LeBron James wore uniform number 6 during his time with the Miami Heat. He changed from his familiar No. 23 when he joined Miami as a free agent in 2010.
The choice was partly practical and partly symbolic. The Heat had honored Michael Jordan by retiring No. 23, even though Jordan never played for Miami, so that number was unavailable. James therefore selected No. 6, a number he had also worn with USA Basketball. He used it throughout his four Miami seasons from 2010 to 2014.
No. 6 became closely associated with James's most successful period to that point. He won two NBA championships with Miami, in 2012 and 2013, and was Finals MVP both times. Fans sometimes answer 23 because James wore it during his first Cleveland stint, his return to Cleveland and much of his Lakers career. Miami-era photographs and championship jerseys, however, show him wearing No. 6.