The Denver Nuggets have been well-represented at this 12 months’s Basketball Corridor of Fame induction, with former star Carmelo Anthony being enshrined. Even so, many Nuggets followers are ambivalent at finest over the honour bestowed on among the best 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 assist, bringing extra consideration to a possible jersey retirement.
It is honest to marvel if it will definitely will, however it’s not a query that’s more likely 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 manner out.
The Denver Nuggets and Carmelo Anthony have dangerous 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 loads for him, together with a choose swap that changed into Jamal Murray.
Nonetheless, there are in all probability harm emotions on each side. Anthony doubtless feels snubbed and even forgotten after main the Nuggets to eight straight playoff appearances and a visit to the Western Convention Finals.
However, the Nuggets should still be upset concerning 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 would not appear 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. Nevertheless, when he was drafted, he was only a chubby 7’0″ second-round choice, making the gesture of giving him Anthony’s jersey appear to be an insult.
The Nuggets could retire Carmelo Anthony’s jersey ultimately
Jokic turning right into a famous person complicates the Nuggets’ capability to retire Anthony’s jersey. In spite of everything, it is arduous to retire a jersey when a participant will doubtless proceed to put on mentioned jersey quantity for the following half a decade.
Extra doubtless, 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 potential jersey retirement not taking place till at the 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 manner 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 ultimately do the identical.
