Hoops

Will LeBron's number be retired by the Cavs?

The post listed as "LC" was an imposter - only the real LC comes with the real LC 'hoops head' avatar!!!

Let's be serious though, LeBron is a superstar of the NBA right now and has been in his time in Cleveland. He put the Cav's on the world basketball map, took them to the NBA finals and helped put the images "Craig Ehlo" behind them, however...

LeBron never delivered them a championship, and instead of helping build a championship winning team he has jumped ship (not that I hold that against him). But for heaven's sake the guy announced he is leaving on US national TV and basically rubbed it into the Cav's fans, franchise and owner's face. He is arguably the best ever Cav's player in their history. But will he get his number retired based on what has happened...I think not, and dfefinitely not under the leadership of the current Cav's owner.

Maybe when all the water runs under the bridge, and time passes by (and all that stuff), then perhaps maybe he will be considered. But right now there is no chance it hell it is going to happen.

Anon, you've got the "technically correct" answer to retiring his jersey at the Cavs. The accolades he has will get him into the NBA Hall of Fame and perhaps the FIBA Basketball HoF but doesn't warrant a club retiring a jersey.

He essentially gave the finger to the Cavs (in not such a direct action) and left to win a title. Depending on what he does this season, that may change. If he does a "Shane Heal" during an away game in Cleveland and flips off the fans, he will screw himself over.

Good point out on the Club records.

Also, have a look at the list of players jerseys that have been retired by the Cavs. Looking at the list, it is hard to put up a reason why James' number should not be retired.

Surmdog, Stockton was a lifer with the Jazz and Malone only ditched his last year after more than a decade with them as well.

Both put through the hard yards with their team, including having to build a contender team for nearly 7 years before they had a chance to achieve anything.

Individual accolades may get you a Hall of Fame place in the NBA; but not a retiring of your jersey.

Really, in all seriousness of the word, what has LeBron done to deserve his number being retired? 2 NBA MVPs, and a trip to the NBA Finals.

When it comes down to the crunch, the big games, when the lights are down and the spotlight's fully lit up, he has failed.

To retire a number that means that the player in question must be the best player to have ever represented that team in that number, and that no player could ever possibly come close to what the retired number player achieved. I'm sorry, but LeBron didn't do enough to get his jersey retired imo. Had he got a ring or two with the Cavs, completely different story. But let's face it, come playoff time comes LeChoke time :))

I think it will be raised to the rafters at some stage...

Probably after Cleveland beat Miami in a Conference Final and the jersey is hoisted ablaze while a Pagan sacrificial dance happens on the court below.

We had this a few weeks ago..interesting topic.

http://linky.com.au/otpl5

I think you got a better chance at seeing his number retired on the rafters at heat.