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Michael Jordan was never the most loved person in New York. I can vouch for that one

His number shouldn't be retired by anyone except the Bulls. It'd be best if he just faded into the background and disappeared like most other hall of famers do and let the current players have their time in the spotlight. Apparently he's either not capable or not willing to do that and the press willingly goes along with it.

lol did someone said Bret Pavre??/

Gretzky really opened up the NHL to a large part of the United States. His move to Los Angeles and their success was the precursor to the NHL (over-) expanding south. Also, I think a lot of clubs moved from their long time Canada home cities to western and southern states with larger cities and market places. Not sure all these changes will be long-term positives, but that's kind of what got the ball rolling.

Still, hockey in California is still way behind the other major teams sports in popularity.

I think when the LA Galaxy signed Beckham, they were hoping for something similar. Unfortunately, I don't think its working out so well.

Gretzky is untouchable as clearly the best hockey player ever, though Lemieux could have challenged that had he stayed healthy.

Gretzky took the perrennial cellar dweller Kings to the Finals. That speaks volumes about his greatness.

That's true...the Kings came pretty close that year to winning it. However, it wasn't just Gretzky that turned around the Kings. It was really Bruce McNall, who purchased them from Lakers owner Jerry Buss. He was the one that engineered the Gretzky deal and surrounded him with talent that the Kings had never had. I was in college in LA at the time and hockey was quite the buzz for a few years.

I'm not saying that No. 23 should be retired everywhere, but for the record, at least one guy in New York at the time liked him....

(http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/news/2003/04/...)

Money quote:

"In honor of your greatness and for all you've done for the game of basketball -- and not just the NBA, but for all the fans around the world -- we want to honor you tonight and hang your jersey, No. 23, from the rafters," Riley said at midcourt. "No one will ever wear No. 23 for the Miami Heat. You're the best." Jordan then hugged Riley and waved to the crowd.

It was the first jersey the Heat have retired in their 15-year history.

Mr. Slick Hair was at the HOF ceremony, too.

I think the NBA will name the season MVP trophy after Jordan. And that will surely anger Kareem fans.

That's true...the Kings came pretty close that year to winning it. However, it wasn't just Gretzky that turned around the Kings. It was really Bruce McNall, who purchased them from Lakers owner Jerry Buss. He was the one that engineered the Gretzky deal and surrounded him with talent that the Kings had never had. I was in college in LA at the time and hockey was quite the buzz for a few years.

McNall signed Gretzky, but really Gretzky came to the Kings because of any reason that doesnt include the name Janet Jones. It wasnt just Gretzky, as you say, it was also guys like Blake and Robitaille, to name a couple. I went to game three of the finals vs Montreal at the Fabulous Forum and screamed until I was hoarse, good times.

In reality I was just trying to be funny (I'll keep working on it) but except for the few years Gretzky was here, and a couple after, the Kings have a long history of not being very good.

Edited to keep an international incident from erupting over why Gretzky agreed to come to the Kings instead of Detroit or Vancouver. Certainly something that happened decades ago needs to be fought and argued over, but I will leave it to people who still care why.

(p.s.- Janet hypnotized Wayne and made him buy the Coyotes)

Last edited by Heathcoat at 9/24/2009 6:17:47 AM

Did this ever happen in any sport that a number was retired for the whole league?

Yes, Jackie Robinson's number 42 is retired for all teams. However sometimes on April 15th all players (and umpires) are allowed, even encouraged, to wear #42 in honor of JR

Clemente's 21 has been considered for league retirement a couple of times, but it hasn't happened (yet)

Still, hockey in California is still way behind the other major teams sports in popularity.

I grew up in California and never played hockey or ice skated once. There is no ice :P

There are Ice Skating rinks but.......

Easier to get addicted to Hockey if you come from a place where people skated and played hockey on a local lake or something like that.

Eh, that just gives Knicks fans another reason to be mad at Pat Riley.

Janet Jones had ZERO to do with the trade. NOTHING. I really hate it when people continue to spread that particular nonsense.

Gretzky had to be traded because of the absurd contract he was signed to. Pocklington(then owner of the Oilers) screwed himself. LA was one of the few teams willing to void the contract for and was the only one offering cash considerations. In short, McNall was willing to give up the most financially for him.

I need to say something about people on here wanting to compare Jordan to Gretzky. What the hell are you talking about?

All-time scoring in the NHL:

Gretzky Goals - 894 Assists - 1963 Points - 2857

Number 2 all-time(Messier) Goals - 694 Assists - 1193 Points - 1887.

Gretzky put up about 50% more points than anyone else in history. You could take away all 894 goals and he would still be number one in points.

To accomplish the same thing Jordan would have had to average around 54 points a game.

The you have the people who keep pointing at rings. Last time I checked basketball and hockey were team sports. If you want to count rings then you need to remember that Jordan does not have the most rings. Hell even Robert Horry has 7 rings.

Jordan was great, and I loved him, but to say he was anywhere nearly as dominant as Wayne Gretzky simply means you have no clue what you are talking about. Of course other players think Jordan was dominant, but Gretzky had other players wondering if he was some sort of hockey alien from another universe.

Jordan was possibly the greatest player in the NBA, but Gretzky is the god of hockey. That is why Gretzky's number was retired from the NHL but Jordan's should not be retired from the NBA.