There’s only one No. 7 in Colorado — and it’s not Chauncey
https://www.denverpost.com/2009/07/01/theres-only-one-no-7-in-colorado-and-its-not-chauncey/
PUBLISHED: July 1, 2009 at 6:13 p.m. | UPDATED: May 6, 2016 at 9:34 p.m.
PARKER — One by one, the kids at Parker Fieldhouse strode to the table where a Chauncey Billups autograph awaited them on Wednesday. Close examination revealed that Billups’ beard isn’t the only new thing about the Nuggets leader.
Billups signed some of the autographs “Chauncey Billups #1” — the new number on his Nuggets jersey next season. The superstar guard is letting go of No. 7, which was good to him last season in his return to Denver.
Billups chose No. 7 as a tribute to former Broncos quarterback John Elway, a man he idolized growing up in Denver. Elway introduced Billups to the Pepsi Center crowd on May 3, prior to a Nuggets-Mavericks playoff game.
“It was in the plan the whole time,” Billups said. “I just felt like No. 7 was great for me. . . . But there’s really just going to be just one No. 7 in this town, and that’s going to be John forever. I just wanted to kind of try to make my own legacy.”
Billups was able to get No. 1, which he wore in Detroit, without much trouble. J.R. Smith wore No. 1 the last few seasons, but Billups said he did not have to pay Smith off — as is a common practice — to get the jersey. No word yet on which number Smith will wear.
The No. 1 has deep meaning for Billups.
“The real significance of No. 1 is, I felt like when I went to Detroit, at the time it was my sixth team, and I had one more chance to become a star. I had a few chances, didn’t succeed.
“And so, that’s why I chose No. 1. So, every time I look down, I can never get satisfied. I can never get complacent. Because when I look down and see that No. 1, I remind myself that this is it.”
Chris Dempsey, The Denver Post
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