I have to say, I’m impressed by LeBron James’ attitude and initiative in his current undertaking.  In the interest of full disclosure, I don’t follow the NBA very closely.  While most Americans could easily point out James in a lineup, I can’t go much further than to say that I know he plays for the Cleveland Cavaliers, came to the NBA straight out of high school, and that I saw him play slaughter the Indiana Pacers in the 2008-2009 season at Conseco Fieldhouse.

I suppose a guy with such a story could easily be though of as cocky and conceited, only looking out for number one.  It has come to my attention, however, that Mr. James has actually put out a petition to remove the honor of wearing the number 23 from all NBA players, including himself, in homage to the great Michael Jordan. 

Wow, what a statement.  Being a child of the 90′s, back when the NBA was more widely followed by the masses, we all wanted to be ‘Like Mike.’  Everyone’s favorite team was the Bulls, we all knew that Jordan was 6’6″, many had the ‘Wingspan’ poster that covered half a bedroom wall, and we all ate Wheaties and drank Gatorade in attempts to be as cool as the King of the Courts. 

It comes as no surprise to me then that many NBA pros of this generation still see Jordan as an icon, as the one who really set tone for the NBA in the 90′s and early aughts.  LeBron is quoted by the Chicago Sun-Times to have said, “There would be no LeBron James, no Kobe Bryant, no Dwyane Wade if there wasn’t Michael Jordan first.”  Well said, Mr. James. 

It turns out that many teams are currently without a number 23 as it is, so perhaps LeBron James will get his way in the near future.  He’s already requested his own jerseys be switched to 6, the number he dons for the Olympics. 

I’m very interested to see how this will play out.  Lofty goals are often hard to accomplish but if anyone has the chance to pull this off, I’d have to say a kid who had pro teams fighting for him before his 18th birthday has a pretty decent shot at it.