LeBron James switches from #6 to #23 for the Lakers
- tjrose10
- Jul 19, 2023
- 3 min read
Lakers superstar LeBron James will change his uniform number from six to #23 starting next season. Agent Rich Paul says “It’s LeBron’s decision,” Rich Paul of Klutch Sports Group told ESPN. “He chose to out of respect for Bill Russell.” The National Basketball Association retired #6 league wide last August.
LeBron James History of #23
Since his playing days as a Cleveland Cavaliers, LeBron James has worn the number 23. This includes the first three years he played for the Los Angeles Lakers. James reverted back to wearing number six on his jersey after gifting his new teammate Anthony Davis the #23. The two even made a social media post to show the world their commitment to each other. Davis had previously worn the number 23 in his eight years with the New Orleans Pelicans. The gesture was seen as a sign of respect and friendship between the two star players.
Unfortunately Nike did not approve of the idea and forced them to continue wearing the jersey numbers. Davis wore 3 and James wore 23 for the remainder of the season. According to ESPN the Los Angeles Lakers missed the league's March 15th deadline to submit an updated number request. The NBA was going to waive it for James but Nike vetoed it due to potential financial losses on existing jersey sales. Nike's decision meant that James had to keep wearing the number 23 for the rest of the 2020-21 season.
Cleveland Ohio native Lebron James came into the league wearing 23. James molded some of his game after the goat Michael Jordan, who also wore the number 23. Like Jordan, James has had arguably one of the best NBA careers wearing 23. But that is up for debate, right? Jordan and James both have won multiple championships but James has had the added difficulty of having to switch teams and cities in order to win more championships. Jordan, on the other hand, won all his championships with the same organization that drafted him wearing 23.
James has won four rings and made it to 10 NBA Finals. He won two titles wearing number 23, one in Cleveland and one in Los Angeles. Michael Jordan won six rings in six NBA Finals appearances, all with the Chicago Bulls wearing number 23.
It's difficult to say who had the best career, but at the end of the day. LeBron James is still playing and Michael Jordan is retired. The 38 year old LeBron James questioned his career at the end of last season but cleared it up at the ESPYs.
James History of #6
The 2021-22 season marked the return of King James wearing number six again, a number he hadn't worn since his playing days with the Miami Heat.
It was widely believed that James would wear number six for the remainder of his career but with the passing of the late legend Bill Russell. In light of this, he changed back to his original number 23.
Nobody knows how long the King will reign and his performance hasn't declined yet. In 2023, he became the NBA's all-time leading scorer, breaking the Kareem Abdul Jabbar record of 38,387 while wearing the number six.
Entering year 21 in his career, James is as determined as ever to return to the NBA Finals after falling short last season in the Western Conference Finals to the Denver Nuggets in four games.
LeBron James reign wearing six will never be forgotten. Winning back-to-back NBA Championships with the Miami Heat in 2011-12 and 2012-13. Playing in Miami taught LeBron how to win championships. He was able to bring that knowledge back to the Cleveland Cavaliers, where he led them to the 2016 championship. After bouncing back from a 3-1 series deficit against arguably the best team in NBA history, the 73-9 Golden State Warriors. Among one of his greatest accomplishments.
Now James has the opportunity to lead the Lakers to their 18th NBA championship wearing 23. Possibly the number he will wear throughout the remainder of his career.
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