Pistons' Kwame Brown agrees with LeBron: Retire Jordan's 23

Ted Kulfan / The Detroit News

Auburn Hills -- Some Pistons agree with LeBron James -- that NBA players should give up wearing jersey No. 23 to honor Michael Jordan.

"Michael has done some incredible things for this league," Piston Kwame Brown said. "I'm all for it. That would be something out of respect for Michael and what he's done."

James, the Cavaliers superstar, has worn No. 23 since he was a high school sophomore. On Thursday night he said the NBA should retire Jordan's number.

"I just think what Michael Jordan has done for the game has to be recognized in some way -- soon," James told reporters in Cleveland. "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."

No current Piston wears No. 23. It has been worn by 12 players in Pistons history, first by Walter Dukes from 1957-63, and most recently by Cedric Ceballos in 2000-01.

Jordan sat courtside Thursday when James scored 34 points to lead the Cavs over Miami. 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.

"It's time," James said. "(Jordan) is the best basketball player we've ever seen."

Associated Press contributed