Earl Monroe told The Post that Carmelo Anthony can have his retired No. 15 jersey if he wants it, but the new Knicks superstar has missed the NBA deadline to change numbers for next season.
Last week after his Knicks debut, Anthony revealed he had asked Monroe about wearing No.15.
Anthony wears No. 7 because the No. 15 jersey he wore in Denver for seven seasons (and one at Syracuse) had been retired by the Knicks not once, but twice.
Monroe’s 15 was retired in 1986 and again for Dick McGuire in 1992. McGuire passed away last year.
“[Carmelo] talked to me on the podium after the press conference and I told him I’m fine with it but he’d have to ask the McGuires,” Monroe told The Post. “Fifteen, it’s just a number to me. I’d be honored if he wore it.”
Anthony missed the March 1 deadline to apply for a new jersey number for next season.
“I wish I can take it back down,” Anthony said. “Talking to Earl, I don’t know what I’ve got to go through to get it. I’ll wear it in his honor.”
Anthony picked No. 7 for random reasons. His son, Kiyan, has an upcoming birthday March 7. Anthony’s high school number (22) minus his NBA number (15) equals seven.
The new No. 7 merchandise flew off the racks at the Garden during Anthony’s first game as a Knicks last Wednesday, selling out. Garden officials have kept reordering, and Anthony’s jersey is now one of the most common seen in the arena.
Monroe and Anthony have something else in common — both are Baltimore basketball stars. Monroe played for the Bullets before coming to the Knicks. Anthony grew up there.
“I usually follow players who wear 15 more closely,” said Monroe, who announced this week the formation of an amateur tournament between New York and Los Angeles — the Peoples Games.
Monroe said he does not see Anthony leading the club to a deep playoff run this season, however.
“They need an inside presence,” Monroe said. “They’ll have to address that issue and be on track to do something better next year before New York becomes a championship city again.”
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Amar’e Stoudemire
used his Twitter account to blast BYU for kicking Brandon Davies off the basketball team for violating code in allegedly having sexual relations with his girlfriend.
“Don’t ever go to BYU, they kick a Young Educated (Black)Brother OUT OF SCHOOL. The kid had premarital sex. Not suspended, Not Release. Wow!”
“P.S.With his girlfriend. Come on BYU don’t kick the kid out of school. Let’s be honest he is n college. Let’s the kid live a little.”
Stoudemire, wno did not attend college, used a hashtag #antiBYU.
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Center Ronny Turiaf
sat out with a sore knee, giving Jared Jeffries
his first start. . . . The Knicks did agent Happy Walters
a favor in buying out swingman Corey Brewer
, a rising defensive stopper. Walker, also the agent of Stoudemire and Shawne Williams
, knew there was big interest around the league, and asked Knicks president Donnie Walsh
to waive him when coach Mike D’Antoni
admitted he could not guarantee playing time. About 14 teams expressed interest in Brewer, and the Mavericks signed him to a three-year deal. . . . Walsh said he inquired about power forward Leon Powe
, but was scared off by his knee. Powe was to sign yesterday with the Grizzlies. . . . Walsh still wants to add a center and will see if Earl Barron
re-signs with the Bucks after his current 10-day pact expires. . . . Newcomer Shelden Williams
scored his first points as a Knick, notching six in 10 minutes.