicks. In other words, Shaq is paranoid, and the best way to get back at him is to feed his sickness. The Orlando No. 32 has forever been associated with the youthful Shaq we all know and love, and he would certainly see malice in a Howard switch. Future steps in this plan: having someone ghostwrite a rap album, making a movie about a rapping wizard, and doing ads for DirecTV.
Kevin Durant: 35 to 40
As Durant grows as a player, his No. 35 looks more and more like a goal to reach for his scoring average. He’s so talented that the mark looks in play even within the next two or three seasons. When that happens, KD will need to set a new mark, and what better way to do so than by jumping up in increments of five?
Kevin Garnett: 5 to 0
KG has said that he chose No. 5 to honor Bill Russell, claiming that there will never be another player like that in Boston. As the Celtics age and become less effective on the court, the only way to cut off a fan revolt will be to honor more Celtics legends. First stop: Robert Parish. There will never be another 00!
Carmelo Anthony: 15 to … 15
Inspired by LeBron, Melo will decide to switch to his Team USA number. Unfortunately, he used No. 15 in Beijing, so there’s nowhere for him to go. That’s not thinking ahead, Carmelo, and now you’re stuck with a lack of flexibility at a time when everyone’s looking to change. When you think about it, that makes this a lot like your decision to extend your contract to 2011 instead of 2010. It’s no fun being left out.