Nuggets Assigned Nikola Jokić No. 15 to “Erase My Denver Legacy,” Says Carmelo Anthony

Carmelo Anthony and nuggets

Notable athletes like Patrick Mahomes, Vince Carter, Dustin Pedroia, and Tim Tebow have all left their mark while donning the No. 15 jersey. However, for the Denver Nuggets, the question of who is most closely associated with this number is not as straightforward, with both Carmelo Anthony and Nikola Jokić having made significant contributions.

Carmelo Anthony, the first superstar to popularize No. 15 in the Mile High City, recently discussed on his “7 PM in Brooklyn” podcast the reason he believes the Nuggets handed Jokić his old jersey number. According to Anthony, the decision was more than just a matter of available choices; it was a deliberate and, in his view, petty maneuver by the team.

Carmelo Anthony

“It wasn’t like, ‘Oh, we got numbers to choose from.’ It was like, ‘Here, you got 15,'” Anthony shared with co-host The Kid Mero.

Drafted by the Denver Nuggets as the No. 3 overall pick in the 2003 draft, Anthony played a pivotal role in transforming the team into a playoff contender. Over his seven full seasons with the Nuggets, they consistently reached the playoffs, including a memorable run to the 2009 Western Conference finals. Anthony earned All-Star honors four times during this period, contributing to the team’s cultural impact with signature sneakers and distinctive powder blue jerseys.

Denver Nuggets

On the other hand, Nikola Jokić, a two-time MVP and reigning Finals MVP, has recently left an indelible mark on the Nuggets. Winning the franchise’s first championship last year, the Serbian star has become a dominant force in the league since being picked up by the Nuggets in the second round of the 2014 NBA draft.

Anthony pointed out that the trade of center Jusuf Nurkic in 2017 allowed Jokić to shine as a star player for the Nuggets. Meanwhile, Anthony had moved on to the New York Knicks, starting a new chapter wearing No. 7 after being traded to the Big Apple in 2011.

For Anthony, the decision to give Jokić his old No. 15 jersey symbolized disrespect and a desire to erase the legacy he built with the Nuggets. Anthony, who officially retired in May after a 19-year career, expressed his frustration, stating that it reinforced a narrative portraying him as a disgruntled athlete who did not appreciate his role in the mid-market city.

“I’m like, (expletive) is going on? 15?” Anthony questioned. “So now, just start thinking, this is because this is the narrative that they put out there. ‘He wanted to leave. He wanted to do this.’ Nah. But why would you disrespect by even offering that? The disrespect in you offering that showed me that you just wanted to erase everything that came prior to that right there.”

Anthony firmly believes that the decision was intentional and a way for the Nuggets to distance themselves from his legacy. He perceives it as a symbolic slap in the face, expressing his frustration with the organization.

However, Anthony and Mero also considered Jokić’s perspective, suggesting that the MVP might not have cared about the number and might even have intended to pay homage to Anthony due to his international reach and status as an Olympic athlete.

While Jokić has worn No. 15 since his youth basketball days in Serbia, Anthony remains convinced that the team’s decision was a deliberate attempt to minimize his impact and achievements with the Nuggets.

In the world of professional sports, jersey numbers often carry significant symbolism, reflecting a player’s legacy and impact on a team. The No. 15 for the Denver Nuggets has indeed seen its share of iconic athletes, each leaving a unique imprint on the franchise’s history.

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