\u2014 CTRL the Narrative (@ctrlnarrative) February 2, 2024<\/a><\/p>\n In the 2008-09 season, a star duo of Anthony and Chauncey Billups led the Nuggets to a Western Conference Finals appearance, which was their third in franchise history at the time. However, no player on that team has been rightfully recognized by the organization. <\/p>\n In a recent interview with Andscape’s Marc J. Spears<\/a>, Billups called out the Nuggets for not putting Anthony’s jersey in the rafters. <\/p>\n “They should have retired Melo\u2019s jersey the year after he retired,\u201d Billups said. \u201cOnce he retired, I said, \u2018All right, cool. He\u2019s done now. He won\u2019t play another game. It is time.\u2019 And so, to me, it is already too late. That should have been the first order of business in terms of retiring Melo\u2019s jersey just because I know exactly what he meant to the organization.\u201d<\/p>\n Aug 6, 2024; Paris, France; Carmelo Anthony performs before a men\u2019s basketball quarterfinal game between the United States and Brazil during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Accor Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images \/ Kyle Terada-Imagn Images<\/p>\n Of course, it could be too late now. Anthony’s famous No. 15 jersey has already been taken over by Nikola Jokic, who has cemented himself as the greatest player in franchise history. Now, when the Nuggets put that number in the rafters, it will say “Jokic” instead of “Anthony.” Of course, the organization can still figure out a way to rightfully recognize both of them. <\/p>\n \u201cMelo is one of the greatest players in the history of the franchise,\u201d Billups continued. \u201cObviously, there are so many guys that came before us that were great players. And obviously, there was Joker [Jokic] that came after all of us. But Melo is one of the best players in the history of the franchise. I\u2019m still in Denver, and all the fans and the people I know still appreciate him. They love him.\u201d<\/p>\n Carmelo Anthony receives his HOF jacket and ring from his son, Kiyan \ud83d\ude4c<\/p>\n (h\/t @ohnohedidnt24<\/a>)pic.twitter.com\/KloWKCWzXd<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) September 6, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n Now that Anthony has been inducted into the Hall of Fame, it is a perfect time for the Nuggets to find a way to recognize him, but it is certainly more challenging now that Jokic has donned No. 15 and made it his own. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n