Cleavland Cavalier all-star forward LeBron James has decided to give up his current number 23 and instead go with the number 6 out of respect of of former Chicago Bulls and Washington Wizards guard Michael Jordan.

From Brian Windhorst of the Cleveland Plain Dealer:

James wants to lead a movement to get every player who wears No. 23 in the league to give it up as a tribute to Jordan.

“I just think what Michael Jordan has done for the game has to be recognized some way soon,” James said. “There would be no LeBron James, no Kobe Bryant, no Dwyane Wade if there wasn’t Michael Jordan first.”

“He can’t get the logo, 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.“

So if LeBron James decides not to wear a number, nobody should wear that number?  I guess this is what happens when you are incapable of winning a championship. You have to resort to spearheading a movement to honor a former player of one of your team’s biggest rivals.

The game winning jumper Michael Jordan made over the Craig Ehlo in game five in the first round of the 1989 NBA playoffs is somewhat legendary.  It even has it’s own Wikipedia entry.  LeBron James now wants to honor the player that 20 years ago killed his team’s championship hopes?  Classy.

Contrary to what LeBron James might think, there was an NBA before Michael Jordan. To think players like Kobe Bryant or Dwyane Wade wouldn’t have a league to ply their craft in if it wasn’t for Michael Jordan is just silly.

And Michael Jordan has a logo, it’s just not on NBA uniforms. He has his own line of clothing with a logo of himself spread out with a ball in his hand. I guess LeBron James is referring to the fact that the NBA logo features the likeness of Jerry West, not Michael Jordan. Does he have a problem with Jerry West being the logo?

I would say that LeBron James is shafting his fans by making them go out and buy another jersey with his name on it.  He’s not making the number switch till next season and we all know that LeBron James will probably be wearing a New York Knicks next year anyway.