There are a lot of pissed off Cleveland Cavaliers fans out there. And all that animosity is directed toward reigning NBA MVP LeBron James.
No, it’s not the LeBron-to-Los Angeles rumors or the red carpet awaiting him in New York. It’s the fact that Cavs fans might have to shell out another $50-plus for a James jersey next year – depending on if the All-Star sticks around.
The Chosen One told TNT Thursday that he is switching his jersey number from 23 to 6 at the end of this year in honor of Michael Jordan and all the Hall of Famer has done for the game of basketball.
"He can't get the logo [Hall of Famer Jerry West's silhouette adorns the NBA's logo], and if he can't, something has to be done. I feel like no NBA player should wear 23. I'm starting a petition, and I've got to get everyone in the NBA to sign it. Now, if I'm not going to wear No. 23, then nobody else should be able to wear it."
According to ESPN, there are currently 12 other players sporting 23 on their backs this season. Some notables included Marcus Camby, Jason Richardson and Kevin Martin.
We’ve seen players make the jersey jump in recent years including Kobe Bryant, who went from No. 8 to No. 24, which was his high school jersey number.
Even MJ did the switch when he came out of retirement the first time, wearing No. 45 instead so that his father, who was murdered the following offseason would have seen his son’s last game in the No. 23 Bulls jersey. Jordan eventually switched back to his famous number in the playoffs and wore it until he finally retired as a Washington Wizard in 2003.
When Bryant made the switch to No. 24, his jersey jumped past LeBron and Dwyane Wade in terms of the best selling NBA jerseys. Which leaves some to wonder, how much of this change in digits is a true statement or a cunning ploy (whether it be by the player or league) to bring in more cash?
I guess we’ll see in a few years. James says choosing No. 6 is a tribute to his second-favorite player, Julius Erving. Perhaps when those No. 6 jerseys get a little long in the tooth, LeBron will switch it up again – you know, to honor Dr. J.
Betjamaica.com currently has the Cavaliers set at +175 to win the Eastern Conference title.