Taking a page out of the Bean Bryant (that’s Kobe) playbook, The King has filed the paperwork to change from #23 to #6 starting in the 2010-11 season.

Whereas Kobe’s motivation was to basically to start a new era after his “case” (I love the 1 better than Jordan or the Jack Bauer conspiracies on Kobe by the way), Lebron’s motivation to me seems clearer.

Everyone wants to be Michael Jordan, but at some point you want to ride in your own lane and his decision on where to play next season is basically saying he is ready to take it to another level and get from behind that shadow.

Here is what the Cleveland Plain Dealer had to say:

James told The Plain Dealer on Monday that he’s filed the paperwork with the NBA office to switch his jersey number from No. 23 to No. 6 next season. He had to make the decision this week, the deadline to make the request to the NBA is Wednesday.

James first brought up the idea in November, saying he wanted to give up No. 23 out of respect to his hero, Michael Jordan. At that time he said he was “50/50″ on switching to No. 6, his Olympic number and the day of the month his first son was born. That now seems to be 100 percent.

“I’ve done it,” James said. “I already sent it in. I’m going to be No. 6.”

Somewhere Dr. J is saying:

“Wait….What!!”

Of course there will be a big fiancial windfall for the NBA.  No matter where Lebron ends up his “new” jersey we be a #1 seller.

On the flip side 87% of the people reading this article right now with a Lebron jersey are scrambling to get to EBAY.