The fact that an NBA team he never played for retired his jersey number perfectly captures Michael Jordan’s unmatched legacy and aura.
Although he also wore No. 12 and No. 45, Jordan made the No. 23 legendary and will always be connected to the number.
His Airness played in the NBA for 15 seasons, winning six titles with the Chicago Bulls along the way, and securing his place as maybe the greatest player to ever play basketball.
At the latter end of his career, he also played for the Washington Wizards before retiring in 2003.
Heat president Pat Riley explained that No. 23 was hoisted from the rafters “in honor of your greatness” and promised that no one would ever wear No. 23 again.
Other teams were also asked by him to do the same, but they never did.
Riley said, “I think it’s honorable that our guys walk onto the court and look up to see how high you have to climb to reach what he has achieved.”
All I think is that he deserves it. I believe it wouldn’t be a terrible idea for every club in this league to hang the number of the person in the rafters as a reminder of what excellence is all about. He has been the best player in the history of the game.
Jordan reportedly responded, “It was by far the best gift I ever could have received,” according to Sports Illustrated.
“It speaks a lot to have your jersey honored in someone else’s building… Undoubtedly, it’s something very, really unique.
In 2020, the Dallas Mavericks honored the memory of the late Kobe Bryant in a similar manner, and after Bill Russell’s passing in 2022, the NBA retired his No. 6.
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