Why does Nikola Jokic wear jersey No. 15?

Nikola Jokic leads Nuggets to first Championship as No. 15 takes center stage


Why does Nikola Jokic wear jersey No. 15?

Nikola Jokic

Nikola Jokic led the Denver Nuggets to their first-ever NBA championship. Jokic’s exceptional performance throughout the Finals earned him the well-deserved title of Finals MVP. With this remarkable feat, Jokic has established himself as one of the greatest players of all time, and it is only a matter of time before his No. 15 jersey hangs in the rafters at Ball Arena.

As he is often referred to, “The Joker,” has always had a unique perspective on his journey to greatness. When asked by Paolo Banchero of the Orlando Magic why he chose to wear the No. 15 jersey, Jokic provided a hilarious response. He humorously stated, “I was chubby, I was big, and No. 15 was the biggest jersey. But I stuck with it, I like it.”

YouTube video

Furthermore, Jokic’s playoff run with the Nuggets was nothing short of historic. While his choice of jersey number may have been random, he is now writing his name in the league’s history books. Jokic will undoubtedly be regarded as the greatest player to ever wear the No. 15 jersey by the time he retires.

Related: https://firstsportz.com/nba-news-nikola-jokic-dances-to-hit-song-abnikoout-lakers-star-nba-twitter-goes-berserk/

The Nikola Jokic-Carmelo Anthony jersey debate

IMG COM 20230522 2016 16 8611
Carmelo ANthony (image via (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Following Carmelo Anthony’s announcement of his retirement from the NBA on May 22, Denver Nuggets fans found themselves faced with a challenging question. Should the franchise retire Anthony’s jersey, or does the No. 15 now belong to Nikola Jokic, the newly crowned NBA champion?

During his tenure with the Nuggets from 2003 to 2011, Anthony achieved significant success, securing a place among the team’s top three all-time leading scorers. However, his relationship with Denver became complicated when he expressed a desire to move to New York during the 2010-11 season, eventually being traded to the Knicks ahead of the 2011 deadline.

YouTube video

In 2019, after a game between the Nuggets and the Trail Blazers, Anthony expressed his belief that his No. 15 jersey should be retired in Denver. However, he acknowledged the presence of Jokic, who currently wears the same number, stating, “Maybe not because [Jokic has] 15 now. We’ll see.”

The debate surrounding Anthony’s jersey retirement remains a topic of discussion among Nuggets fans. While Anthony undoubtedly left an unfading mark on the franchise, Jokic’s recent achievements and his place in Nuggets history add another layer of complexity to the decision.

In case you missed it: