Why have the Miami Heat retired Michael Jordan's and Dan Marino's jersey numbers?

[shady6121]

Michael Jordan never played for them and Dan Marino played in another sport. Wtf lol?

[Patrick Chewing]

Having lived in Miami it's a joke from Miami fan's perspective as well. Jordan burned the Heat just as much as any other team in basketball. To honor him is a joke, but the Heat organization do it as a sign of respect I suppose.

[NBASTATMAN]

Michael Jordan never played for them and Dan Marino played in another sport. Wtf lol?

Cuz they r wack

[Kurosawa0]

The NBA should retire #23 in his honor, but it's a bit odd for Miami just to do it themselves. I get Marino as a local thing.

[senelcoolidge]

Jordan and Marino's numbers are right next to Bimbo Coles number. The heat have a lot of tradition.

[PJR]

Marino isn't retired. He was just honored being a South Florida sports icon. Jordan however is, and it's embarrassing. I really wish Riley didn't push his personal man crush on Jordan to the Heat fans.

[Scholar]

The NBA should retire #23 in his honor, but it's a bit odd for Miami just to do it themselves. I get Marino as a local thing.

Why?

If you're going to retire Michael Jordan's jersey number altogether, why not retire Wilt's, Kareem's, Russell's, etc.?

What would make Jordan that special?
He didn't score more points than Kareem, who also won 6 titles.
He didn't win more championships than Bill Russell, who won 11 in 13 seasons.
He averaged the practically the same amount of PPG as Wilt Chamberlain for his career.

I'm nowhere near a Jordan hater, but some of you Jordan Stans make me sick.

[ripthekik]

Well it seems like the Heat are also going to retire Kobe's number after he retires.

[senelcoolidge]

Why?

If you're going to retire Michael Jordan's jersey number altogether, why not retire Wilt's, Kareem's, Russell's, etc.?

What would make Jordan that special?
He didn't score more points than Kareem, who also won 6 titles.
He didn't win more championships than Bill Russell, who won 11 in 13 seasons.
He averaged the practically the same amount of PPG as Wilt Chamberlain for his career.

I'm nowhere near a Jordan hater, but some of you Jordan Stans make me sick.

I guess you never watched Jordan play. Stats are nice, but they don't make you great. Being lucky enough to be on stacked teams year after year and winning championships doesn't make you great. Stats and rings don't make you great..they are nice, but don't define greatness. But I think it's silly that Miami retired the number of a player that never played for them.

[Kurosawa0]

Why?

If you're going to retire Michael Jordan's jersey number altogether, why not retire Wilt's, Kareem's, Russell's, etc.?

What would make Jordan that special?
He didn't score more points than Kareem, who also won 6 titles.
He didn't win more championships than Bill Russell, who won 11 in 13 seasons.
He averaged the practically the same amount of PPG as Wilt Chamberlain for his career.

I'm nowhere near a Jordan hater, but some of you Jordan Stans make me sick.

Because Michael Jordan is the biggest figure in the history of the sport and it's not even close. Hell, he's one of the most famous humans ever. #23 is different than #6 for Bill Russell or #33 was for Kareem.

[KOBE143]

Well it seems like the Heat are also going to retire Kobe's number after he retires.

this

both 8 and 24..

[Knoe Itawl]

Why?

If you're going to retire Michael Jordan's jersey number altogether, why not retire Wilt's, Kareem's, Russell's, etc.?

What would make Jordan that special?
He didn't score more points than Kareem, who also won 6 titles.
He didn't win more championships than Bill Russell, who won 11 in 13 seasons.
He averaged the practically the same amount of PPG as Wilt Chamberlain for his career.

I'm nowhere near a Jordan hater, but some of you Jordan Stans make me sick.

Though I don't necessarily believe in retiring Jordan's number, like it or not Jordan took the NBA into the stratosphere when he played. I know so many people who got into the NBA solely because of Jordan and haven't watched it since he left. Global icon. One of the 10 most famous people of all time. Etc. etc. So you have his greatness ALONG with what he did for the sport. None of those other legends have that. THAT'S why an argument can be made that his jersey should be retired. Oh, and to answer your other part

He was a winner like Russell (not as much obviously but a lot), scored like Wilt, dominated regular season and playoffs like Kareem, and did so with the most aesthetically pleasing game of all time.

[dh144498]

Well it seems like the Heat are also going to retire Kobe's number after he retires.

[RagaZ]

Sh*t franchise.

[NumberSix]

Sh*t franchise.

Not everyone is lucky enough to tank an entire season on a lucky draft year.