LeBron James Gives Away Old Number To Anthony Davis, Hints At Once Again Wearing Number Six

Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Draymond Green, Ron Artest, Marcus Camby, and Anthony Davis all headline as just a few impressive names forming a fraternity of players who’ve proudly worn basketball’s most iconic number, #23, during their NBA careers. Stemming from Jordan’s transcendent years hooping with #23 stitched below his last name, the number continues to inspire today’s stars, most notably James, who famously chose to wear #23 once joining the NBA as an attempt to mirror Jordan, who James idolized during his basketball upbringings. Players besides James such as Kobe Bryant illustrated the number’s importance as well after he paid tribute to Jordan’s digits, eventually choosing to wear #24 in an attempt to proclaim himself the as “next” Jordan.

Now with a trade agreement from the Los Angeles Lakers and New Orleans Pelicans allying two Jordan mimics as teammates, a decision forcing one player to relinquish the famous number needed to be made. Making that decision was James, as sources recently confirmed the King plans to gift his old number to Davis, allowing the new Lakers big man to retain the number he initially wore during his career’s first seven years.

James stands as no stranger to switching around his number however, as he choose to wear number six during his four year tenure playing for the Miami Heat. With James now departing the “23 Club,” number six appears as his likely numerical replacement for the upcoming season. After the news broke, James teased NBA fans when he hinted at rebranding himself with the number six both on Twitter and Instagram Thursday night. Continuing to open the flood gates for even more “LeBron James nostalgia,” James again took to social media to express his intentions to resuscitate another career trademark, his pre–game chalk toss, which he began during his first stint as a Cavalier but apparently later retired it after the 2014–15 season.

While wearing number six, James averaged 26.9 points per game, and also won two MVPs and two NBA titles. With 23 on his jersey,  James also acquired two MVPs, brought home the monumental Cleveland title, and achieved a slightly superior scoring average with 27.2 points per game.

With less iconic players to recently wear number six for the Lakers such as Jordan Clarkson and Lance Stephenson, far less intimidating shoes to fill in lie before James. On the contrary, as Davis’s teammate, he leaves a tough act for the new Laker to follow, as despite missing the playoffs James averaged an impressive 27.4 points, 8.3 assists, and 8.5 rebounds per game.

Article by Collin Helwig