Lebron James will be have a new jersey number next year. The NBA superstar filed paperwork with the league officially making the change for the 2010-2011 season.

Lebron was quoted in an article in The Plain Dealer of Cleveland as saying “I’ve done it, I already sent it in. I’m going to be No. 6.”

The article further mentions that James’ motivation stems from honoring hall-of-fame basketball player and his personal idol, Michael Jordan. #6 is Lebron James USA Olympic Basketball jersey number as well as Lebron James Cavs practice jersey number. Other NBA hall of famers to have worn number six on their jerseys include Julius Erving with the Philadelphia 76ers, Patrick Ewing with the Orlando Magic, Bill Russell with the Boston Celtics, Neil Johnston with the Philadelphia 76ers, Buddy Jeannette with the Baltimore Bulletts, and Tom Gola with the New York Knicks.

This move seems eerily familiar to when Kobe Bryant switched his number from 8 to 24 back in 2006. In Kobe’s case 2×4=8, in Lebron’s 2×3=6. The biggest question that remains to be seen is will Lebron copy Kobe and resign with his current team, The Cleveland Cavaliers, when he is a free agent in the ‘10-’11 season? Will we see Lebron James #6 Cleveland Cavs jerseys flying off the racks or will it be a Lebron James New York Knicks jersey that sets records next year? Only time (and merchandise sales) will tell…

For those wondering what NBA players have worn #6 jerseys during their careers here is the definitive list of present and past “sixers”:

Tags: 2010-2011 NBA Season, Bill Russell, Buddy Jeannette, Cleveland Cavaliers, Julius Erving, Kobe Bryant, Lebron James, Lebron James #6, Lebron James #6 Jersey, Lebron James New York Knicks Jersey, Lebron James Number 6, Michael Jordan, NBA, Neil Johnston, Patrick Ewing, Tom Gola

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