“LeBron Didn’t Just Wear 23 — He Redefined It”: Adam Silver Says the Number Will Retire With the King

A Number Redefined

“LeBron didn’t just wear 23—he redefined it. When he walks away, the number walks with him.”
— NBA Commissioner Adam Silver (as reported by El Chiringuito)

The NBA is reportedly considering an unprecedented tribute: retiring the iconic jersey number 23 across the entire league when LeBron James hangs up his sneakers for good. If this happens, no player would ever wear the number again—a number made legendary by Michael Jordan and later carried by stars like Draymond Green and Anthony Davis (at Kentucky), but forever immortalized by LeBron James.

This would be a powerful farewell—a royal tribute to one of the greatest players the NBA has ever seen.

The Origins: Why LeBron Chose No. 23

The answer is simple: Michael Jordan.

From his earliest days at St. Vincent–St. Mary High School in Akron, LeBron James wore number 23 as a tribute to his idol. Jordan’s legacy loomed large for LeBron, who once told ESPN:

“If you see 23, you think about Michael Jordan. You see game-winning shots, you think about Michael Jordan; you see guys fly through the air, you think about Michael Jordan; you see fly kicks, you think about Michael Jordan.
He did so much, it has to be recognized, and not just by putting him in the Hall of Fame.”

Wearing 23 was LeBron’s way of honoring the GOAT, and it became a symbol of his own ambition and respect for the game’s history.

The Switch: Why LeBron Wore No. 6

In 2010, LeBron made headlines by joining the Miami Heat. There, he couldn’t wear 23—the Heat had retired the number in honor of Michael Jordan, even though Jordan never played for Miami.

LeBron chose number 6, a choice filled with personal meaning:
– He wore 6 while playing for Team USA.
– His first son, Bronny, was born on October 6.
– His own birthday is December 30 (2+3+0+1=6).
– He admired Julius Erving, who wore 6.

This chapter of his career was highly successful—LeBron won two NBA championships (2012, 2013) with the Heat, further cementing the number’s place in his legacy.

Homecoming: The Return to 23

After four seasons in Miami, LeBron returned to the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2014 and reclaimed number 23. This homecoming was deeply symbolic—a return to his roots and a reconnection with Ohio.

His second stint in Cleveland became the stuff of legend. In 2016, LeBron led the Cavaliers to their first-ever NBA Championship, overcoming a 3–1 deficit against the record-setting Golden State Warriors. It was a historic victory for the city and for LeBron’s legacy in the number 23 jersey.

The Lakers Era: From 23 to 6 and Back Again

LeBron joined the Los Angeles Lakers in 2018, continuing to wear 23. In 2021, he switched back to number 6, citing personal reasons and a delayed jersey swap with teammate Anthony Davis (who wore 23 in New Orleans).

But after NBA legend Bill Russell passed away in 2022, the league retired number 6 across all teams to honor Russell’s impact. LeBron, the last active player permitted to wear 6, returned to number 23 for the 2023–24 season. According to his agent, Rich Paul, LeBron did so “out of respect for Bill Russell.”

The Meaning Behind the Numbers

For LeBron James, jersey numbers are more than just identifiers—they’re chapters in a living legacy:
– Number 23: A tribute to Michael Jordan, a badge of ambition, and a symbol of excellence and homecoming.
– Number 6: A nod to personal milestones, international triumph, and transformation.

Both numbers reflect different sides of LeBron’s journey, but 23 will forever be most closely associated with his greatness.

The Ultimate Tribute: Retiring No. 23

The prospect of retiring number 23 league-wide is a testament to LeBron’s impact. It would be more than a farewell—it would be a recognition that, through LeBron, 23 became more than a number. It became a legacy, a standard, and a symbol of greatness for generations.

If the NBA goes through with this move, it would be a royal tribute to a player who didn’t just wear 23—he redefined it. And when LeBron finally walks away, the number may walk with him, never to be worn again.

Legacy is more than what you achieve; it’s what you inspire. For LeBron James, the story of 23 is still being written—but its place in basketball history is already secure.