The Best NBA Nicknames In History
The recent Ultimate Hoops Bracket Challenge to pick the best team name in UH this season got me to thinking: What are the best nicknames in NBA history?
No other professional sports league can boast neither the quantity nor the creativity of nicknames that have become iconic to fans around the world. Name drop "The King”, “The Greek Freak” or “The Beard” and even the casual fan knows which NBA star you’re talking about.
The older generation of NBA fans grew up with posters on their bedroom walls of “Air” Jordan, “Pistol” Pete, and “Dr. J.” So let’s play the name game and take a look at the best nickname in franchise history for each NBA team.
Atlanta Hawks
Dominque “The Human Highlight Film” Wilkins, honorable mention to Wayne “Tree” Rollins, Glenn “Doc” Rivers, and Anthony “Spud” Webb
Boston Celtics
Cedric “Cornbread” Maxwell, honorable mention to John “Hondo” Havlicek, Paul “The Truth” Pierce, and Robert “The Chief” Parish
Brooklyn Nets
Kyrie “Uncle Drew” Irving, honorable mention to Kenyon “K-mart” Martin
Charlotte Hornets
Tyrone “Mugsy” Bogues, honorable mention to Larry “Grandmama” Johnson
Chicago Bulls
Michael “Air” Jordan, honorable mention to Bob “Butterbean” Love
Cleveland Cavaliers
LeBron “The King” James, honorable mention to Daniel “Boobie” Gibson, Bobby “Bingo” Smith, and John “Hot Rod” Williams
Dallas Mavericks
Brian “The Custodian” Cardinal
Denver Nuggets
David “Skywalker” Thompson, honorable mention to Nikola “The Joker” Jokic
Detroit Pistons
Vinnie “The Microwave” Johnson, honorable mention to John “Spider” Salley and Dennis “The Worm” Rodman
Golden State Warriors
it’s a duo that takes honors here “The Splash Brothers” - Steph Curry and Klay Thompson, honorable mention to Eric “Sleepy” Floyd
Houston Rockets
Hakeem “The Dream” Olajuwon, honorable mention to James “The Beard” Harden
Indiana Pacers
Chuck “The Rifleman” Person
Los Angeles Clippers
Nick “Swaggy P” Young
Los Angeles Lakers
Jerry “Mr. Clutch” West, honorable mention to Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Kobe “The Black Mamba” Bryant and Wilt “The Big Dipper” Chamberlain
Memphis Grizzlies
Bryant “Big Country” Reeves
Miami Heat
Dwyane “Flash” Wade, honorable mention to Chris “Birdman” Anderson
Milwaukee Bucks
Giannis “The Greek Freak” Antetokounpo, honorable mention to Glen "Big Dog” Robinson
Minnesota Timberwolves
Kevin “The Big Ticket" Garnett, honorable mention to Jerome “Pooh” Richardson and Andrew “Maple Jordan” Wiggins
New Orleans Pelicans
Anthony “The Brow” Davis
New York Knicks
Walt “Clyde” Frazier, Earl “The Pearl” Monroe
Oklahoma City Thunder
Have to go back to Sonics days. Marvin “The Human Eraser” Webster, honorable mention to Gary “The Glove” Payton, Shawn “The Reign Man” Kemp, and “Downtown” Freddie Brown
Orlando Magic
Anfernee ”Penny” Hardaway, honorable mention to Dwight “Superman” Howard
Philadelphia 76ers
Without question the franchise with the best nicknames ever: Julius "Dr. J” Erving, honorable mention to Allen “The Answer” Iverson, Darryl “Chocolate Thunder” Dawkins, Andrew “The Boston Strangler” Toney, “Jellybean” Joe Bryant, Billy “The Kangaroo Kid” Cunningham, and Lloyd “World B” Free.
Phoenix Suns
Shawn “The Matrix” Marion, honorable mention to “Thunder" Dan Majerle
Portland Trailblazers
Clyde “The Glide” Drexler
Sacramento Kings
Jason “White Chocolate” Williams, honorable mention to DeMarcus “Boogie” Cousins
San Antonio Spurs
George “Iceman” Gervin, honorable mention to David “The Admiral” Robinson, Tim “The Big Fundamental” Duncan, Artis “The A-Train” Gilmore, and Matt “The Red Rocket” Bonner
Toronto Raptors
Vince "Air Canada” Carter
Utah Jazz
Karl "The Mailman” Malone, honorable mention to “Pistol" Pete Maravich, Darrell “Dr. Dunkenstein" Griffith, Andrei “AK-47” Kirilenko, Rudy “The Stifle Tower” Gobert, and Donovan “Spida" Mitchell
Washington Wizards
Gil "Agent Zero” Arenas, honorable mention to Elvin “The Big E” Hayes, and Gus “Honeycomb" Johnson