LeBron James will stop wearing number 6 for the Los Angeles Lakers, to return to his traditional number 23 next season out of respect to Boston Celtics legend Bill Russell who is considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time.
According to Rich Paul, friend and former agent of 'King James', "LeBron's decision was out of respect for Bill Russell".
LeBron was among the last players in the NBA to wear the number 6, after the league retired the number 6 in memory of Bill Russell, who died in the summer of 2022 at the age of 88.
This announcement resulted in no remaining inventory of the Lakers' No. 6 jersey, as the NBA's release caused all available production to sell out and even James' jersey led all jersey sales during the second half of the 22-23 season.
"For us to lose that icon was heartbreaking," LeBron said upon learning of Bill Russell's death before the start of last season. "It doesn't matter if you're playing, watching the game, or a part of the game. We all know what Bill Russell meant to the NBA, obviously to the Celtics off the court as well, in terms of his heroism...and what he meant to African-Americans for being able to talk about issues that are not comfortable." He spoke.
Los Angeles Lakers make it official
"For me to be able to wear number 6 this season, I'm not sure if I'll continue to do that, but I'm going to wear it now in honor of him. It means a lot to me.
The legend of Bill Russell and the numbers of LeBron James
Russell was an 11-time champion with the Celtics, won the league's MVP award five times, was a 12-time All-Star player and became the first African-American coach in NBA history, and won his last two championships as Boston's player-coach. As a result, he is considered the ultimate winner of the sport in the U.S., and the NBA Finals MVP trophy is named after him.
James wore No. 23 in high school and when he joined the NBA with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2003. When he joined the Miami Heat in 2010, he switched to No. 6, stating at the time of his decision that it was in honor of Michael Jordan.
He donned the number from 2018 to '21 with the team, then made the switch to No.6 for the 2021–22 and 2022–23 seasons. While wearing No. 23 with Los Angeles for three seasons, James helped the Lakers to an NBA title in 2020, and was named NBA Finals MVP that year.
A legendary Olympic athlete is only as good as the man or woman standing beside them, and LeBron James is no exception. James married his childhood sweetheart, Savannah Brinson, in a larger-than-life 2013 wedding attended by plenty of celebrities.
“It's LeBron's decision,” Klutch Sports Group CEO Rich Paul and James' longtime friend told ESPN's Dave McMenamin. “He chose to out of respect for Bill Russell.” LeBron James accepts the award for best record-breaking performance at the ESPY awards on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.
According to Rich Paul, friend and former agent of 'King James', "LeBron's decision was out of respect for Bill Russell". LeBron was among the last players in the NBA to wear the number 6, after the league retired the number 6 in memory of Bill Russell, who died in the summer of 2022 at the age of 88.
Both have worn the #23 and have had great careers with it. Jordan won 6 rings, 5 MVPs, 14 All-Stars and scored 32292 all-time points as #23.LeBron won 2 rings, 2 MVPS, 13 All-Stars and scored 27490 all-time points as #23.
6 will be grandfathered in, LeBron included. Meaning, they will be allowed to wear the number in the future, but new players, or players that want to switch numbers, won't be able to switch to No. 6.
33 was the number my father wore in high school, so I just switched it to carry on the lineage.” When Bryant jumped from Lower Merion High School to the professional ranks joining the Lakers, Bryant did not even have the opportunity to select number 33.
During his 20 year career, Kobe Bryant only played for the Los Angeles Lakers, after he was drafted by the team coming out of high school. He wore two jersey numbers during that span, No.8 and No. 24, curiously a decade with each.
Change of number was a symbol of growth for Kobe Bryant
After he retired from the NBA, he shared the meaning behind his decision to change numbers in the 2006-07 season. "Then 24 is a growth from (No. 8)," Bryant said. "Physical attributes aren't there the way they used to be, but the maturity level is greater.
LeBron James has been married just once, to high school sweetheart Savannah. Although he's become an elite NBA superstar and Hollywood power player in the years since they first got together, he's never forgotten how much Savannah's support meant to him early on.
LeBron James and his wife, Savannah James, have been together for more than two decades and celebrated huge milestones. The pair first met back in high school during the early '00s, before LeBron officially entered the NBA in 2003.
The King admitted that he's always been fascinated with the number 6, and that's because it provides much symbolism for him in relation to his family and himself. "Why I wear number six, there's multiple reasons. One, because twenty three is one of my favorite numbers as well so two times three is six," James said.
The Heat retired Jordan's No. 23 jersey in 2003 to honor his contributions to the game of basketball. Russell's No. 6 was retired across the NBA following his death on July 31, 2022.
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