Greatness desires to pay homage to greatness.
LeBron James wore the No. 23 in his two stints with the Cleveland Cavaliers — including his return to Cleveland to bring the franchise its first NBA Championship — and now with the Los Angeles.
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He won two of his four league titles in that number; however, no confirmation was made as to why James chose No. 23. James, 40, decided to detail the answer in Wednesday’s feature on the Pat McAfee Show.
He’s arguably the greatest to ever play the game, but James confirmed Michael Jordan was his inspiration.
“I do wear number 23 because of Michael Jordan..
I signed with Nike because I got a hell of a signing bonus and moved my mom outta the hood the day after I signed that contract..
I also wanted to wear Nike off the court” @KingJames #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/BNyQ8Lfhpu
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) March 26, 2025
“Yes, that is a fact,” James said about does he wear 23 because of Jordan.
Jordan won six NBA championship in rocking No. 23. He earned a three-peat with the Chicago Bulls from 1991-93, retired to pursue a career in baseball, and then returned to the league to three-peat again from 1996-98.
James gave Cavalier fans the ultimate celebration in 2016 wearing #23 and brought a banner to the Lakers in that number.
It is amazing how one of the staples in the NBA’s GOAT (greatest of all time) conversation credits Jordan as his inspiration.
Stephen M. Smith is a writer for Ball Exclusives. You can follow him him X via @CoachingMSmith.
