Change the rules for retired numbers?

[Real Deal]

Do you think the league should change the rules for "retired" numbers?

 

Charles Barkley stated a bit ago that he would be happy with Mickael Pietrus wearing his #34 in Phoenix, and that he's grateful that his name and number are hanging in the arena.

 

Would you be okay with the league allowing players to wear any number they wanted, despite which ones are hanging? Seeing that name and number in the air...should that be enough, or is it necessary to "retire" it from the rest of the team, every year, for good?

[Cleveland's Finest]

They should drop retired numbers and just have "retired jerseys".

 

I know it's not a problem now, but for some teams like LA and Boston with so many retired numbers, it could come to a point where players can't choose the number they want.

 

I don't see the point in making a number not usable. Just retire the jersey. And players can wear those numbers to honor those players.

[htownborn]

I agree with Chuck, if the NFL allows its players to do it I don't see why the NBA can't do it. I mean I think that jerseys could still be retired and all but as for the number I think it shouldn't really matter. I mean Chuck didn't even wear #34 his whole carrer and what will happen when all the other numbers are retired.

Edited December 24, 2010 by htownborn

[Oliver P]

That would be fine by me... As long as the player's name and number is hanging in the arena, and that the player is remembered by all, I don't see why it would be a problem for another player to wear that same number.

 

By the way, if the player whose number is retired is okay with it, isn't it already possible for another player to wear it ? Cause I remember that when Shaq arrived in LA in 96, Magic offered him to wear his number 32. Shaq refused and wore the number 34 instead. So I thought that it was possible.

[Newman]

 

 

By the way, if the player whose number is retired is okay with it, isn't it already possible for another player to wear it ? Cause I remember that when Shaq arrived in LA in 96, Magic offered him to wear his number 32. Shaq refused and wore the number 34 instead. So I thought that it was possible.

 

Yes I believe so as well, but that person would have to probably obtain permission directly from the player whose number is retired or from someone given authority to do so, hence why Charles publicly said that he is fine with Pietrus wearing no.34.

 

As a Bulls fan, I personally don't ever want to see another player wearing #23 or #33 in a Bulls uniform but I am fine with all others but given how there are only 15 players in a team at any given time of a season there shouldn't be a problem finding available numbers.

Edited December 24, 2010 by Newman

[Sun Tzu]

Yes because after 100 years probably almost every single and double digit number will be retired for each team and players will have to go with three digit numbers.