Fans react to Carmelo Anthony wearing Brandon Roy's jersey number in Portland

The basketball world exploded when it was announced that the Portland Trail Blazers will be signing Carmelo Anthony to a non-guaranteed contract. The signing paved the way for the 35-year old veteran after almost of year since playing his last game in the NBA.

Several media outlets posted an image of Melo potentially forming a trio with current Portland stars Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum and the fans welcomed it with open arms. There is just one issue, though.

Portland fans aren’t in favor of the former Syracuse star using the jersey number on his chest. They went to social media to express their approval of getting Melo but they also put up some restrictions.

Melo had been using the jersey number 7 during his stops with the New York Knicks, Oklahoma City Thunder, and the Houston Rockets. Coincidentally, that was the same number of former Portland star Brandon Roy who was dearly loved by the Blazers fans.

Roy was the sixth pick of the 2006 NBA draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves before sending him to Portland. The former Washington Husky won the Rookie of the Year award, besting Rajon Rondo, Kyle Lowry, Paul Millsap, LaMarcus Aldridge, and top pick Andrea Bargnani.

Considered to be the Blazers’ star, Roy succumbed to injuries, before deciding to retire in due to a degenerative knee injury in 2011. He made his comeback in 2012 after signing with the Timberwolves for a two-year $10.4-million contract per ESPN. He also claimed that it was never really his official decision to retire the year prior and is feeling good after giving a platelet-rich plasma – the same treatment Kobe Bryant has been using.

Melo used jersey number 15 during his time with the Denver Nuggets but he also cannot use it anymore since the Blazers had the jersey retired for Larry Steele in 1981. Steele was best known for being a part of the 1977 championship team.

Roy is now coaching the boys’ basketball team in Garfield High School for the 2019-2020 season in his native Seattle per Seattle Times report. He racked 57-1 win-loss coaching career in 2017 and named National Coach of the Year the same year.