Damian Lillard wears the No. 0. Carmelo Anthony wears the No. 00. Question: Is 00 a real number? Is there a numerical difference between 0 and 00? Could someone wear 000, or 1.0 or 1.5?—Brett S.
For the record, the 2019-20 Blazers aren't the first NBA team to have a 0 and a 00 on the roster at the same time.
In fact, they're not even the first Blazers team. Remember Enes Kanter, the center we signed after Jusuf Nurkic's grisly injury? Who wore 00 alongside Damian Lillard's 0, while averaging 10 rebounds and 11 points per game during the Blazers' deepest playoff run of this century? You know, last season?
Yeah, me neither. Or rather (probably like you) I remembered him, but not his jersey number. In any case, the fact that 00 has no mathematical significance isn't relevant. Jersey numbers just need to be unique identifiers; in theory, they could be two letters, or two colors, or that thing that Prince changed his name to in the '90s.
Still, in a world where 420 is too long and 69 too juvenile (for everyone except—who else?—Dennis Rodman, whose request for it was turned down by the league), 0 and 00 do stand out as special, maybe because it seems like they're breaking some rule.
These days, however, the specialness may be wearing off—at the moment, there are only nine NBA teams that don't have a No. 0 on their roster.
But none of that matters, since Lillard's official position is that he doesn't wear the No. 0. He wears the letter O, in honor of his birth in Oakland, his college career in Ogden (home of Utah's Weber State), and his current life in Oregon. (The NBA allows the use of this "letter O," though I suspect if Lillard had come to us from Fort Union by way of Furman University, they'd sing a different tune.)
Meanwhile, Carmelo Anthony's view—according to a somewhat cosmic Instagram post on Nov. 19—appears to be that he's wearing not the numerals 00 but the infinity symbol, ∞.
So you see, Brett, there are really no zeroed-out jerseys on the Blazers at all—move along; nothing to see here! Get it? "Nothing"? Because…oh, never mind.
I'm no stranger to the intricacies of sports, and in this case, the world of NBA jersey numbers provides a fascinating terrain for exploration. As someone deeply immersed in basketball culture and its nuances, I can confidently assert that jersey numbers are not just random symbols; they carry historical, personal, and sometimes even cosmic significance for the players who don them.
The article in question delves into the jersey numbers of Damian Lillard and Carmelo Anthony—0 and 00, respectively. To answer the initial query, yes, 00 is indeed a real number, but its mathematical significance is quite different from that of 0. In the realm of jersey numbers, however, the distinction is more symbolic than mathematical.
The piece also raises the intriguing possibility of players wearing unconventional numbers like 000, 1.0, or 1.5. While the NBA doesn't explicitly rule out such choices, tradition and practicality typically prevail, and players tend to stick to whole numbers. The example of Enes Kanter wearing 00 alongside Damian Lillard's 0 illustrates this point, showcasing that uniqueness and recognition are the primary goals.
The article further highlights the uniqueness of 0 and 00 in the NBA, drawing attention to their apparent departure from numerical norms. It mentions that these numbers, despite having no mathematical significance, stand out in a league where other numbers might be deemed too long or too juvenile.
The discussion extends to the broader NBA landscape, noting that the 2019-20 Blazers are not the first team to feature both 0 and 00 on the roster simultaneously. The growing prevalence of No. 0 in the league, with only nine teams without a player donning this number, underscores the evolving trends in jersey choices.
Interestingly, the article touches upon the personal narratives behind these numbers. Damian Lillard's unique approach to his jersey number, claiming to wear the letter O in homage to his connections with Oakland, Ogden, and Oregon, adds a layer of personal significance. Carmelo Anthony takes it a step further, suggesting through an Instagram post that he sees his jersey as the infinity symbol (∞), introducing a cosmic element to the discussion.
In conclusion, the article navigates the world of NBA jersey numbers, exploring the uniqueness of 0 and 00, challenging conventional numerical expectations, and delving into the personal stories that players attach to their chosen symbols. It's a captivating journey through the intersection of sports, symbolism, and individual identity on the basketball court.
