Link:Once he arrived at his Pepsi Center locker Monday, Carmelo Anthony stared at his popular white No. 15 jersey like it was his long-lost friend. The Nuggets forward then held his jersey over his held and took a long, deep sniff.
With his jersey back on, Anthony contributed 28 points, five rebounds and six assists to the Nuggets' 115-98 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies. It was his first game after serving a 15-game suspension for fighting during a Dec. 16 game against the Knicks in New York.
More than a month later, the NBA's leading scorer was back on the court and vowed never to turn his back on his jersey until he unlaces his sneakers for good.
"I missed it. I never want to leave this uniform right here until I'm ready to retire," Anthony said.
Sunday night at his Lakewood mansion, Anthony had dinner with a special guest, former Syracuse teammate Hakim Warrick of the Grizzlies. Warrick said a usually reserved Anthony was energetic.
"You were happy he was coming back, but it's against you," Warrick said.
Anthony was dressed casually Monday when he entered the Pepsi Center. Nuggets teammate DerMarr Johnson told him he should have worn a suit upon his return. Anthony had said his layoff was like a jail sentence.
"You want me to wear a suit after I wore an orange jumpsuit," Anthony said to Johnson.
Soon after, Allen Iverson walked in. Anthony nodded while Iverson responded in hip- hop vernacular.
"What it do," Iverson said.
Anthony said he took part in his usual pregame routine and stayed focused by not answering his buzzing cellphone.
"I woke up and had 50 missed calls," he said.
Signs welcoming Anthony back were all over the arena. During the pregame introduction, the public address announcer barked, "He's back!" before saying Anthony's name above the ear-piercing crowd noise.
Before tipoff, Anthony took the microphone and thanked owner Stan Kroenke, the Nuggets, his teammates and the fans for "supporting me."
"It felt great. Chills went through my body. Once I got that, I was really ready to go out and play," Anthony said.
Anthony's pregnant fiancée, LaLa Vasquez, was back at her courtside seat. Vasquez had vowed not to sit in her seat until Anthony returned.
"It wouldn't feel right," Vasquez said. "I support the team. But he's my first priority and I would never want to leave him by himself watching the games. I would sit and watch them with him."
Sitting to the left of Denver's bench was Kroenke, who was excited about seeing Iverson and Anthony on the court together. They combined for 51 points.
It was a great game. They clicked very well together and it looks promising for Denver.
