Best Nickname from Every NBA Team

For as long as there have been sports, there have been nicknames for players. 

From the early days of the NBA when George Mikan was dubbed Mr. Basketball, players have found other ways to be identified than what is on the back of their jerseys.

Sometimes the nickname is comprised of a variation of their name, often it is due to a skill that they possess or can even be something totally unrelated to basketball.

So in the spirit of Wilt, Dr J., Magic, The Mailman and The Hick from French Lick, here are the best nicknames for each current NBA team. 

Some of these might not be used as often now, but I have identified the player with the best nickname from each NBA team.

There is no way I could have listed them all. If you have some to add to the list, please let me know.

Atlanta Hawks

"Captain Kirk"

Kirk Hinrich was named Captain Kirk during his time with the Chicago Bulls. He was named team captain four years in a row. 

Also Playing for the Hawks: Joe Cool, J-Smoove, Radman, Horf

Boston Celtics

"The Truth"

Paul Pierce was nicknamed The Truth in 2001 when then Laker Shaquille O'Neal told a Boston reporter:

"Take this down. My name is Shaquille O'Neal, and Paul Pierce is the [expletive] truth. Quote me on that, and don't take nothing out. I knew he could play, but I didn't know he could play like this. Paul Pierce is the truth."

Also Playing for the Celtics: Ray-Ray, The Big Ticket, Air France

Charlotte Bobcats

"3D"

Boris Diaw is named 3D after his time in Phoenix where he showed that he was a versatile player who could play any position. He also wore the number three in Phoenix and his last name starts with the letter D.

Also Playing for the Bobcats: T-Time, Gana, The Flying Mexican

Chicago Bulls

"Pooh"

The best nickname for Derrick Rose was given to him by his grandmother when he was young. Another, D-Rose, simply involves his name.

Others have tried to give him names like the Windy City Assassin as well.

Also Playing for the Bulls: Dr. No, Rip, Booze, Brewdog, K2

Cleveland Cavaliers

"Sideshow Bob"

Anderson Varejao gets this nickname from a character on the Simpsons television cartoon. Varejao and Sideshow Bob both have a similar hair-do. 

Also Playing for the Cavaliers: Boobie

Dallas Mavericks

"The Matrix"

TNT announcer Kenny Smith gave Shawn Marion this name just before he started his NBA career. He earned the nickname for his athleticism, versatility and defensive intensity.

Also Playing for the Mavericks: J-Kidd, Baby Huey, The Goods, The German Sensation, The Jet, The Janitor, Redz

Denver Nuggets

"The Birdman"

Chris Andersen is known as The Birdman for his ability to fly high above the rim and all over the court. He has adopted this name well and often waves his arms like wings on his way down the court after a big play. 

He even has wings tattooed on the underside of each of his arms.

Also Playing for the Nuggets: The Penguin, The Drunken Dribbler, 

Detroit Pistons

"Gentle Ben"

Ben Gordon was called this in college, but it was more of a joke. Gordon has said that he was called this to motivate him. 

Other names for him include Air Gordon and Madison Square Gordon. 

Also Playing for the Pistons: Hot Rod, Prince of the Palace

Golden State Warriors

"The Mississippi Bullet"

Monta Ellis is from Mississippi and is known for his speed and quickness. He can get down the court and to the rim as fast as a bullet.

Also Playing for the Warriors: Nate the Great, Dre, DaWhite Howard

Houston Rockets

"The Ice Cream Man"

Luis Scola has been called the Ice Cream Man for the way that he successfully scoops the ball up towards the rim and into the basket. 

Also Playing for the Rockets: T-Mac, The Haitian Sensation 

Indiana Pacers

"Psycho T"

Tyler Hansbrough got tagged with the nickname Psycho T in college at the University of North Carolina, but he is anything but psycho. 

He is actually trying to move past the name, but it may end up sticking around for a while longer. 

Also Playing for the Pacers: Danny G, 2much4u, The X Factor

Los Angeles Clippers

"CP3"

Chris Paul has one of the most recognizable nicknames in the NBA, but there is more to it than just being his initials and Jersey number. 

CP3 actually came from a Paul family tradition where he, his father and older brother all share the same initials.

His father was CP1, his brother CP2 and Chris is CP3.

Also Playing for the Clippers: Mr. Big Shot, Tough Juice, Peanut

Los Angeles Lakers

"The Black Mamba"

Kobe Bryant gave himself this nickname in 2007 when he aspired to be like an African snake. Bryant explained, 

"The mamba can strike with 99% accuracy at maximum speed, in rapid succession. That's the kind of basketball precision I want to have."

Also Playing for the Lakers: Socks, Fish, TruWarrior, Spanish Fly, Horse

Memphis Grizzlies

"Z-Bo"

Zach Randolph has had the nickname Z-Bo since he was in Junior High School.

It does not stand for anything very significant and was just given to him by a friend. 

Also Playing for the Grizzlies: Money Mike, O.J., Euro Thug

Miami Heat

"The Boshtrich"

The Miami Heat have several great nicknames, but none better than The Boshtrich.

While he is known for his on court success, Bosh was given this nickname for the resemblance he bears to an ostrich at times when he gets emotional during games. 

Both Bosh and and an Ostrich will open their mouths wide and let out a loud yell when upset or excited. 

Also Playing for the Heat: King James, E-City, Flash, Alien Nation

Milwaukee Bucks

"Captain Jack"

Stephen Jackson was the team captain during his days in Golden State and it was natural that he was called Captain Jack. 

He is not called that name as much as he used to be, but perhaps he can regain the level of play that made him a captain earlier in his career. 

Also Playing for the Bucks: The Natural, Bogey

Minnesota Timberwolves

"Frodo"

Luke Ridnour no doubt earned his name for being a look alike to Frodo Baggins of The Lord of the Rings.

Earlier in his career, the youthful looking Ridnour's long, moppy hair made him look even more like a Hobbit. 

Also Playing for the Timberwolves: K-Love, The Definition, B-Easy, Ricky

New Jersey Nets

"The Landlord"

Shelden Williams earned this nickname in college at Duke University. 

It was his aggressive play and his shot blocking at the college level that helped him to gain this title. 

Also Playing for the Nets: Memo, J-Farm, Hump, D-Will

New Orleans Hornets

"Caveman"

Chris Kaman has been known as the Caveman since earlier in his career when his hair was long, he grew out his beard and he looked like he belonged on a GEICO commercial. 

The seven foot tall center also has the bad luck of having a name that rhymes with his nickname, making it easier to call him that. 

Also Playing for the Hornets: EO-50, Cookie Monster, Hobbit

New York Knicks

"Melo"

It is easy to understand why his nickname is Melo. 

Carmelo Anthony has joined the group of players who are known by just one name that is not their last name. 

Magic, Shaq, and Wilt all come to mind. 

Melo is in good company with that group.

Also Playing for the Knicks: Boom Dizzle, Bib, Stat

Oklahoma City Thunder

"Durantula"

Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma City Thunder has expressed that he likes the comparison to a Tarantula and that he likes this nickname.

He is a player that is going to be called a lot of things over the course of his career. It will be interesting to see which names stick. 

Also Playing for the Thunder: The Prophet, The Chef, Border Collie, Cheese

Orlando Magic

"Superman"

Dwight Howard created his image as Superman when he wore a cape in the 2008 NBA Slam Dunk Contest that he won. 

He returned with the cape the following year but ran into some Nate Robinson Kryptonite. 

He has been called Superman since that time.

Also Playing for the Magic: J-Rich, Lightening, The Poet, Glu

Philadelphia 76ers

"Iggy"

Although he does not like the shortened  version of his last name, it is going to be difficult for Andre Iguodala to shake this one. 

He has been known as Iggy since he got to the NBA, and probably has been called it his whole life. 

Also Playing for the 76ers: Hee, EB, Chapu, The Villain

Phoenix Suns

"Junkyard Dog"

During his time at Boston College, Jared Dudley earned the nickname "Junkyard Dog" for his toughness and nose for the ball.

His aggressive style of play and tough attitude led to a career in the NBA.

Also Playing for the Suns: Redd Hot, Hair Canada, G-Money, Buffet of Goodness

Portland Trail Blazers

"G-Force"

Gerald Wallace has definitely been a force to deal with over the last several years. He has played well since joining the Portland Trail Blazers and could become an All-Star this season. 

Also Playing for the Trail Blazers: Felts, Dirty, Cambyman, L-Train 

Sacramento Kings

"Jimmer"

James Taft Fredette has been called by his nickname since the day he was born. 

Fredette's mother wanted to call her son by a different name, and Jimmer was what she chose. 

He has already began to bring the Jimmermania that surrounded him last year at BYU to the Sacramento Kings. 

Also Playing for the Kings: Latin Assassin, Buck, Trout

San Antonio Spurs

"The Big Fundamental"

The is one of the most fitting nicknames in NBA history. 

Tim Duncan has worked himself into being the best power forward in the history of the league.

His hard work and attention to detail have shown for years as he has consistently won by using the basketball fundamentals instead of trying to be flashy. 

Also Playing for the Spurs: The Red Rocket, Gino, (The Former) Mr. Longoria

Toronto Raptors

"Il Mago" (The Magician)

Andrea Bargnani was given this nickname by former Benetton captain Riccardo Pittis in Europe who started using it just for fun. 

Later in Bargnani's career he was able to use a little bit of magic to become the first overall pick in the 2006 NBA Draft.

Also Playing for the Raptors: The Brazilian Bomber, The Ocho, Saul Bop

Utah Jazz

"Big Al"

There is no question why Al Jefferson has this nickname, it just fits him. 

After a rough start, he is matching his nickname not only because of his size, but also in the way that he is playing. 

Also Playing for the Jazz: Mel Mel the Abuser, J-Ho 

Washington Wizards

"Bulletproof"

To say that Andray Blatche has earned this nickname is and understatement. 

Shortly after he was drafted, Blatche was shot in the chest during an attempted carjacking. The bullet did not hit any vital organs and after a short time he was able to return to the court to play basketball. 

Also Playing for the Wizards: Sweet Lew, Bean Burrito, The Flying Czech