Is LeBron James' move to go from No. 23 to No. 6 more about Michael Jordan? Or himself?

This is something that actually should have been done a long, long time ago.

Following the Cavs’ win on Thursday night at Miami, LeBron James told TNT’s Craig Sager that he wanted to honor Michael Jordan, who was in attendance at South Beach that night, by giving up the No. 23 for his Olympic No. 6.

James said that nobody should be allowed to wear No. 23 in honor of Jordan and that the league should retire it across the NBA, similar to how the NHL has retired Wayne Gretzky’s No. 99.

But is LeBron really doing it now — this late in his career — for Jordan? Just out of the blue, only because he happened to be in attendance for a regular season game in November?

To be honest, LB should have never even entered the league with No. 23. That number is known universally as Jordan’s number. It will never be “LeBron’s number.” And although Dr. J wore the 6, it’s not as synonymous with him as 23 is with Jordan. The No. 6 would have afforded LeBron some individuality.

But the true motive behind this could be “Business LeBron” trying to continue playing everyone for a fool. Just as he has completely stupified the media into obsessing over his free agency, James could skyrocket his jersey sales with a change to No. 6.

Sure, the more enticing story for most people would be which team’s jersey would that No. 6 be on? Would it be a Cavs No. 6? Or is he already planning a move to Chicago, knowing full well he can’t wear No. 23? Or a Knicks No. 6 so that Toney Douglas can keep No. 23?

Maybe the new No. 6 can be in honor of the number of years he can re-sign for with the Cavs: Six years, $126 million.

When Kobe Bryant decided to change from No. 8 to No. 24, it took his jersey sales to another level. For Kobe, the No. 8 had become synonymous with a controversial rape trial, media scrutiny over the “divorce” with Shaq, and the Lakers’ fall from grace from a three-time champion to a lottery team under his watch.

For James, a change from 23 to 6 may symbolize a change in his career, as well. It could symbolize a commitment to spend the prime of his career with whichever team he signs with this summer, most likely the Cavaliers. And if it is the Cavs, he still will find a way to jack up his endorsement earnings with the sales for the new Cavs No. 6.

But in the end, this has far less to do with Jordan than you think. Honoring MJ is just a part of it — albeit a very, very small part. However, in the end, this switch is all about him:

“[Jordan] can’t get the logo, and if he can’t, something has to be done. I feel like no NBA player should wear 23. I’m starting a petition, and I’ve got to get everyone in the NBA to sign it. Now, if I’m not going to wear No. 23, then nobody else should be able to wear it.”

Seriously? “If I’m not going to wear No. 23, then nobody else should be able to wear it?” I thought this was about Jordan?

Look, as a huge Cleveland sports fan, LeBron has to be something around which your life as a sports fan revolves around these days. But if he wants to change to No. 6, then don’t pin Jordan’s name on it and claim that it’s all about honoring him. I’m sure that plays a part, but this is far more about him getting in the news for reasons other than free agency.

And after checking the headlines on Friday morning, he’s certainly getting his wish.

Tagged as: Cleveland Cavaliers, LeBron James, Michael Jordan