James will wear the number 23 again.
Foto:
Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images
LeBron James recently confirmed that he will play with the Los Angeles Lakers for his 21st season in the NBA and this Saturday it was learned that it will change its number for the 2023-2024 campaign.
The 38-year-old forward will change from No. 6 to No. 23 in honor of Bill Russell, said Rich Paul, James’ former agent. Russell passed away this year and was one of the most captivating NBA legends in history with the Boston Celtics dynasty.
“It’s LeBron’s decision,” said Paul, James’ longtime friend and agent. “He chose to do it out of respect for Bill Russell.”
The NBA retired the league number 6 in Russell’s honor, being the first player to receive that distinction, similar to Jackie Robinson with the number 42 in the Major Leagues.
Despite the announcement, James kept his number 6 for the rest of the season due to a logistical problem with the sale of shirts. LeBron James led all jersey sales by NBA.Store.com in the second half of the season, according to an NBA statement.
“I mean, it doesn’t matter if you play the game, watch the game or a part of the game. We all know what Bill Russell meant to the NBA, obviously for the Celtics off the court as well, in terms of his heroism … and what it meant to African-Americans to be able to talk about issues that are not comfortable,” James said of Russell.
“For me to be able to wear the number 6 this season, I’m not sure if I’ll continue to do it, but now I’m going to use it in honor of him. It means a lot to me”.
LeBron James first wore the 6 with Team USA and wore it for 4 seasons with the Miami Heat due to the 23 being retired in honor of Michael Jordan.
On his return to Cleveland and in the first two seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers, LeBron used 23 from 2014 to 2021. and in his last three campaigns he used number 6.
In all, James has worn 23 in 13 of his 20 NBA seasons and that will become 14 of 21. when he dresses for the Lakers in the new season.
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2023-07-16 15:19:36
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