LeBron James Discusses The Need For The League To Retire Number 23.

 LeBron James, then 25 years old, suggested in 2009 that the NBA retire all 23-number jerseys in honor of Michael Jordan. He felt that the NBA should honor what Michael Jordan accomplished for the sport and for setting the path for future greats like Dwyane Wade, Kobe Bryant, and himself.

James remarked, "And if he can't, something has to be done. I feel like no NBA player should wear 23. I'm starting a petition, and I've got to get everyone in the NBA to sign it. Now, if I'm not going to wear No. 23, then nobody else should be able to wear it."

LeBron played for the Cleveland Cavaliers back then, wearing number 23. Since he was a sophomore in high school, 23 has been his number. He obviously wore it because he was a huge fan of Michael Jordan. James backed up his idea by declaring that, following the 2010 season, he would be moving from 23 to 6.

"My second-favorite player was Julius Erving, and he wore No. 6," he stated, according to ESPN. "I wore 32 in high school because Dr. J wore it at first. My first child was born on Oct. 6, it's my Olympic number, my second child was born in June."

In addition to Bryce's June birth, Bronny was born on October 6. LeBron switched from his original Olympic number of 9 to 6 when playing for the Redeem Team. LeBron indeed donned a different uniform when he departed Cleveland for Miami the next season, but he still wore 6.

LeBron's idea did not materialize, maybe due to his preoccupation with relocating to South Beach. However, he had to switch from wearing number 23 to number 6 when he arrived in Miami, as the Heat, along with the Chicago Bulls, retired number 23 in memory of Michael Jackson. Throughout his four years in Miami, James wore a size 6.

When James came back to Cleveland and played for the Lakers for his first three seasons, he went back to 23. In 2022, LBJ returned to wearing No. 6, which he had previously worn before Russell's passing. This was permitted even after the NBA retired the number in remembrance of Bill Russell.

James declared last year that he would wear No. 23 once more for the upcoming season, over a decade after he first suggested no one would wear the number. You can't blame him, though, because in the NBA, change is the only constant. Who knows what else LeBron will be going through this summer?