Is Zero the New Twenty-Three?

And now, a blatant attempt at some NCAA/NBA crossover.

The hardcore blog Gilbertology led me to this fascinating Toronto Star article on the rising popularity of number zero. Examples of players in this year's tournaments wearing 0 or 00 include Oregon's Aaron Brooks, Kansas's Darrell Arthur, and UCLA's Russell Westbrook.

Interestingly, none of them mention Arenas as their inspiration. But all of them give an explanation similar to Gilbert's well-known riff. And this quote from Westbrook is especially suspicious:

"That's it," said Russell Westbrook, who wears No. 0 for UCLA. "You go with the zero when you've been through something and you are looking to get a new beginning. It helps you get going again. It helps you get the swag back."

I know that wearing this number gives the illusion of standing out, being different, whatever. But when you're even jacking Gilbert's slang...I think it's time these guys start admitting who their zero hero really is.