As Yahoo! Sports’ Adrian Wojnarowski writes, the humbling homage LeBron James attempted to pay NBA great Michael Jordan late last year by shedding the number 23 looks to be less of a tribute and more of a savvy business move, though the Cleveland Plain Dealer and others still tout it as the former.  If anything, the act distances James from Jordan, leaving LeBron to share #6 with legends Bill Russell and Julius Irving.  Flaky logic, to say the very least.  The decision is likely more of an attempt to have his jersey sales take over the #1 spot from Kobe Bryant, to whom James has finished second for the last two seasons.

In other news, that James took the time to file paperwork with the NBA could be a tell that he isn’t 100% certain to switch teams this summer.  Michael Lee of the Washington Post tweets:

‘Surprised few focusing on real story w/LeBron changing #s from 23 to 6: If he plans to change teams, he wouldn’t have to make request w/NBA’

Of course, the deadline for the petition to switch numbers is this Friday the 5th, so it’s possible he’s sitting on the fence.  Still, if he plans to leave Cleveland, he can wear whatever number he desires, rendering the official paperwork unnecessary.  Hope remains for the Cavs to keep their star player…for now.

Image: BostonHeraldSports.com