King James wants '23' retired

"I just think what Michael Jordan has done for the game has to be recognized in some way - soon," James said. "There would be no LeBron James, no Kobe Bryant, no Dwyane Wade, you name all the best players in the league right now and the last 10 years, there would be none of us without Michael Jordan."

James made the comments following the Cavs' win in Miami Thursday night, which Jordan watched from courtside. The news was first reported by Cleveland's Plain Dealer.

James said he has been considering the change for some time. He's willing to switch to No. 6 - his U.S. Olympic team number - and wants to start a petition to get every player in the league wearing 23 to give up the number.

"He can't get the logo, and if he can't, something has to be done," James said, referring to the NBA logo that is modeled on a silhouette of Lakers' great Jerry West. "I feel like no NBA player should wear 23. Nobody. If I'm not going to wear No. 23, then nobody else should be able to wear it."

James must formally notify the NBA by early March if he plans to change numbers. He has not done so yet. Players generally must wear a number 5 years before they can apply to switch.

The reigning MVP frequently wears No. 6 as a practice jersey with the Cavaliers. He wears that number because his second-favorite player is Julius Erving.

"I wore 32 back in high school because Doctor J wore it at first," he said. "My first child was born on Oct. 6, my second child was born in June. If I'm not going to wear 23, I'm going to wear 6."

Noteworthy

 

* Dallas forward Josh Howard is out indefinitely as he continues his recovery from surgery on his left ankle. Howard had ankle and wrist surgery in May and returned last Saturday to play three games.

In games last night:

 

* At Boston, Joe Johnson scored 24 points, Jamal Crawford had 18 and the Atlanta Hawks pulled away in the fourth quarter for a 97-86 win over the Celtics. Josh Smith scored 14 and Al Horford had 12 points and 13 rebounds.

Paul Pierce led the Celtics with 24 points despite bruising his left knee early in the third quarter. Kevin Garnett and Kendrick Perkins scored 14 points each.

* At New Orleans, LaMarcus Aldridge had 20 points and 13 rebounds, helping the Portland Trail Blazers to an 86-78 victory over the Hornets, who lost Chris Paul to a sprained ankle while trying to adjust to new coach Jeff Bower.

Brandon Roy scored 15 points for the Blazers, who won their fifth straight game.

* At Orlando, Dwight Howard had 26 points and 12 rebounds and Matt Barnes added 13 points and 13 rebounds as the Magic put away the 0-9 New Jersey Nets, 88-72.

* At New York, Stephen Jackson scored 23 points and the Golden State Warriors sent the Knicks to the worst 10-game start in franchise history (1-9) with a 121-107 victory.

* At Minneapolis, Dirk Nowitzki scored 15 of his 20 points in the third quarter and also grabbed 11 rebounds to lead the Dallas Mavericks to a 89-77 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves.