The Denver Nuggets have been well-represented at this yr’s Basketball Corridor of Fame induction, with former star Carmelo Anthony being enshrined. Even so, many Nuggets followers are ambivalent at finest over the consideration bestowed on probably the greatest gamers in franchise historical past.
Nonetheless, after Anthony’s Corridor of Fame induction, it raises questions on whether or not the Nuggets ought to lastly retire his jersey. Former Nuggets Chauncey Billups, in addition to Kiki Vandeweghe, has voiced their help, bringing extra consideration to a possible jersey retirement.
It is truthful to surprise if it will definitely will, nevertheless it’s not a query that’s prone to get answered for some time. Anthony, regardless of spending the primary 9 years of his Corridor of Fame profession in Denver, burned bridges on his approach out.
The Denver Nuggets and Carmelo Anthony have unhealthy blood
Whereas Anthony technically did not demand a commerce again in 2011, his declining to signal an extension earlier than the beginning of that season made clear that he wasn’t returning. The Nuggets received lots for him, together with a choose swap that was Jamal Murray.
Nonetheless, there are most likely damage emotions on either side. Anthony possible feels snubbed and even forgotten after main the Nuggets to eight straight playoff appearances and a visit to the Western Convention Finals.
Then again, the Nuggets should be upset in regards to the media circus that led as much as him being traded.
There was even some query as to whether or not they gave Nikola Jokic Anthony’s quantity 15 jersey out of spite. It does not seem to be almost as a lot of a snub because it as soon as did again then since Jokic has emerged as an all-time participant. Nonetheless, when he was drafted, he was only a chubby 7’0″ second-round choice, making the gesture of giving him Anthony’s jersey seem to be an insult.
The Nuggets might retire Carmelo Anthony’s jersey finally
Jokic turning right into a celebrity complicates the Nuggets’ skill to retire Anthony’s jersey. In any case, it is arduous to retire a jersey when a participant will possible proceed to put on mentioned jersey quantity for the subsequent half a decade.
Extra possible, the Nuggets wait till after Jokic retires after which retire Anthony’s with extra time having handed, adopted by Jokic’s jersey. That may give the Nuggets and Anthony extra time to make good, with a attainable jersey retirement not taking place till at the very least 20 years after he was first traded.
Time heals all, and Anthony’s exit wasn’t almost as ugly as Kawhi Leonard forcing his approach off the San Antonio Spurs or Dwight Howard leaving the Orlando Magic. Talking of Howard and the Magic, Howard was additionally simply inducted and has already had his jersey retired by Orlando, giving Anthony hope that the Nuggets might finally do the identical.
