The lost art of the nickname...

This topic contains 44 replies, has 18 voices, and was last updated by Hitster 12 years, 1 month ago.

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Posted on: Thu, 02/27/2014 - 4:47pm #54095

Lotto Stud
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I like majority of basketball followers love the unique nicknames that once were placed upon the players from the past. As I go along with this topic of discussion, I will tell you quick that boredom led me into this one. Anyhow like I were saying we all love nicknames, especially hearing or knowing that the star or elite players we love have names that stick or have a nice ring to them.
Now what I really want to get into is the fact that the players of this era do not have any umph to their names or originality. Every player or star player’s nickname is based of their name/initials which I hate for the life of me. I just want to know what happened to players obtaining nicknames from their skillsets etc. on the court? Ex. The Glove acquired by Gary Payton for his on ball lockdown defense.
I just really hate that everything is a KD CP PG if you catch my drift.
We need to go back to the uniqueness of the nicknames because right now it is a "Lost Art"
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Posted on: Thu, 02/27/2014 - 4:58pm #875278

Chewy
Participant
Black Mamba for Kobe is a sick and appropriate name.
Grim Reaper (or Slim Reaper depending on who you ask) for Durant was good. I didn’t mind Durantula, but I like this one better.
I hated the ‘King’ nickname that Lebron had just because he earned it playing against HS competition. Literally dozens of players dominate HS each year.
How Yao was never named the Great Wall is beyond my comprehension…
Andrew Wiggins needs to be nicknamed ‘Ender’ (This will make sense for anyone who has read the best Sci Fi book of all time: Ender’s Game. Ender in that book was literally a straight killer).
Ray Allen getting ‘Shuttlesworth’ on his jersey was awesome.
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Posted on: Thu, 02/27/2014 - 4:58pm #875385

Chewy
Participant
Black Mamba for Kobe is a sick and appropriate name.
Grim Reaper (or Slim Reaper depending on who you ask) for Durant was good. I didn’t mind Durantula, but I like this one better.
I hated the ‘King’ nickname that Lebron had just because he earned it playing against HS competition. Literally dozens of players dominate HS each year.
How Yao was never named the Great Wall is beyond my comprehension…
Andrew Wiggins needs to be nicknamed ‘Ender’ (This will make sense for anyone who has read the best Sci Fi book of all time: Ender’s Game. Ender in that book was literally a straight killer).
Ray Allen getting ‘Shuttlesworth’ on his jersey was awesome.
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Posted on: Thu, 02/27/2014 - 5:44pm #875290

Grandmama
Participant
100% with you on nicknames today. Seems like every single one is someone’s initials with their number following. They are beyond cliche…
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Posted on: Thu, 02/27/2014 - 5:44pm #875397

Grandmama
Participant
100% with you on nicknames today. Seems like every single one is someone’s initials with their number following. They are beyond cliche…
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Posted on: Thu, 02/27/2014 - 5:51pm #875296

Roland209
Participant
Lol yeah I actually just read that book last year and kept imagining Andrew Wiggins.
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Posted on: Thu, 02/27/2014 - 5:51pm #875403

Roland209
Participant
Lol yeah I actually just read that book last year and kept imagining Andrew Wiggins.
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Posted on: Thu, 02/27/2014 - 5:52pm #875298

llperez
we need more good nicknames, agreed. I liked the glove to the rain man back in the day. Or grandmamma for larry Johnson.
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Posted on: Thu, 02/27/2014 - 5:52pm #875405

llperez
we need more good nicknames, agreed. I liked the glove to the rain man back in the day. Or grandmamma for larry Johnson.
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Posted on: Thu, 02/27/2014 - 5:53pm #875300

kazam
Participant
KG being the Big Ticket used to be one of my favorites.
The microwave used to be a good one as well for Vinnie Johnson. My buddies and I called Kevin Love the slow cooker (mainly because of 2k) because he seems to always just chug along and finish with one hell of a game or final dish!

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Posted on: Thu, 02/27/2014 - 5:53pm #875407

kazam
Participant
KG being the Big Ticket used to be one of my favorites.
The microwave used to be a good one as well for Vinnie Johnson. My buddies and I called Kevin Love the slow cooker (mainly because of 2k) because he seems to always just chug along and finish with one hell of a game or final dish!

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Posted on: Thu, 02/27/2014 - 6:06pm #875306

bones5508
Participant
Joakim Noah says his nickname is Stick stickiddy!!! Lol
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Posted on: Thu, 02/27/2014 - 6:06pm #875413

bones5508
Participant
Joakim Noah says his nickname is Stick stickiddy!!! Lol
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Posted on: Thu, 02/27/2014 - 6:23pm #875314

i’m jus so offended
Participant
Can get "MGF" goin for "Machine Gun Felton"?
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Posted on: Thu, 02/27/2014 - 6:23pm #875422

i’m jus so offended
Participant
Can get "MGF" goin for "Machine Gun Felton"?
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Posted on: Thu, 02/27/2014 - 6:40pm #875322

Da1pot
Participant
Lebron and Kobe are the only elite ones with legit nicknames nowadays. You hear other ones being thrown around occasionally such as:
Shawn Marion- Matrix
Tim Duncan- Big Fundamental
Kevin Garnett- Big Ticket
Chris Anderson- Birdman (legit nickname, but he isn’t a star)
Gilbert Arenas- Agent Zero
Chauncey Billups- Mr. Big Shot
Glen Davis- Big Baby
Kenneth Faried- Manimal
Paul Pierce- The Truth

Either way, the nickname game nowadays is as weak as it has ever been……

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- Posted on: Thu, 02/27/2014 - 7:22pm #875338
  
  rileymcshea3
  Participant
  I guess you could say Kyrie Irving is Uncle Drew and Lance Stephensonis " born ready" and I’ve even heard Speohen Curry be called a "Baby face assassin"
  But what about these?( warning May be terrible)
  Dwight Howard- Flight Dwight
  Demar Derozen-Frozen Derozen
  Gerald Green-the green lantern???
  Man I suck at this no wonder nicknames are to come around now adays
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  - Posted on: Thu, 02/27/2014 - 7:41pm #875342
    
    Lotto Stud
    Participant
    I actually like what you came up with on "Frozen" DeRozan
    The main focus of the thread is really to do away with all name/initials references for many players, but I do like this one a lot.
    With a nickname like "Frozen" it instantly makes me think of clutch. The player that will end a game in 0.3sec to leave opponents and fans frozen. Just maybe 1 day DeRozan can live up to be "Frozen" from many clutch performances in the near future. Then again it is too similar to The Iceman George Gervin.
    Good call man +1
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  - Posted on: Thu, 02/27/2014 - 7:41pm #875449
    
    Lotto Stud
    Participant
    I actually like what you came up with on "Frozen" DeRozan
    The main focus of the thread is really to do away with all name/initials references for many players, but I do like this one a lot.
    With a nickname like "Frozen" it instantly makes me think of clutch. The player that will end a game in 0.3sec to leave opponents and fans frozen. Just maybe 1 day DeRozan can live up to be "Frozen" from many clutch performances in the near future. Then again it is too similar to The Iceman George Gervin.
    Good call man +1
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- Posted on: Thu, 02/27/2014 - 7:22pm #875446
  
  rileymcshea3
  Participant
  I guess you could say Kyrie Irving is Uncle Drew and Lance Stephensonis " born ready" and I’ve even heard Speohen Curry be called a "Baby face assassin"
  But what about these?( warning May be terrible)
  Dwight Howard- Flight Dwight
  Demar Derozen-Frozen Derozen
  Gerald Green-the green lantern???
  Man I suck at this no wonder nicknames are to come around now adays
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Posted on: Thu, 02/27/2014 - 6:40pm #875430

Da1pot
Participant
Lebron and Kobe are the only elite ones with legit nicknames nowadays. You hear other ones being thrown around occasionally such as:
Shawn Marion- Matrix
Tim Duncan- Big Fundamental
Kevin Garnett- Big Ticket
Chris Anderson- Birdman (legit nickname, but he isn’t a star)
Gilbert Arenas- Agent Zero
Chauncey Billups- Mr. Big Shot
Glen Davis- Big Baby
Kenneth Faried- Manimal
Paul Pierce- The Truth

Either way, the nickname game nowadays is as weak as it has ever been……

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Posted on: Thu, 02/27/2014 - 6:56pm #875326

i’m jus so offended
Participant
Or could we get Dirk as "Adolf Swisher"?
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Posted on: Thu, 02/27/2014 - 6:56pm #875434

i’m jus so offended
Participant
Or could we get Dirk as "Adolf Swisher"?
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Posted on: Fri, 02/28/2014 - 3:47am #875384

Jr. ROXAS
Participant
I swear I though I was the only one bothered by the lack of catchy nicknames present in our league right now. I found it really cool that the stars back in the days are known for their nicknames. My personal favorites were "The Glove", "White Chocolate", "Thunder" Dan, "The Dream" Hakeem and a whole lot more.
I missed those days when the players would be called or be known more for their nicknames. Honestly, I think the one person that can revitalize the nickname game is Shaq. He is not afraid to throw out nicknames for him and his peers to the media, and they are actually being used. Remember, Paul Pierce got his moniker "The Truth" from shaq after he torched the Lakers in one game. Tim Duncan’s nickname "The Big Fundamental" also originated from Shaq and it is now part of his identitiy. DWade was being called "The Flash" a whole lot during his early years after Shaq gave him the moniker.
These days, at least the superstars must inherit some really good nicknames. I remember Shaq once made an attempt to give Blake Griffin a nickname during his explosive rookie year. If I remember right, he gave Blake the nickname "Earthquake" which I honestly thought was excellent. I don’t know why it is not being used now though. It surely better than just calling him BG. Stars such as Paul George, Love, Westbrook and Aldridge all can be better off with cool and catchy nicknames.
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- Posted on: Fri, 02/28/2014 - 3:54am #875390
  
  Lotto Stud
  Participant
  I fully agree with your statement that it should be inherited instead of just thrown out. Anytime a fan favorite like Blake cannot have a name to stick there’s a huge problem. Just 1 day I hope the TNT cast can catch wind to this topic or something similar and bring it to the light.
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- Posted on: Fri, 02/28/2014 - 3:54am #875498
  
  Lotto Stud
  Participant
  I fully agree with your statement that it should be inherited instead of just thrown out. Anytime a fan favorite like Blake cannot have a name to stick there’s a huge problem. Just 1 day I hope the TNT cast can catch wind to this topic or something similar and bring it to the light.
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Posted on: Fri, 02/28/2014 - 3:47am #875492

Jr. ROXAS
Participant
I swear I though I was the only one bothered by the lack of catchy nicknames present in our league right now. I found it really cool that the stars back in the days are known for their nicknames. My personal favorites were "The Glove", "White Chocolate", "Thunder" Dan, "The Dream" Hakeem and a whole lot more.
I missed those days when the players would be called or be known more for their nicknames. Honestly, I think the one person that can revitalize the nickname game is Shaq. He is not afraid to throw out nicknames for him and his peers to the media, and they are actually being used. Remember, Paul Pierce got his moniker "The Truth" from shaq after he torched the Lakers in one game. Tim Duncan’s nickname "The Big Fundamental" also originated from Shaq and it is now part of his identitiy. DWade was being called "The Flash" a whole lot during his early years after Shaq gave him the moniker.
These days, at least the superstars must inherit some really good nicknames. I remember Shaq once made an attempt to give Blake Griffin a nickname during his explosive rookie year. If I remember right, he gave Blake the nickname "Earthquake" which I honestly thought was excellent. I don’t know why it is not being used now though. It surely better than just calling him BG. Stars such as Paul George, Love, Westbrook and Aldridge all can be better off with cool and catchy nicknames.
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Posted on: Fri, 02/28/2014 - 5:20am #875410

drpg913
Participant
Durant should be "Iceberg Slim" I agree with Jalen on that one.
Blake should be the "Poster Child"
I think Lance should go wth "The 8th grader"
Wiggins should most definitely be "Ender"
Kyrie has to be "Uncle Drew"
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Posted on: Fri, 02/28/2014 - 5:20am #875518

drpg913
Participant
Durant should be "Iceberg Slim" I agree with Jalen on that one.
Blake should be the "Poster Child"
I think Lance should go wth "The 8th grader"
Wiggins should most definitely be "Ender"
Kyrie has to be "Uncle Drew"
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Posted on: Fri, 02/28/2014 - 6:24am #875524

Ihateusernames
Participant
Didnt Durant used to be Durantula????
How about Kelly "the clinic" Olynyk

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Posted on: Fri, 02/28/2014 - 6:24am #875416

Ihateusernames
Participant
Didnt Durant used to be Durantula????
How about Kelly "the clinic" Olynyk

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Posted on: Fri, 02/28/2014 - 8:01am #875540

wrector
Participant
I thought Durant declared his name to be "The Servant"
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Posted on: Fri, 02/28/2014 - 8:01am #875431

wrector
Participant
I thought Durant declared his name to be "The Servant"
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Posted on: Fri, 02/28/2014 - 8:08am #875544

BasketBalAllan
Participant
I really think Cousins should be nicknamed Hulk, mainly because nobody likes him when he’s angry…
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Posted on: Fri, 02/28/2014 - 8:08am #875435

BasketBalAllan
Participant
I really think Cousins should be nicknamed Hulk, mainly because nobody likes him when he’s angry…
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Posted on: Fri, 02/28/2014 - 11:11am #875612

Make’Em Say UGH
Participant
I’m sure you guys heard the rumors of Paul George’s # changed to 13 so he can be ‘PG-13’ ? Eh.. it’s okay but PG-13 sounds so middle school in league full of grown men haha.
I think only exception to the rule would be Andrei Kirilenko – ‘AK47’
What were the odds of him having those initials with that number?

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Posted on: Fri, 02/28/2014 - 11:11am #875503

Make’Em Say UGH
Participant
I’m sure you guys heard the rumors of Paul George’s # changed to 13 so he can be ‘PG-13’ ? Eh.. it’s okay but PG-13 sounds so middle school in league full of grown men haha.
I think only exception to the rule would be Andrei Kirilenko – ‘AK47’
What were the odds of him having those initials with that number?

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Posted on: Wed, 05/14/2014 - 6:17pm #901410

Lotto Stud
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Sugar K. Leonard!

I love it!

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Posted on: Wed, 05/14/2014 - 6:17pm #901529

Lotto Stud
Participant
Sugar K. Leonard!

I love it!

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Posted on: Wed, 05/14/2014 - 6:38pm #901418

imblue87
Participant
As far as I know, Kirilenko deliberately chose Number 47 because his teammates urged him to take that number so he can be called AK-47. I think it was brilliant.
I remember seeing this type of thread in a different forum several years ago.

The whole nickname game was alive and kicking in 90’s mostly, and it has been down for quite some time. In ’00 era, nickname was mostly abbreviation of first and last name, like TMAC or AI (although he had The Answer).

lately trend seems to be first and last name initial + jersey number, which I hate, just no persona at all.
I think good nicknames nowadays are Uncle Drew, Mamba, Manimal, Splash brothers (although this includes 2 guys), etc. They irk certain images for the players, which is good for both fans and players.

We need to come up with good nicknames for young stars like George, Lillard, Wall, Love, and others.
I heard Curious George for Paul George and thought it was interesting, except it was kinda long…

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Posted on: Wed, 05/14/2014 - 6:38pm #901537

imblue87
Participant
As far as I know, Kirilenko deliberately chose Number 47 because his teammates urged him to take that number so he can be called AK-47. I think it was brilliant.
I remember seeing this type of thread in a different forum several years ago.

The whole nickname game was alive and kicking in 90’s mostly, and it has been down for quite some time. In ’00 era, nickname was mostly abbreviation of first and last name, like TMAC or AI (although he had The Answer).

lately trend seems to be first and last name initial + jersey number, which I hate, just no persona at all.
I think good nicknames nowadays are Uncle Drew, Mamba, Manimal, Splash brothers (although this includes 2 guys), etc. They irk certain images for the players, which is good for both fans and players.

We need to come up with good nicknames for young stars like George, Lillard, Wall, Love, and others.
I heard Curious George for Paul George and thought it was interesting, except it was kinda long…

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Posted on: Wed, 05/14/2014 - 6:43pm #901426

Lotto Stud
Participant
List of every notable NBA player with a nickname
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_Players_Nicknames
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Posted on: Wed, 05/14/2014 - 6:43pm #901545

Lotto Stud
Participant
List of every notable NBA player with a nickname
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_Players_Nicknames
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Posted on: Tue, 05/20/2014 - 1:11pm #904029

Hitster
Participant
Thon Maker whenever he is drafted surely has the potential for a good nickname "Meet your Maker" would be a decent one of the UnderMaker could work.
Dante Exum something like Devil X perhaps.

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Posted on: Tue, 05/20/2014 - 1:11pm #904150

Hitster
Participant
Thon Maker whenever he is drafted surely has the potential for a good nickname "Meet your Maker" would be a decent one of the UnderMaker could work.
Dante Exum something like Devil X perhaps.

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