In the latest episode of his 7PM in Brooklyn podcast with Stephon Marbury as his special guest, Carmelo Anthony explained why he picked No. 00 as his jersey number upon joining the Portland Trail Blazers in 2019 at the tail end of his storied career.
“I felt that energy, which is why I went and got 00, and I put ‘Peace’ on the back of my jersey [in the NBA bubble]. I really was at peace when I was in Portland,” he said . “Like the double zero wasn't just the double zero. That was the infinity number, you get what I'm saying? [Like] it's never-ending peace, so I had that on the back of my jersey. I was carrying that peace.”
Redemption tour in Portland
Before landing in the Blazers at that time, Melo initially endured the most challenging time of his career.
From being stubborn to think that he can still contribute at an All-Star level, Anthony got humbled as no team dared to call or reach out to him after being waived in the middle of the 2018-19 season. He saw a disappointing one-year run as a member of the Oklahoma City Thunder from the previous season, and he only lasted 13 games in the Houston Rockets as he failed to blend in Mike D'Antoni’s system.
In hiatus for a year, Melo slowly accepts the fact that his ship has finally sailed, and he can only settle for minimal play with the twilight of his career finally nearing. And as the injury-riddled Portland gave him an opportunity at the start of the 2019-20 season, Anthony didn't think twice about grabbing their offer and performing in any role the team would ask him.
After grinding out a non-guaranteed deal, Melo completely impressed everyone with his redemption tour after being out temporarily in the league. As a result, the Blazers opted to guarantee his contract for the remainder of the season, and the rest was just special for both sides.
Rip City revived Melo's career
While it was only a brief two-year run, Melo couldn't ask for the better and more relieving part of his Hall of Fame career in Rip City. Starting in 58 games for them in the 2019-20 season, he helped the Blazers clinch a postseason spot within the NBA Bubble as he averaged 15.4 points and 6.3 rebounds. The following year, he saw himself thriving in a sixth-man role for them while averaging 13.4 points, 3.1 boards, and a career-best 40.9 percent three-point shooting. As he decided to pursue the final chapter of his career in L.A. by joining LeBron James , Melo penned a heartwarming farewell post dedicated to Portland that helped him rediscover his love for the game.
Upon this revelation and with how things have wonderfully turned out, it now makes sense why Melo decided to uniquely play with No. 00 on his back in Portland. The Blazers provided him with a needed rebirth, and he seized it as he played basketball with pure joy and contentment about his legacy before retiring in 2023.
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