Can You Match The Nickname To The NBA Player?
- by Cynthia Levy
- – on
- in Sports
A nickname, according to the internet dictionary, is a familiar or humorous name that we give to a person in place of his real name. A nickname is usually based on a person’s real name or an aspect of their character. People do not invent or give someone a nickname only for the sheer joy of mocking them. Instead, nicknames are given to describe something about the nature or disposition of a person.
The NBA has seen its fair share of nicknames being thrown around among its most famous players. In the more than seventy years of its existence, it has produced some of the world’s greatest basketball players who went on to create their own history and magic on and off the court. This has contributed to many of the players being given nicknames by fans and commentators.
Nicknames can be flattering or degrading. Even in the NBA some players are proud of their nicknames while others not so much. Who can blame Glen Davis if he hates being called “Big Baby” or Kevin Durant as “Durantula.” But love them or hate them, nicknames have a way of sticking to a person, especially to stars and famous athletes.
Are you an NBA fan and think you know a fair bit about the players and their nicknames? Find out if you can identify these 25 NBA players from their nicknames.
Who is “K-Dog”?
“K-Dog” plays for the Golden State Warriors and has won an NBA championship and many other titles including an NBA MVP Award, NBA All-Star Game MVP Award, and four NBA scoring titles. In college he played for the University of Texas and became the first freshman to be awarded the Naismith College Player of the year. He played for Oklahoma City before signing with the Warriors in 2016. He is one of the highest earning players in basketball due to his endorsement of sports brands like Nike and Foot Locker.
Who is “The Dunking Deutschman”?
This player is from Germany, and he plays for the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA. He was chosen in the 1998 NBA draft by the Milwaukee Bucks but traded to the Mavericks. He is considered to be one of the greatest all-time power forwards. During his career, he led the Dallas Mavericks to 15 NBA Playoffs and one championship, in 2011. He has many other nicknames like “The Germinator” and “The German Wunderkind.” He and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar are the only players to have achieved four consecutive 30-point, 15 rebound postseason games.
Who is “Magic”?
Before his retirement “Magic” played thirteen seasons as a point guard for the Los Angeles Lakers. He won championships in high school and college and was the first pick by the Lakers in the 1979 NBA draft. He won an NBA Finals MVP Award in his first season and also the championship. He abruptly retired in 1991 after announcing that he was HIV positive. He became an advocate for the prevention of AIDS, an entrepreneur, and motivational speaker. He was named one of the most influential black businessmen in America by Ebony magazine.
Who is “The Big Fundamental”?
This player is considered to be the greatest power forward of all time. He played only for the San Antonio Spurs during his 19-year career. He has won the NBA Championship five times, NBA MVP twice, and NBA Finals MVP three times. He is the only player to be included in the All-Defensive Teams and All-NBA in all of his first thirteen seasons. Off-court he is known for his active philanthropy and has a foundation in his name. Because of his simple but effective style of play, he is considered boring, hence this nickname.
Who is “The Diesel”?
This player was drafted by the Orlando Magic in 1992 and quickly became one of the best centers in the NBA. In the 1992-93 season he won Rookie of the Year and went on to lead his team to the 1995 NBA Finals. He later signed with the Los Angeles Lakers as a free agent and won three consecutive championships from 2000-2002. He has won many awards including the NBA MVP, All-Star game MVP, and Finals MVP awards, all in the year 2000. This player has also released four rap albums and appeared in several films.
Who is “His Airness”?
“His Airness” played fifteen seasons in the NBA for the Washington Wizards and the Chicago Bulls. Proclaimed the greatest basketball player of all time, he played an instrumental role in popularizing the NBA during the 1980s and 1990s. His ability to score by performing slam dunks from the free throw line earned him his nickname. He earned a reputation for being one of the best defensive players in the NBA. He retired in 1993 and began playing minor league baseball but returned to the Chicago Bulls in 1995.
Who is “Flash”?
This player began his NBA career by playing for the Miami Heat. He was named the NBA Finals MVP in 2006 and led his team to their first NBA championship in franchise history. He was included in the All-Star team and the All-Rookie team during his first twelve seasons. He led the US Men’s basketball team in the 2008 Summer Olympics and helped them to win the gold medal in Beijing. In 2016 he announced that he would join the Chicago Bulls.
Who is “The Admiral”?
This player played center for the San Antonio Spurs during his entire career. Born in Key West, Florida, he excelled in most sports in school except basketball. During his senior year in high school, the basketball coach added him to the team because he stood 6-foot six inches tall. Because he served as an officer in the US Navy, he earned the nickname “The Admiral.” He has been the NBA MVP in 1995, 10-time NBA All-Star, two-time NBA Champion, and two-time Olympic Gold Medal winner.
Who is “The Big Ticket”?
This player entered the 1995 NBA draft and was selected by the Minnesota Timberwolves. For 21 seasons he played in the power forward and center positions. He has won the NBA MVP Award, been named in the 15 All-Star Games, won NBA Defensive Player of the Year, and been selected nine times for All-NBA Teams. After twelve seasons with the Minnesota Timberwolves he joined the Boston Celtics in a record trade-off. He mentally prepares himself before games by banging his head against a padded basketball stanchion.
Who is “The King”?
“The King” plays for the Cleveland Cavaliers. He has won many titles and awards including three NBA championships, three NBA Finals MVP, four NBA MVP, two Olympic gold medals, and an NBA scoring title. He has been named to six All-Defensive teams, 13 All-NBA teams, and 13 NBA All-Star teams. He is the all-time leading scorer for the Cleveland Cavaliers and the NBA scoring leader in career playoff. This player has also featured in many popular media like television, films, books, and documentaries. He has also hosted Saturday Night Live and the ESPY Awards.
Who is “The Great White Hope”?
This player was drafted into the NBA in 1978 by the Boston Celtics and played for thirteen seasons in the small forward and power forward positions. He was awarded the NBA All-Star twelve times and was also NBA MVP for three consecutive years. During his entire career with the Boston Celtics, he won two NBA Finals MVP and three NBA championships. His first coach Bill Fitch nicknamed him the “Kodak” because of his ability to anticipate the reactions of both his opponents and teammates.
Who is “The Mailman”?
The Mailman played for his first eighteen seasons in the NBA with the Utah Jazz and then played one season with the Los Angeles Lakers. He won the NBA MVP twice, is an 11-time member of the All-NBA first team, and 14-time NBA All-Star. Regarded as one of the best power forwards, he got his nickname because he always delivered. He played in the Summer Olympics twice, winning gold medals in 1992 and 1996. After retiring, he joined the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs basketball team as a staff member. He also starred in the 1994 film Rockwell.
Who is “The Knick Killer”?
Playing his entire NBA career of 18 years with the Indiana Pacers, this player was known for his precise three-point shooting. He did especially well in tense situations and most notably against the New York Knicks, for which he earned his nickname. He is regarded as the greatest Indiana Pacers player of all time. He leads the league for five accurate free throws and was also selected for the All-Star team five times. He was a part of the US Basketball team in the 1996 Summer Olympics and won a gold medal.
Who is “The Dream”?
This player led the Houston Rockets to win the NBA championships back-to-back in 1994 and 1995. Born in Nigeria, this player came to the US to play for the University of Houston and was soon drafted into the NBA in 1984, along with players like Charles Barkley, John Stockton, and Michael Jordan. He has been inducted into the FIBA Hall of Fame and the Basketball Hall of Fame. His nickname was given to him when he dunked so effortlessly that his coach said it looked like a dream.
Who is “Black Mamba”?
Black Mamba played for 20 years with the Los Angeles Lakers before his retirement. He holds the record for being drafted into the NBA directly from high school. This player has been included eighteen times in the All-Star Team, twelve times in the All-Defensive Team, fifteen times in the All-NBA Team, and has also won the NBA championship five times. He was accused of sexual assault in 2003 but charges were dropped after an out of court settlement. He is said to have a feud with teammate Shaquille O’Neal.
Who is “The Doctor”?
This player helped to popularize the modern style of play in basketball which emphasizes leaping and playing above the rim. He was the best-known player in the American Basketball Association when it merged with the NBA in 1976. He won four MVP awards and is the sixth-highest scorer in NBA history. He played for the Virginia Squires and the New York Nets in the ABA and with the Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA. His famous trademark in slam dunk contests is slam dunking from the free throw line.
Who is “The Logo”?
“The Logo” played for the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA for his entire professional career. He played in the guard position and was elected to the NBA All-Star Team fourteen times. He is the only player in the history of the NBA to be named the Finals MVP in spite of being on the losing team. This player is nicknamed “The Logo” because his silhouette was incorporated into the NBA logo. He is also known as “Mr. Clutch” because in a clutch situation he can make a big play.
Who is “Chairman of the Boards”?
This NBA player was named MVP three times and won his NBA championship in 1983. He started his professional career in the ABA with the Utah Stars in 1974 and was named ABA All-star as a rookie. After the ABA merged with the NBA, he played in several teams including the Buffalo Braves, Houston Rockets, Milwaukee Bucks and San Antonio Spurs. His nickname comes from his rebounding prowess in the court. He led the NBA six times in rebounding which included five straight seasons, a record for that time.
Who is “Pip”?
This player won six NBA titles while playing for the Chicago Bulls. He and teammate Michael Jordan played a key role in turning the Bulls into a championship team and also popularizing the NBA during the 1990s. Pip was named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team eight times in a row and the All-NBA First Team three times. He is the only NBA player to win an Olympic gold medal and an NBA title in the same year,twice. He did this first in 1992 and again in 1996.
Who is “The Captain”?
“The Captain” is one of the greatest basketball players in NBA history. He played twenty seasons in the NBA for the Los Angeles Lakers and Milwaukee Bucks. He was honored as one of the 50 Greatest Players in the history of NBA, in 1996. Many people including NBA coach Pat Riley and players Julius Erving and Isiah Thomas have called him the greatest basketball player in history. During his career as a center “The Captain” held a record number of titles including 19-time NBA All-Star, six-time NBA MVP, 15-time All-NBA selection, and 11-time NBA All-Defensive Team member.
Who is “The Round Mound of Rebound”?
This player was drafted as a junior by the NBA in 1984, and was selected by the Philadelphia 76ers. He has also played for the Phoenix Suns and Houston Rockets during his NBA career. He was included in the All-NBA First Team five times, earned an NBA All-Star Game appearance eleven times, and was the All-Star MVP in 1991. This player was also famous for causing controversies. In 1991 while trying to spit at a heckler, he spat on a young girl.
Who is “Mr. Inside”?
This player played as a small forward for thirteen seasons in the NBA with the Minneapolis/Los Angeles Lakers. In 1958 he was the No. 1 draft pick and in 1959 he was named NBA Rookie of the year. During his career he appeared in eight NBA Finals, earned NBA All-Star eleven times, and was a 10-time member of the All-NBA first team. He became general manager of the Los Angeles Clippers. He also appeared in many television series like the Jackson Five’s TV special and Rowan and Martin’s Laugh In.
Who is “The Big Dipper”?
This player played for the Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles Lakers, and the San Francisco Warriors during his career in the NBA. He stood 7-foot one inch tall and weighed 250 pounds when he was a rookie, bulking up to 300 pounds by the time he played for the Lakers. Playing in the center position, he is regarded as one of the most dominant players in NBA history. He was also nicknamed “Goliath” because of his height but he preferred “The Big Dipper.”
Who is “The Secretary of Defense”?
He played for the Boston Celtics from 1956 to 1969 and won NBA MVP award five times and the NBA All-Star twelve times. During his 13-year career he won eleven NBA championships for the Boston Celtics. This player holds the record for most championships won by an athlete in a North American sports league. Considered as one of the best players in NBA history, he is known for his man-to-man defense and shot-blocking. He is among only seven players in history to win an Olympic gold medal, an NCAA championship, and an NBA championship.
Who is “The Big O”?
“The Big O” played for the Cincinnati Royals and Milwaukee Bucks during his NBA career. In 1962 he averaged a triple-double for the season and became the first of only two players to ever achieve this in NBA history. He was one of the key players to help the Bucks to their only NBA title in the 1970-71 season. He has been inducted twice in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. In 1996 he was voted one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History.