Carmelo Anthony — the newest member of the Portland Trail Blazers, which became official on Tuesday — has worn the same two numbers for his NBA career: Nos. 15 (in Denver) and 7 (with the Knicks, Thunder and Rockets).
So when it came time to pick a jersey number in Portland, he ended up with … 00.
No. 15 is unavailable because it belonged to Larry Steele, the guard whose number is in the Moda Center because it’s been retired.
But there’s a more complicated story with No. 7.
That was the number that belonged to Brandon Roy, the guard who looked like a bona fide superstar in the making with the Blazers until injuries completely derailed his career and forced him into early retirement.
Since then, no one has worn No. 7 even though it’s not retired:
My biggest question about this move is if they'll let Melo wear No. 7. No one has worn it since the end of the Brandon Roy era. Mo Williams had to change it after immense fan backlash at his introductory presser in 2013. Skal Labissiere was told last year it wasn't available.
— Sean Highkin (@highkin) November 15, 2019
That’s right — Mo Williams went with 25 instead of the initial 7, although he claimed it wasn’t because of the backlash that came with the choice. And that’s an interesting report about Skal Labissiere.
It appears that’s the reason:
Carmelo Anthony will wear No. 00 for POR because No. 7 is being held in honor of Brandon Roy; No. 15 (his Denver/Syracuse #) is retired for Larry Steele & No. 22 (Oak Hill #) is retired for HOFer Clyde Drexler. Wish he'd gone with 25, to bring them all together. Stay Mel00
— Michael Lee (@MrMichaelLee) November 19, 2019
For what it’s worth: the Blazers should retire the number instead of just holding it “in honor” of Roy. Here, watch some highlights:
[jwplayer V0LjsU7n-q2aasYxh]