For years, Carmelo Anthony’s name seemed to fade in the chatter of NBA legends. Why? Because he never won a championship. That one missing piece often overshadowed everything else he achieved. After all, what other weakness of his could the non-believers target? What other weaknesses could detractors highlight? Regardless of his smooth jumper or scoring prowess, the absence of a championship ring stood out. But finally, the recognition he deserved found its way to him, and it came in gold.

“First ballot: Carmelo Anthony has been notified that he’s been elected into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2025,” reported Shams Charania. It was a long time coming. Over 19 seasons, Melo earned 10 All-Star appearances, six All-NBA selections, and three Olympic golds. Add in his NCAA title at Syracuse and ninth spot on the NBA all-time scoring list, and you’ll find no ordinary career. His Hall of Fame call wasn’t just a celebration; it was a long-overdue correction.

While fans celebrated, NBA vets, too, shared their take. On a recent episode of Run It Back, the host asked, “Denver Melo or New York Melo?” Chandler Parsons didn’t hesitate. He chose New York, pointing to Melo’s scoring title, six All-Star appearances, and his time in the spotlight. “Doing it in Madison Square Garden… that’s where his fame took off,” Chandler said. He brought up the memorable Knicks squads with J.R. Smith and Tyson Chandler, calling those teams fun and electric. To Chandler, Melo’s New York run was when his star power truly peaked. But Lou Williams had a different perspective.

For him, Melo’s time in Denver wasn’t just a personal beginning: it was the blueprint. Lou pointed out that while fans talk about Melo’s number going up in Ball Arena, he hasn’t heard much about the Knicks retiring his No. 7; that speaks volumes about where his true impact might have been most deeply felt. “Things he did in Denver were nothing short of outstanding,” Lou said, giving credit to those early years. He showed up in such a way that even now, there’s still a conversation about retiring No. 15 for Melo in Denver. But of course, the No. 15 jersey has already taken on a new life in Denver.

Carmelo Anthony’s Take on Denver’s No. 15 Debate

Carmelo Anthony could’ve reacted with fire, but instead, he chose peace- well, mostly. After being named to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, in an Instagram post, a question was raised about Carmelo’s old Denver Nuggets jersey number, 15, which now belongs to Nikola Jokic. Instead of stirring the pot, he responded with a laugh and wrote, “F— it, put both up lol.” He added, “Two different type of players. No comparisons, only respect.”

This might seem like a lighthearted take, but things weren’t always this chill. Just last year, on his 7 PM in Brooklyn podcast, Carmelo didn’t hide his disappointment. Back then, he called the decision to reissue No. 15 a “petty move.” He believed the team was trying to erase what he built, saying, “Why would you disrespect by even offering that?”

Should both men share the rafters, or does Jokic’s modern dominance overshadow Melo’s impact? Lou Williams, on Run It Back, claimed: “There’s a debate if he should share the #15 when Jokic retires… I hadn’t heard that about the #7 in New York.” It was a subtle but sharp reminder – Melo’s Denver years left a longer cultural shadow than many remember.

TV analyst and former Nuggets player Scott Hastings weighed in on the situation too: “It’s still 50-50 with the Nuggets fans,” Hastings told Andscape. “He was great when he was in Denver and he put the Nuggets back on the map. He needs to be honored for that.” The question is, how does one attribute honor to a legend the right way?

To Melo, it wasn’t just a number: it was a legacy. He had led Denver to playoff runs and All-Star seasons. Watching that number now represent a new face of the franchise felt like a gut punch.

Still, with time comes clarity. Carmelo now sees Jokic’s success as part of a different era, saying, “I had my time and era, he had his.” It’s clear there’s still a little sting, but also a whole lot of growth.

Maybe two jerseys can hang – one for the past, one for the present. After all, legacy isn’t about ownership. It’s about impact.