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LeBron James is back to wearing No. 6 in practice, as Miami awaits his return

Kelly Dwyer
LeBron James is back to wearing No. 6 in practice, as Miami awaits his return

It should have been obvious to all of us. When LeBron James was interviewed on TNT following his Cavalier team’s win over the Miami Heat in 2009, he made a point to tell the national TV audience that he would be changing his number and sport a No. 6 the following season, in deference to Michael Jordan and the No. 23 that Jordan once wore, and that James currently sported.

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Of course, James joined the Heat some eight months later, and the fact that the Heat had already retired Jordan’s No. 23 in 2003 wasn’t lost on anyone as they looked back to the previous autumn.

LeBron changes his mind a lot, so when it came time for him to return to Cleveland in 2014 he switched right back to No. 23. Then, after a tough championship-less first year back with the Cavaliers, James returned to Cavs practice this month wearing …

… oh no.

James, a free agent in 2016, clearly hates Cleveland again. Can’t stand coach David Blatt. Is sick of Kevin Love’s shoes. He’s tired of covering for Kyrie Irving’s defense. Mo Williams is currently dating several members of his immediately family. Matthew Dellavedova, to LeBron, “looks like that one guy from ‘The Mindy Project’ and it weirds me out.” Richard Jefferson’s tattoo upsets him.

He’s wearing No. 6 again. He’ll be a member of the Heat by summertime.

Eh.

From ESPN’s Dave McMenamin:

James will be wearing his familiar No. 23 for the Cavs this season, the same number he has worn every season he's been in Cleveland, but he explained how he feels comfortable practicing while donning No. 6.

"It's just a number of mine," James said after the scrimmage. "One of my two numbers -- 6, 23. There's nothing to it. It's my practice jersey."

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At Northeast Ohio Media Group, James further explains His Process, crediting Deion Sanders:

“It's like Deion (Sanders) when he was at Florida State he wore like 2 in practice and when he went to the pros he wore 2 in practice but wore 21 on the playing field. It's like that."

Deion, who played for at least three of James’ number one favorite NFL teams growing up, was as versatile on the field (or diamond) as he was at practice, and James wants to emulate that aspect of his athletic game, while forcing the Cavs staff to do more laundry and add to the nation’s growing concern about available water. Also, it’s probably why the Cavaliers traded Earl Clark, wearer of No. 6, midway through 2013-14 in anticipation of LeBron’s return. On top of that, this is a clear indication that LeBron James has absolutely no respect for Michael Jordan’s career and accomplishments, in denying him the practice tribute.

Other than that, no big deal.

(I was serious about the Richard Jefferson thing, though.)

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Kelly Dwyer

is an editor for Ball Don't Lie on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at KDonhoops@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!