LYNNE SLADKY / Associated Press
The Cavs' LeBron James is campaigning to retire the number 23 in the NBA.
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Sixers Notes: James wants '23' retired to honor Jordan
76ers Notes
LeBron James is switching numbers.
The Cleveland Cavaliers superstar has announced - tipping his cap to Michael Jordan - that he will switch from No. 23 to No. 6 at the start of next season.
"I feel like no NBA player should wear 23," James told TNT. "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' declaration affects 76ers point guard Lou Williams, who wears No. 23.
Williams, talking before last night's game against the Utah Jazz at the Wachovia Center, said he does not wear No. 23 because of Jordan, but would be willing to change his number out of respect for the famed Chicago Bulls guard.
"If he's on this mission to get guys to stop wearing No. 23 to pay homage to Michael Jordan, then I'm all for that," Williams said. "I'm not going to change my number because LeBron said to change my number, but I will because of the message he's sending."
Williams said he has been "bargain-hunting" in the Sixers' locker room for a replacement number.
"I wanted the number 45, because that was the number I was picked in the draft, but that would lead to Michael Jordan, too," he said.
Jordan wore No. 45 when he returned from retirement in 1995.
Utah's Williams a no-go
Deron Williams, Utah's starting point guard, was not with his team last night due to personal reasons. Williams is averaging 20.4 points and 9.9 assists a game. Williams, who lately got himself into trouble with Twitter by saying changes were needed, told the Salt Lake Tribune: "It's not the end of the world. I didn't mean to tweet like it was the end of the world. Just, we've got to do something. I know the fans watching, I know the fans sitting at home, they're not happy with us right now. I'm not happy with us, either."
No stopping Young
Sixers forward Thaddeus Young missed Thursday's practice with a left shoulder/neck muscle spasm, but started last night. He had been listed as a game-time decision.
Korver out
Former Sixers guard-forward Kyle Korver has yet to play a game this season. He underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee on Oct. 23.
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