“I don’t hold you in high regards”: Shannon Sharpe hilariously roasts Carmelo Anthony’s unwanted No.15 jersey battle with Nikola Jokic

Carmelo Anthony recently called out the Denver Nuggets for not respecting his legacy as a Denver Nuggets player. Responding to his legacy claim was sports analyst and NFL great Shannon Shape.

In a conversation with former NBA player Gilbert Arenas on the recent episode of the “Nightcap” podcast, Sharpe challenged Anthony’s claim. Sharpe said it is Nikola Jokic who deserved his number retired more than Melo.

Sharpe also added that Jokic was an unlikely superstar when he was drafted while reminding Anthony that he forced his way out of Denver during the 2010-11 season.

“Melo you do realize this guy was a second round European player that when he was drafted he was in the middle of a Taco Bell commercial. Who thought Nikola Jokic was gonna arguably be one of the top 10 players when it is all said and done…Plus you forget you forced your way out. I’m sorry. You forced your way out of a relationship, and I don’t hold you in high regard. Please forgive me.”

Carmelo Anthony was selected 3rd overall by the Denver Nuggets in the historic 2003 NBA Draft, which also had LeBron James picked No. 1 by the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Carmelo played eight seasons with the Nuggets. However, in the middle of the eighth season, he demanded a trade.

As a Nuggets player, Melo averaged 24.8 points, 6.3 rebounds and 3.1 assists in 564 games.

Carmelo Anthony slams Denver Nuggets for disrespecting his legacy in Denver

Recently, Carmelo Anthony publicly questioned the Nuggets’ move to offer Jokic jersey No. 15, which Jokic currently wears. According to Melo, the Nuggets wanted to erase his legacy in the city.

Melo appeared on “7PM in Brooklyn” podcast and called out the Denver Nuggets organization for, what he called, a “petty maneuver.” However, Anthony didn't hold anything against Jokic for wearing his jersey number.

"It was a petty maneuver," he said. "It wasn't like, 'oh, we got numbers to choose from.' It was like, 'here, you got 15.'"

"Y'all put Jokić in the middle of that. He don't know what the f**k is going on...He could have worn it because he wanted to pay homage, but what I believe is that they gave him 15 to try to erase what I did.”

The 10 x NBA All-Star player reportedly demanded a trade from the Nuggets after they reached the Western Conference Finals in 2009. It was in the middle of the 2010-11 season that Melo was traded to the New York Knicks.

In a recent episode of the “All The Smoke” podcast, Anthony revealed that team rebuilding after the Nuggets reached the Western Conference Finals was the reason behind his demand for trade. He also added that he wanted the team to add good players to the core so that they could win a championship.

While the disagreement between players and analysts is understandable, Melo isn't entirely wrong for feeling disrespected by the Nuggets. His tenure with the Nuggets made them a force in the West. Moreover, he is an all-time NBA great and has earned the respect to make a case for himself.