spundge.com [/caption]LeBron James announced on Instagram Sunday that he would return to wearing the No. 23 jersey number with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Many thought it was hypocritical of James, since four years ago (when he changed his jersey number to 6) he said that Jordan's No. 23 should be retired from the whole NBA. MJ doesn't mind, though.
Jordan says he's fine with James wearing the jersey number, and that he doesn't "own" it.
"I'm cool with it,'' Jordan told ESPN.com via text message Monday morning. "I don't own a number.''
This was James' exact quote back in November of 2009:
"I just think what Michael Jordan has done for the game has to be recognized some way soon. There would be no LeBron James, no Kobe Bryant, no Dwyane Wade if there wasn't Michael Jordan first.
"He 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.''
James has been wearing No. 23 since his sophomore year of high school in honor of MJ, since he's his favorite player.
Times have changed, though, since 2009...
https://twitter.com/KingJames/statuses/493440487957622786
