Former Denver Nuggets head coach George Karl has suggested that the team should retire jersey No. 15 in honor of both Carmelo Anthony and Nikola Jokic.
George Karl suggests the Nuggets should retire No. 15 for both Carmelo Anthony and Nikola Jokic, per @ScoopB
“Two No. 15s up there wouldn’t bother me one bit.” pic.twitter.com/AiSIN8vZn6
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) May 2, 2024
Anthony, who played for the Nuggets from 2003-2011, was a key player in turning the struggling franchise into a playoff contender. During his tenure, the team made the playoffs for ten consecutive seasons and reached the Western Conference Finals in 2009. However his time in Denver was marked by his fractious relationship with George Karl. Karl questioned Melo’s commitment to the team and believed he was playing for personal statistics. The two have never really reconciled and occasionally trade barbs on social media.
However, Anthony eventually requested a trade and was sent to the New York Knicks. After playing for several teams, he retired in 2023 without and NBA title to his name.
Jokic, currently considered one of the best basketball players in the world, wears the same No. 15 jersey that Anthony wore for the Nuggets. His impact on the team has been immense, leading them to their first championship in franchise history in 2023.
Karl’s proposal recognizes the contributions of both players to the franchise’s history. While some may debate the idea, it highlights the impact Anthony and Jokic have had on the Nuggets.
Carmelo Anthony deserves to have his Nuggets 15 retired by Denver and so does Nikola Jokic said George Karl while appearing on Scoop B Radio.
"TWO number #15 up there wouldn’t bother me a bit."
"I think they are both going to be retired sometime."@CoachKarl22 on… https://t.co/Fnvh5dRjkA pic.twitter.com/ydqsW8gLv9
— 👑 Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson (@ScoopB) May 2, 2024
In 2019, it was revealed that Jokic chose the No. 15 jersey as a youth player in Serbia because it was the biggest jersey the coach had, and Jokic was the biggest player. At the time, the decision raised mild dissatisfaction from the fanbase as a few fans were still loyal to Melo, perhaps their best player since Alex English but as Jokic’s star as one of the league’s premier talents rose, such concerns subsided.
Anthony had success with the Nuggets early in his career but pushed for a trade to New York. When he returned to Denver as a visiting player, he faced a mixed reception from fans.
Anthony believes his No. 15 jersey should be retired in Denver, but with Jokic currently wearing it, the decision remains uncertain.
It’s worth noting that several NBA teams have retired the same jersey number for multiple players, and Karl’s suggestion of retiring No. 15 for both players acknowledges their contributions to the franchise.
Fans reacted as follows:
I don’t like the Nuggets, but those old school powder blue Nuggs jerseys are hella goated 🔥🔥🔥
— Jimmy Bucketzzzz (@JimmyBucketzzzz) May 2, 2024
Melo went to 1 conference finals lmao at this rate every number gone be retired in 20 yrs
— Crows Nets (@CrowsNets) May 2, 2024
Ain’t no way out of all people George Karl said that😂😂.
— MelloⓂ️ (@RoemelloGrant) May 2, 2024
Jokic actually deserves it
— Keyed In Wins (@KeyedInWins) May 2, 2024
Didn’t George Karl and Melo have hella beef?
— Divvy.Bet (@DivvyBet) May 2, 2024
Personally, 15 should be player locked to whoever their star is. Like the opposite of a retirement
— Washed Gamer (@MitchellRossman) May 2, 2024
This such a tricky situation
— NBA World (@NBAW0RLD24) May 2, 2024
if george karl said it then you might have to consider it
— June (@dicordiva) May 2, 2024
No disrespect to Melo but if you wanna retire jerseys for dudes who made it to the WCF. Says everything you need to know about your franchise 😂😂
— LeLakers 2️⃣3️⃣👑 (@LeLaker) May 3, 2024
If it was just Melo's number, he wouldn't be saying this! Not a Karl fan
— jg (@jjglss) May 2, 2024
Why do we keep circulating these quotes about whether or not the man who is their only ever MVP, took the franchise to their first Finals and won them their first championship in their FORTY-SEVEN YEAR HISTORY should have his number retired or shared with someone else??
— Sideline Films (@SidelineFilmz) May 2, 2024
Nah ✌🏻✌🏻✌🏻 if Melo was more invested in Denver and showing some love I’d be on that boat BUT he didn’t even show up for the Ring ceremony night.
— Alejandro Leyva (@Alejandr0Leyva) May 2, 2024
Carmelo never stayed loyal & forced his way to New York Knicks, so Denver shouldn’t retire his jersey
— 19IC92 (@19IC92) May 2, 2024
They never should have given someone the 15 jersey. The disrespect is already there, so don't compound it by making him sit through a ceremony and watch someone else with the same number get their jersey retired, especially when they've achieved more than him.
— 🙂 (@_Ryan1892) May 3, 2024
Has Melo stepped foot in Denver since going to the Knicks? City has moved on from him similar to how he has moved on from us
— Rik (@SchomDeezy) May 2, 2024
Melo simply doesn’t deserve it and it’s disrespectful to Jokic’s legacy
— Lu Dort Stan Account 🐍💕 (@BLONDEDXOXO) May 3, 2024
bro what? maybe when jokic is retired but that makes no sense right now. also melo will definitely get his jersey retired by them. he deserves his own SEPARATE banner. so does jokic.
— Trap Goose (@_TrapgoosE) May 2, 2024
Why does basketball teams think retiring Jersey numbers is the only way to honour players?
— Bama Naise (@BamaNaise) May 2, 2024
Jokic deserves it more than Melo anyways…has done way more for the organization in the last 3 years then Melo did in his entire time in Denver.
— OLOC Gaming (@OLOCGaming) May 3, 2024
