Basketball The Best NBA Player Nicknames  

Kevin
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89.4k votes 8k voters 118.2k views 139 items

List Rules Please rank the players only on their nicknames

This list includes the best NBA nicknames of current and retired NBA players. The top basketball players nicknames are on this list and the best thing is you can control who ranks highest on this list. This list includes nicknames for point guard, centers and shooters. "Air Jordan" may be the most famous of all the basketball nicknames, it almost might be the most cool basketball nickname, but is it the best? Vote for the best basketball nicknames of any era and add any good NBA players nicknames that may not have made it on the list. 

What are the best nicknames in basketball? There are funny nicknames for all players if you look hard enough. This includes nicknames for point guards and other types of players. Some of these nicknames are more memorable than others, but that's the way it goes right?
list ordered by

1
2,678 789
Julius Erving is listed (or ranked) 1 on the list The Best NBA Player Nicknames
Dr. J Julius Winfield Erving II, commonly known by the nickname Dr. J, is a retired American basketball player who helped launch a modern style of play that emphasizes leaping and play above the rim. ...more

2
2,884 658
Magic Johnson is listed (or ranked) 2 on the list The Best NBA Player Nicknames
Magic Earvin "Magic" Johnson Jr. is a retired American professional basketball player who played point guard for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association for 13 seasons. ...more

3
1,907 708
Pete Maravich is listed (or ranked) 3 on the list The Best NBA Player Nicknames
Pistol Pete Peter Press "Pistol Pete" Maravich was an American professional basketball player. He was born and raised in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, part of the Pittsburgh metropolitan area. Maravich ...more

4
2,101 670
Hakeem Olajuwon is listed (or ranked) 4 on the list The Best NBA Player Nicknames
The Dream Hakeem Abdul Olajuwon, formerly known as Akeem Olajuwon, is a retired Nigerian-American professional basketball player. From 1984 to 2002, he played the center position in the National ...more

5
2,567 843
Kobe Bryant is listed (or ranked) 5 on the list The Best NBA Player Nicknames
The Black Mamba Kobe Bean Bryant is an American professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association. He entered the NBA directly from high school, and has played for ...more

6
2,799 837
Michael Jordan is listed (or ranked) 6 on the list The Best NBA Player Nicknames
Air Jordan Michael Jeffrey Jordan, also known by his initials, MJ, is an American former professional basketball player. He is also an entrepreneur, and principal owner and chairman of the Charlotte ...more

7
1,186 532
George Gervin is listed (or ranked) 7 on the list The Best NBA Player Nicknames
wiabux added "The Ice Man" George "The Iceman" Gervin is an American retired professional basketball player who played in both the American Basketball Association and National Basketball Association for the ...more

8
1,931 666
Allen Iverson is listed (or ranked) 8 on the list The Best NBA Player Nicknames
The Answer Allen Ezail Iverson is an American retired professional basketball player who played for four different teams during 14 seasons in the National Basketball Association. He played both the point ...more

9
1,641 596
Karl Malone is listed (or ranked) 9 on the list The Best NBA Player Nicknames
The Mailman Karl Anthony Malone, nicknamed "The Mailman" is a retired American professional basketball power forward. He spent his first 18 seasons in the National Basketball Association with the ...more

10
1,255 588
Clyde Drexler is listed (or ranked) 10 on the list The Best NBA Player Nicknames
Clyde the Glide Clyde Drexler is the father of Adam Drexler.

11
1,317 678
Vince Carter is listed (or ranked) 11 on the list The Best NBA Player Nicknames
Vinsanity, Air Canada Vincent Lamar "Vince" Carter is an American professional basketball player who currently plays for the Memphis Grizzlies of the National Basketball Association. He is 6'6" and can ...more

12
1,516 579
Shaquille O'Neal is listed (or ranked) 12 on the list The Best NBA Player Nicknames
Diesel, Superman, Big Aristotle Shaquille Rashaun O'Neal, nicknamed Shaq, is an American retired professional basketball player, former rapper, actor and current analyst on the television program Inside the NBA. Standing 7 ft ...more

13
1,225 528
Gary Payton is listed (or ranked) 13 on the list The Best NBA Player Nicknames
The Glove Gary Dwayne Payton is an American former professional basketball point guard. He is best known for his 13-year tenure with the Seattle SuperSonics, and holds Seattle franchise records in points, ...more

14
861 300
David Robinson is listed (or ranked) 14 on the list The Best NBA Player Nicknames
LPKCYou added The Admiral
 David Robinson is the father of American Football player Corey Robinson.

15
1,115 548
Wilt Chamberlain is listed (or ranked) 15 on the list The Best NBA Player Nicknames
The Stilt Wilton Norman "Wilt" Chamberlain was an American basketball player. He played for the Philadelphia/San Francisco Warriors, the Philadelphia 76ers and the Los Angeles Lakers of the NBA; ...more

16
1,162 552
Dominique Wilkins is listed (or ranked) 16 on the list The Best NBA Player Nicknames
The Human Highlight Film Jacques Dominique Wilkins is a retired American professional basketball player who primarily played for the Atlanta Hawks of the NBA. Wilkins was a nine-time NBA All-Star, and one of the best ...more

17
1,131 473
Larry Bird is listed (or ranked) 17 on the list The Best NBA Player Nicknames
Larry Legend, The Hick from French Lick Larry Joe Bird is an American retired professional basketball player who played for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association. Since retiring as a player, he has been a mainstay ...more

18
1,149 571
Charles Barkley is listed (or ranked) 18 on the list The Best NBA Player Nicknames
The Round Mound of Rebound Charles Wade Barkley is a retired American professional basketball player and current analyst on the television program Inside the NBA. Nicknamed "Chuck", "Sir Charles", and ...more

19
904 127
Giannis Antetokounmpo is listed (or ranked) 19 on the list The Best NBA Player Nicknames
mandyclark25 added

Greek Freak

 Giannis Antetokounmpo (born December 6, 1994) is a Greek professional basketball player for the Milwaukee Bucks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Nicknamed the "Greek ...more

20
1,143 450
Paul Pierce is listed (or ranked) 20 on the list The Best NBA Player Nicknames
The Truth Paul Anthony Pierce is an American professional basketball player who currently plays for the Washington Wizards of the National Basketball Association. Pierce was a high school McDonald's ...more

21
1,021 530
Dwyane Wade is listed (or ranked) 21 on the list The Best NBA Player Nicknames
Flash Dwyane Tyrone Wade, Jr. is an American professional basketball player who currently plays for the Miami Heat of the National Basketball Association. He has established himself as one of the most ...more

22
1,495 679
LeBron James is listed (or ranked) 22 on the list The Best NBA Player Nicknames
King James LeBron Raymone James is an American professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association. Standing at 6 ft 8 in and weighing 250 lbs., he has started ...more

23
888 346
Jason Williams is listed (or ranked) 23 on the list The Best NBA Player Nicknames
White Chocolate Jason Chandler Williams is an American retired basketball player who was a point guard in the National Basketball Association for twelve seasons during the late 1990s and 2000s. A native of West ...more

24
967 458
Tim Duncan is listed (or ranked) 24 on the list The Best NBA Player Nicknames
The Big Fundamental Timothy Theodore "Tim" Duncan is an American professional basketball player who has played his entire career for the San Antonio Spurs of the National Basketball Association. The ...more

25
826 537
Chris Andersen is listed (or ranked) 25 on the list The Best NBA Player Nicknames
Birdman Christopher Claus "Chris" Andersen is an American professional basketball player who currently plays for the Miami Heat of the National Basketball Association. Nicknamed Birdman, ...more

26
820 384
Kevin Garnett is listed (or ranked) 26 on the list The Best NBA Player Nicknames
The Big Ticket Kevin Garnett was born in May 19, 1976 in Maulding, SC. He's a professional basket player for the NBA's Boston Celtics Team. His career began when he was drafted (5th Draft) by the Minnesota ...more

27
889 470
Andrei Kirilenko is listed (or ranked) 27 on the list The Best NBA Player Nicknames
AK-47 Andrei Gennadyevich Kirilenko is a Russian professional basketball player who currently plays for CSKA Moscow of the VTB United League. At age fifteen, Kirilenko began playing professional ...more

28
715 349
Jerry West is listed (or ranked) 28 on the list The Best NBA Player Nicknames
wiabux added "Mr. Clutch" Jerry Alan West is a retired American basketball player who played his entire professional career for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association. His nicknames include ...more

29
432 174
Oscar Robertson is listed (or ranked) 29 on the list The Best NBA Player Nicknames
The Big O Oscar Palmer Robertson, nicknamed "The Big O", is a retired American National Basketball Association player who played for the Cincinnati Royals and Milwaukee Bucks. The 6 ft 5 in, 220 ...more

30
690 261
Spud Webb is listed (or ranked) 30 on the list The Best NBA Player Nicknames
Spud Anthony Jerome "Spud" Webb is a retired American NBA professional basketball point guard. Webb is notable for winning a slam dunk contest despite being one of the shortest players in ...more

31
726 275
Muggsy Bogues is listed (or ranked) 31 on the list The Best NBA Player Nicknames
"Muggsy" Tyrone Curtis "Muggsy" Bogues is an American retired professional basketball player and current head coach of the United Faith Christian Academy boys' basketball team. The shortest ...more

32
592 334
Darryl Dawkins is listed (or ranked) 32 on the list The Best NBA Player Nicknames
wiabux added "Chocolate Thunder" Darryl Dawkins is a retired American professional basketball player, most noted for his days with the NBA's Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Nets, although he also played briefly for the ...more

33
738 361
Stephen Curry is listed (or ranked) 33 on the list The Best NBA Player Nicknames
alisha williams added Baby Faced Assassin, Chef Curry Wardell Stephen "Steph" Curry II is an American professional basketball player who plays for the Golden State Warriors of the National Basketball Association. Listed at 6 ft 3 in tall ...more

34
550 168
James Harden is listed (or ranked) 34 on the list The Best NBA Player Nicknames
NinushanAmirthilagam1 added The Beard James Edward Harden, Jr. is an American professional basketball player who currently plays for the Houston Rockets of the National Basketball Association. Harden played college basketball for ...more

35
297 142
Earl Monroe is listed (or ranked) 35 on the list The Best NBA Player Nicknames
The Pearl Vernon Earl Monroe is an American retired professional basketball player. He played for two teams, the Baltimore Bullets and the New York Knicks, during his career in the National Basketball ...more

36
626 232
Penny Hardaway is listed (or ranked) 36 on the list The Best NBA Player Nicknames
Penny Anfernee Deon "Penny" Hardaway is a retired American professional basketball player who played in the National Basketball Association, specializing as an unconventionally tall point ...more

37
406 103
Tracy McGrady is listed (or ranked) 37 on the list The Best NBA Player Nicknames
T-Mac Tracy Lamar McGrady, Jr. is an American retired professional basketball player in the National Basketball Association. He is a seven-time NBA All-Star, seven-time All-NBA selection, and a ...more

38
722 389
Dennis Rodman is listed (or ranked) 38 on the list The Best NBA Player Nicknames
The Worm Dennis Keith Rodman is a retired American professional basketball player, who played for the Detroit Pistons, San Antonio Spurs, Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers, and Dallas Mavericks in the ...more

39
275 134
Nate Archibald is listed (or ranked) 39 on the list The Best NBA Player Nicknames
Tiny Nathaniel "Tiny" Archibald is a retired American professional basketball player. He spent 14 years playing in the NBA, most notably with the Cincinnati Royals, Kansas City - Omaha ...more

40
536 291
Doc Rivers is listed (or ranked) 40 on the list The Best NBA Player Nicknames
"Doc" Glenn Anton "Doc" Rivers is an American basketball coach and former player. He is the current head coach and President of Basketball Operations for the NBA's Los Angeles Clippers. A ...more

41
693 581
Kevin Durant is listed (or ranked) 41 on the list The Best NBA Player Nicknames
The Durantula Kevin Wayne Durant is an American professional basketball player who plays with the Oklahoma City Thunder of the National Basketball Association. Standing at 6 ft 9 in and weighing 240 pounds, ...more

42
284 106
Kenny Smith is listed (or ranked) 42 on the list The Best NBA Player Nicknames
The Jet Kenneth "Kenny" Smith is a retired American professional basketball player who played in the National Basketball Association and went on to become a TV basketball analyst, primarily ...more

43
522 313
Glen Davis is listed (or ranked) 43 on the list The Best NBA Player Nicknames
Big Baby Ronald Glen Davis is an American professional basketball power forward who currently plays for the Los Angeles Clippers of National Basketball Association. Formerly a college basketball player ...more

44
166 137
Walt Frazier is listed (or ranked) 44 on the list The Best NBA Player Nicknames
"Clyde" Walter "Clyde" Frazier is an American former basketball player in the National Basketball Association. As their floor general, he led the New York Knicks to the franchise's only two ...more

45
250 77
Brian Scalabrine is listed (or ranked) 45 on the list The Best NBA Player Nicknames
jimmycricket added

The White Mamba

 Brian David Scalabrine is an American former professional basketball player who is currently a television analyst for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association. Raised in ...more

46
395 299
James Worthy is listed (or ranked) 46 on the list The Best NBA Player Nicknames
Big Game James James Ager Worthy is a retired American professional basketball player and current basketball commentator, television host, and analyst. Named as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History, ...more

47
444 269
Shawn Kemp is listed (or ranked) 47 on the list The Best NBA Player Nicknames
The Reignman Shawn Travis Kemp is a retired American professional basketball player, who played in the National Basketball Association for 14 seasons. He was a six-time NBA All-Star and a three-time All-NBA ...more

48
252 150
Ray Allen is listed (or ranked) 48 on the list The Best NBA Player Nicknames
Jesus Shuttlesworth Walter Ray Allen, Jr. is an American professional basketball player who is currently a free agent. He has previously played for the Milwaukee Bucks, Seattle SuperSonics, Boston Celtics and Miami ...more

49
293 183
Robert Horry is listed (or ranked) 49 on the list The Best NBA Player Nicknames
tbb911 added "Big Shot Bob" Robert Keith Horry Jr. is a retired American basketball player and current sports commentator. He played 16 seasons in the National Basketball Association, winning seven championships, the most ...more

50
282 198
Patrick Ewing is listed (or ranked) 50 on the list The Best NBA Player Nicknames
tbb911 added "The Beast of the East" Patrick Aloysius Ewing, Sr. is a Jamaican-American retired Hall of Fame basketball player. He played most of his career with the NBA's New York Knicks as their starting center and played briefly ...more