The Denver Nuggets were well-represented at this year's Basketball Hall of Fame induction, with former star Carmelo Anthony being enshrined. Even so, many Nuggets fans are ambivalent at best over the honor bestowed on one of the best players in franchise history.
Still, after Anthony's Hall of Fame induction, it raises questions about whether the Nuggets should finally retire his jersey. Former Nuggets Chauncey Billups, as well as Kiki Vandeweghe, has voiced their support, bringing more attention to a potential jersey retirement.
It's fair to wonder if it eventually will, but it's not a question that is likely to get answered for a while. Anthony, despite spending the first nine years of his Hall of Fame career in Denver, burned bridges on his way out.
The Denver Nuggets and Carmelo Anthony have bad blood
While Anthony technically didn't demand a trade back in 2011, his declining to sign an extension before the start of that season made clear that he wasn't returning. The Nuggets got plenty for him, including a pick swap that turned into Jamal Murray.
Still, there are probably hurt feelings on both sides. Anthony likely feels snubbed and even forgotten after leading the Nuggets to eight straight playoff appearances and a trip to the Western Conference Finals.
On the other hand, the Nuggets may still be upset about the media circus that led up to him being traded.
There was even some question as to whether they gave Nikola Jokic Anthony's number 15 jersey out of spite. It doesn't seem like nearly as much of a snub as it once did back then since Jokic has emerged as an all-time player. However, when he was drafted, he was just a chubby 7'0" second-round selection, making the gesture of giving him Anthony's jersey seem like an insult.
The Nuggets may retire Carmelo Anthony's jersey eventually
Jokic turning into a superstar complicates the Nuggets' ability to retire Anthony's jersey. After all, it's hard to retire a jersey when a player will likely continue to wear said jersey number for the next half a decade.
More likely, the Nuggets wait until after Jokic retires and then retire Anthony's with more time having passed, followed by Jokic's jersey. That would give the Nuggets and Anthony more time to make nice, with a possible jersey retirement not happening until at least 20 years after he was first traded.
Time heals all, and Anthony's exit wasn't nearly as ugly as Kawhi Leonard forcing his way off the San Antonio Spurs or Dwight Howard leaving the Orlando Magic. Speaking of Howard and the Magic, Howard was also just inducted and has already had his jersey retired by Orlando, giving Anthony hope that the Nuggets could eventually do the same.