LeBron James Returns To Sacred Number To Respect Basketball Legend Bill Russel

Los Angeles Lakers player, LeBron James. (Photo: Twitter/@LA Lakers)

JAKARTA - Los Angeles Lakers player LeBron James left the number 6 he wore in the NBA last season. In the 2023/2024 season, the basketball star from the United States returned to wearing a sacred number, 23.

The player's decision, who is familiarly called King James, was not without reason. According to the agent, Rich Paul, his client used number 23 to honor the legend of the Boston Celtics Bill Russel, who died last year.

Please note, the NBA decided to retire number 6 widely following Russel's death on July 31, 2022. During his lifetime, Russel won five NBA MVP titles and was elected to the NBA All Star squad 12 times.

Social media accounts from LA Lakers also uploaded a photo of LeBron James wearing a gold Lakers uniform number 23 and James' name on his back.

LeBron James first entered his NBA career wearing number 23 while still defending the Cleveland Cavaliers. But James also often changed to number 6 while defending Miami Heat.

At the LA Lakers, James also wore number 23. He wore number 6 when breaking the record as the NBA basketball player who scored the most in basketball history during his 20-year career in the NBA.

Some time ago, LeBron James has also announced that he decided to return to play in the NBA with LA Lakers which is his 21st season during his NBA career.

Despite his last season playing in the NBA he lost in the western region final to Denver Nuggets, the 38-year-old still has the sharpness of scoring. In fact, it is not uncommon for James to be the backbone of the LA Lakers in several matches.