Michael Jordan says there are a host of players worthy of having their number retired by the NBA.

Recently, players have initiated talks that Jordan's No. 23 should be retired league-wide. The firestorm started when Cavaliers star LeBron James announced that he'll soon switch from No. 23 to No. 6.

"It was very nice, I totally understand that," Jordan told NBA TV. "But I'm a guy that says there is no one great player in the NBA. The NBA lasts a lot longer than one particular person so I understand what his point is."

The NBA leaves the decision on retiring numbers to individual teams.

"Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Bill Russell, all those guys should have their jerseys retired, too," Jordan added. "I understand his gesture, but I am in the same group as those guys so I wouldn't want to see my jersey retired unless you retire those guys. It is a compliment. I totally understand that. I appreciate LeBron for doing that and it is very thoughtful."