LeBron's Jersey Number

TTKS (and specifically this author) is under attack (just bustin' your chops Azar) because of the opinion that LeBron shouldn't wear 23 and shouldn't wear 6, either.

I thought I'd make a short case as to why I think this way. (There was a lively debate this weekend, if you'd like some background.)

Consider Derek Jeter for a moment. I'm not sure how much he knew about his potential legendary status when he came up through the Yankees organization, but I bet he thought he'd be pretty good. His selection for jersey numbers is relatively limited given the Yankees history. He certainly wasn't wearing #2 his whole life. (He wore #13 in high school.) So, for a variety of reasons (plausibly) he decided on #2. Similarly, when free agents joing the Yankees, they often have to change their number because 3 is Ruth's and 7 is Mantle's, for example.

In basketball, this issue presents itself most with Celtics or Lakers players who have limited options with all the numbers in the respective rafters. (Think Shaq having to adjust his numbers depending on the team he's on.)

Now, in these cases the jersey numbers aren't actually available, so the player is forced to choose something else. But in basketball, even though the #23 is only retired in a few organizations, there is a large and obvious cloud of assumptions and pressure that is associated with the #23 so even though the number is available (i.e. not retired) in most places, it comes with some strings attached. In other words, those numbers (23 specifically) that carry lasting associations with certain players may be better left in the proverbial rafters.

Obviously, LeBron (and any other player, global icon or otherwise) can choose whatever non-retired number they want. But for a guy like LeBron, who very clearly had and still has the most upside of any athlete or hoopster we have ever seen, and who will inevitably (barring injury) be considered among the greastest basketball players, if not the greatest, it behooves them to select a number that can be their own! A number that can long be associated with them, not their idol(s).

I understand that we are now at a point where the Russells and the Jordans and the Birds have influenced multiple generations of basketball players -- guys who want to pay tribute by sporting a particular jersey number. Yet, I think that for those select few once-in-a-generation players, it is in their best interest (in terms of legend and mystique) to choose a number that doesn't carry any heavy associations.

What was 23 before Jordan wore it?

What was 3 before Ruth wore it?

What was 2 before Jeter wore it?

Whatever it was we forgot it or nothing material ever existed.

To the extent that guys like LeBron recognize something special with these legendary numbers (and clearly, LBJ recognizes something in these numbers), then it is to his benefit to pave a new way. To establish himself apart from the 23s and the 6s or the 32s and the 33s.

So, I criticize LeBron for his choice of 23 and of his new choice of 6 because he has the power to make a new great number. When I say 'be your own guy' I am craving for him to be original with his number choice. There are plenty of numbers between 1 and 30 that don't have the names Jordan, Russell, Bird, Magic, etc immortally attached to them. Consider these legendary numbers as hanging in the proverbial rafters, and pick your own to add to the rafters. It's not like the world is teeming with LeBrons and Jordans. They are rare. And they ought to be remembered in part by their defining jersey number.

Forced or not, Jeter benefited by finding his own number.

LeBron would too.