Pistons: Notebook

Pistons agree on retiring '23'

Ted Kulfan / The Detroit News

Auburn Hills -- LeBron James plans to give up No. 23 next season and wants other players to stop wearing Michael Jordan's iconic number as well.

Maybe even have the number retired around the NBA.

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

After Thursday's game in Miami, James, who has worn No. 23 for Cleveland, said he's switching to No. 6 next season.

James would wear No. 6 to honor another of his legendary favorites -- Julius Erving. But also, James' son was born on Oct. 6, 2004, and his second son was born in June (the sixth month of the year).

James believes Jordan deserves recognition from the league beyond just the Hall of Fame, in which Jordan was enshrined recently.

"The guy is the best basketball player we've ever seen," James said. "If you see 23, you think of Michael Jordan. If you see guys flying through the air, you think of Michael Jordan.

"You can't get the logo. We can have an argument about that, but Jerry West, he was unbelievable also. And if you can't get the logo, something has to be done."

Jordan's accomplishments, Pistons coach John Kuester said, make him a candidate for such an honor.

"Everyone knows what Michael has meant to this game," Kuester said. "He's very special. What LeBron said about him, it's a great tribute."

Along with James, New York's Toney Douglass, New Orleans' Devin Brown, and Phoenix's Jason Richardson (Michigan State) are wearing No. 23.

Tough test

The Pistons already have faced former coach Flip Saunders once, during the exhibition season, so that part of the reunion won't be new.

So the intrigue of playing the Wizards will center on an opponent that's getting healthy.

The Wizards are expected to return Antawn Jamison and Mike Miller to a lineup that already has undergone numerous changes because of injuries.

"They have a talented team," Kuester said. "We have to control the pace of the game and make sure we do a good job of rebounding."

Slam dunks

Kuester said Richard Hamilton (sprained right ankle) will not play this weekend.

... Will Bynum 's dunks against Charlotte were still a topic of discussion at practice. What impressed Kuester, though, was the more dynamic of Bynum's two dunks, which came with Gerald Wallace and Tyson Chandler guarding him.

"Two of the better defenders in the game," Kuester said. "That was some move."

... The Pistons have launched a live game companion on pistons.com designed to enhance the viewing experience for fans. The venture is in conjunction with the NBA.

ted.kulfan@detnews.com (313) 223-4606