- LeBron James said it was an honor for him to wear No. 23
- LeBron stated, though, that it should be retired across the U.S.
- James felt Michael Jordan had laid down the foundations for the players to come
LeBron James has worn No. 23 for much of his NBA career, but he once said the number should be retired in all 50 states in the U.S., in honor of Michael Jordan. Speaking ahead of the Roundball Classic in 2003 in the United Center, a young LeBron spoke about wearing the iconic number.
“It’s a very great honor,” LeBron said. “It should be retired in all 50 states of America. No one should be allowed to wear 23 but I don’t take it for granted wearing this number and he has laid down the stones for a lot of great basketball players and I’mma try to carry on the legacy.”
LeBron said Michael Jordan's #23 should be retired in all 50 states… pic.twitter.com/I6A0z2Ov5F
— BBallcore (@bballcore) August 28, 2023
When a player is as great as Jordan was, you can certainly make an argument for it. He is still widely regarded as the greatest ever, after winning six championships, six Finals MVPs, and five MVPs, and we can go on and on.
LeBron ultimately continued wearing that number for quite some time, and he has done a fine job of carrying on that legacy.
James wasn’t the only one to hold this belief that Jordan’s number shouldn’t be worn again. Chicago Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf felt it should be retired league-wide, as he said, “Anyone wearing a basketball uniform [with that number] would look like a pretender.”
LeBron James Once Wanted To Start A Petition To Stop Players From Wearing No. 23
LeBron’s feelings on this topic actually did not change upon entering the NBA. Back in 2009 when he was still with the Cleveland Cavaliers, LeBron stated he was going to start a petition to stop players from wearing the No. 23.
“I just think what Michael Jordan has done for the game has to be recognized some way soon,” LeBron said. “There would be no LeBron James, no Kobe Bryant, no Dwyane Wade if there wasn’t Michael Jordan first.”
At the time, LeBron felt the NBA had to do something to honor Jordan.
“He can’t get the logo, and if he can’t, something has to be done,” LeBron continued. “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.”
Since then, of course, the NBA announced the MVP would be awarded the Michael Jordan Trophy. They certainly had to find a way to honor Jordan, and renaming the trophy after him was a good move.
As for LeBron, he had worn No. 6 for the last two seasons, but James is switching back to No. 23 to honor Bill Russell. The Boston Celtics icon became the first NBA player to have his number retired league-wide after his passing in 2022.
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