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Lebron James made an announcement over the weekend that he would be changing numbers yet again.
In a nod to the late Bill Russell, James stated his intention to stop wearing the No 6, which was the number that the great Boston Celtic wore throughout his amazing career.
“It’s LeBron’s decision,” said Rich Paul, James’ longtime friend and agent. “He chose to out of respect for Bill Russell.”
When Russell passed away last July at the age of 88, the NBA announced that it would be retiring the jersey No. 6 across the league. However, those players that were currently already wearing the number would be grandfathered in, and could keep wearing the number if they chose to do so.
It is the first time in NBA history that the league has ever honored a player in such a fashion.
If there was ever a player that deserved it, it would have to be Russell.
Russell was an 11-time champion in Boston, a five-time MVP and a 12-time All-Star. He then became the first Black head coach in league history, and won his last two rings as a player-coach for the Celtics.
Last season, James had hinted that a change could be coming. “For me to be able to wear No. 6 this season — I’m not sure if I’ll continue to do it, but right now I’m going to wear it in honor of him. It means a lot to me.” he said last summer.
This week the Daly Dose learned James is going to be changing yet again after the upcoming season.
First reported by the Daly Dose I-Team, following the 2023-2024 NBA season it seems that Lebron plans to stop wearing the No. 23 too.
“For me to be able to wear No. 23 this season — I’m not sure if I’ll continue to do it, but right now I’m going to wear it in honor of me. It means a lot to me.”
He continued “I mean, no matter if you play the game, watch the game or a part of the game. We all know what I have meant to the NBA, obviously to Cleveland, Miami and Los Angeles off the floor as well, as far as my heroism … and what I have meant to Black people, being able to speak about issues that are not comfortable. This just seems like a natural progression to me. Besides, it isn’t like anyone else of importance ever wore the No. 23.”