Michael Jordan's retired jersey in Miami We all know that Michael Jordans number 23 was retired in Miami, but why? Even though this happened almost a year ago, there was never a topic on JBB about it and i've always been baffled as to why this was done. [rant] The Heat never should have retired his number, and if anything he was detrimental to this franchise. Not even the Wizards retired number 23, and logically speaking, Jordan is the sole reason that the Heat never made it to the 1996-97 NBA Finals when the Bulls defeated the Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals. Had we of gone to the Finals that year, we would have faced the stacked Jazz and had a good chance of winning, but no, that didn't happen. It would have been our first, and to date our only appearance in the NBA Finals, so one must ask, if Jordan killed our best chances of winning an NBA championship in franchise history, why was his jersey retired? What could he have possibly done for the Miami Heat that was so significant and special that his jersey was retired in Miami? Someone could argue that just his presence in the NBA and things like that, but no, just no. Mabye it was because of Riley's tremendous respect for Jordan? Who knows. Michael Jordan is the first and currently he is the only player to ever had a jersey retired in Miami, yet he never even played or had anything to do with the Miami Heat franchise. I do not agree with Jordan having his jersey and number retired in Miami, however if Riley really wanted it done that badly, the Heat should have at least waited until one of their own had a retired jersey, such as Zo, Tim, Steve, or Glen. WHY? [/rant]
I honestly never understood that myself, either. I agree with you, what the in the world did he do for the Heat for his jersey could even be considered to be retired there? It makes no sense at all. But If I were to take a guess, I would have said what KJ posted.
that was pretty much the lowest point for me. i was in the arena that day, and many people booed. if it was marketing bullshit, it backfired, because most people felt that way. even mj had a sort of pained expression in his face. although it may be because how hideous that half bull half wizards jersey looks.
You can just imagine how Zo and Timmy felt. If I remember it correctly, Riley said that he wants it retired for the things that MJ has done to the NBA itself. He even said that every team should do it. Oh and I'm with you, that jersey was horrible.
Does anyone have a pic of that jersey?Because i never saw it.This is a disgrace retiring MJ's jersey when more people deserves it more.
