Fantasy Basketball Team Names: 10 Names to Get the Wheels Rolling
Face it, we all live for fantasy sports. Football, baseball, hockey, it doesn't really matter. This type of stuff is now an integral part of being a fan in today's society.
With the NBA season on the horizon, it's time for our favorite preseason tradition: Naming our teams.
Unless you invented a moniker of your own, you're probably going to name your impending fantasy squad after a player you draft. Looking at some of the culprits available, let's get the wheels rolling and check out 10 fantasy basketball team names you can use this season.
We're talking rookies, veterans, front-office personnel and more. Enjoy this list and don't forget to let us know some of your favorite team names in the comment section below.
Do You Believe in Dragic?
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Who doesn't love those pesky, high-scoring Phoenix Suns? Led by guard Goran Dragic, the Suns turned into one of the most exciting teams in basketball last season.
If you bought into the hype and decided to make Dragic a big part of your fantasy squad, honor him with this team name. Come on, let's all channel the melodic tones of Oz Striker from American Pie: "Do you believe in Dragic?"
Duran Durant
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Duran Duran the band was one of the most diabolically popular groups of the '80s. Their big hair and infectious pop sound cluttered the airwaves and changed culture at the time.
Kevin Durant may not have flowing locks or play guitar for a living, but he's become a cultural magnet in his own right. The only real tie between Durant and Duran Duran is that they both existed at one point in the '80s.
Who cares though, it's still a cool name. "Duran Durant" is a moniker you can't miss out on if the Oklahoma City star becomes the leader of your fantasy roster this season.
At the very least, hopefully by playing Duran Duran's greatest hits loudly, the curse on KD will end and he'll recover quickly from his injured foot.
Noel Diggity
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Nerlens Noel's regular-season NBA debut is coming. Ever since we watched the high-top fade, sleeve-wearing forward savagely block shots at the University of Kentucky, fans have yearned to find out if his talents can translate over to the league.
Noel missed the entire 2013-14 NBA season recovering from a knee injury, but with that ailment now behind him, he's ready to take on the City of Brotherly Love. If you land Noel on your fantasy squad, pay tribute to the hype.
Throw his first name in front of the 1996 R&B hit "No Diggity" by Blackstreet, and voila, you have your new team name: "Noel Diggity."
I Dream of Jeanie
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Picking your fantasy basketball team name is always about how much cleverness you can pack into a certain amount of characters. If you're part of Los Angeles Lakers Nation, it's time you named your roster after the woman who should be running the team, Jeanie Buss.
"I Dream of Jeanie" is ready for a championship run. A championship run that begins with Kobe Bryant. Don't worry about Bryant's health. Take advantage of his silky jumper and propensity for getting to the hoop.
With Jeanie Buss running the show, you're bound for fantasy glory this season.
Jrue Grit
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Don't sleep on New Orleans Pelicans guard Jrue Holiday. Before he went down with an injury last season, he was averaging 14.3 points and 7.9 assists per game.
The 24-year-old guard has always been productive throughout the course of his five-year career. As he continues to work his way back from injury, fantasy owners may be getting themselves steal landing him in the draft.
Be an outlaw like John Wayne and take a chance on Jrue. And while you're at it, go ahead and name your team after the classic Wayne film True Grit. Except, you know, get creative with it. Swap out the word true and replace it with Jrue.
The Big Deng Theory
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Without LeBron James in South Beach, the Miami Heat will turn to other options for scoring. Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade should be in for big seasons, but another player who could turn a few heads is forward Luol Deng.
The 6'9" former Duke Blue Devil has always found a way to produce on the hardwood. His career average of 16 points per game is a testament to the work he's done with the Chicago Bulls and Cleveland Cavaliers. A talented team like the Heat should open things up even more for Deng.
This new-look version of "The Big Three" isn't quite as appealing as it was with King James, but that doesn't mean fantasy owners should stray away from No. 9.
When naming your roster this season, go against the grain. Forget all of the early draft picks you collected. Use your pick of Deng to make people recognize your savvy ways as a general manager.
Not only should he help you win games, but by tying his name to hit sitcom The Big Bang Theory, you may also wind up with the best name in your league.
I Did It All for the Rookie
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Are you playing in a dynasty league this year? Take an ode from Limp Bizkit and do it all for the rookie.
Your choices are limitless. Andrew Wiggins, Jabari Parker, Julius Randle. The list is never-ending like a windy road in the middle of Arizona.
Dynasty leagues are all about long-term value. What better way is there to bolster that value than by drafting these up-and-coming stars?
It may be 2014, but naming your team after a Limp Bizkit record will never go out of style. So what are you waiting for? It's time to don your red New York Yankees cap and get down to business.
Ticket Okafor
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Don't let the fact that Emeka Okafor is still a free agent affect your decision to use this team name. Based on the creepiest thing to hit television since Poochinski—the Ticket Oak—"Ticket Okafor" is a winner.
Bleacher Report's Tyler Conway talked about the uphill climb Okafor is facing if he wants to play again:
"The 2004 No. 2 overall pick missed all of last season with a herniated disc in his neck, an injury that could ultimately cost him his NBA career. He spent 2013-14 as a member of the feel-good Phoenix Suns in salary only, with his insurance-covered contract being bandied about in trade talks.
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Whether he gets another chance or not is a moot point. "Ticket Okafor" is a fitting way to honor the former UConn star.
Missing Parson's Report
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Beating your opponents down in fantasy is one of the most satisfying feelings in the world.
With that in mind, here's an idea for everybody who drafted Chandler Parsons: Create a fake missing persons report with your opponent’s team name on it and send to the office of your league's commissioner.
Except, with Parsons sniping from three-point range, call it a "missing Parson's report." All you have to do is Photoshop Mark Cuban's face on it and bam, you now have a way to bother everybody in your fantasy guild.
Freaks and Greeks
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Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo is a 19-year-old athletic marvel. At 6'9", he has all of the physical traits needed to be a dominant player on both sides of the ball.
Dubbed "The Greek Freak" by fans and analysts alike, Antetokounmpo's average draft position of 111.7, via Fantasy Pros, could turn out to be quite the steal for unsuspecting owners.
Giannis has a lot to work on, but based on the personnel around him, the opportunity will certainly be there for him to contribute in a big way.
Dust off your DVD collection, because it's time to relive the greatness that was Freaks and Geeks—Seth Rogen, James Franco and Jason Segel's collaborative TV show that gained a cult following after it went off the air in the summer of 2000.
Calling your team "Freaks and Greeks" is the only way to go if you happen to secure Antetokounmpo on draft night.
Unless noted otherwise, all NBA stats and information come courtesy of ESPN.com.
