Author Topic: Are nicknames the thing of the past?  (Read 1532 times)

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Are nicknames the thing of the past?
« on: October 11, 2018, 10:06:33 AM »

Offline Androslav

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When is fell in love with the NBA in the mid 90'ies and started to follow the league, there were many great players with iconic nicknames. The Mailman, the Admiral, The Glove, Grandma, the Reignman, the Glyde, the Chief, the Answer, the Dream...
I feel like out of the truly best players only Ewing didn't have one.
It was the thing back then.
Some were prefixes, like Sir Charles and Air Jordan,
Some, like Magic, were better known by their nicknames than their first names.
Penny and Mookie come to mind.
Even some lesser players had good ones. Guys like "Junkyard dog" and "Big Country"

Then as millennia was coming to its end, less and fewer nicknames were there.
Grant Hill, Steve Nash, Jason Kidd...
In 2000's some great players turned to self-proclaimed nicknames, Mamba and King for example.
Seemed weak to me then and now.
Oh yes, there were nicknames like K-Mart, C-Webb, and D-Will, but I don't even consider them as nicknames.
Shaq gave a lot of nicknames to himself and a good one to PP - The Truth.
And then - nothing.
KD? Durantula? it just didn't stick. not organic enough.
I'd say that the best nick in the game belongs to the pair - the Splash brothers.

BTW, none of our players have any nicks.
Big Al? Come on, let's be real.

So, share it with me, what happened with the nicknames?
"The joy of the balling under the rims."

Re: Are nicknames the thing of the past?
« Reply #1 on: October 11, 2018, 10:16:19 AM »

Offline slamtheking

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 ;)
When is fell in love with the NBA in the mid 90'ies and started to follow the league, there were many great players with iconic nicknames. The Mailman, the Admiral, The Glove, Grandma, the Reignman, the Glyde, the Chief, the Answer, the Dream...
I feel like out of the truly best players only Ewing didn't have one.
It was the thing back then.
Some were prefixes, like Sir Charles and Air Jordan,
Some, like Magic, were better known by their nicknames than their first names.
Penny and Mookie come to mind.
Even some lesser players had good ones. Guys like "Junkyard dog" and "Big Country"

Then as millennia was coming to its end, less and fewer nicknames were there.
Grant Hill, Steve Nash, Jason Kidd...
In 2000's some great players turned to self-proclaimed nicknames, Mamba and King for example.
Seemed weak to me then and now.
Oh yes, there were nicknames like K-Mart, C-Webb, and D-Will, but I don't even consider them as nicknames.
Shaq gave a lot of nicknames to himself and a good one to PP - The Truth.
And then - nothing.
KD? Durantula? it just didn't stick. not organic enough.
I'd say that the best nick in the game belongs to the pair - the Splash brothers.

BTW, none of our players have any nicks.
Big Al? Come on, let's be real.

So, share it with me, what happened with the nicknames?
to be honest, most of the names I call the players in the league aren't able to be displayed on a "family friendly" site like this. 

Re: Are nicknames the thing of the past?
« Reply #2 on: October 11, 2018, 10:30:14 AM »

Offline Kaz

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Everyone just has boring nicknames with their initials and/or numbers like a bunch of robots.

CP3, PG13, KAT, R2D2, etc.

Some guys just have shortened names like Russ, Melo, Steph, Bron

Re: Are nicknames the thing of the past?
« Reply #3 on: October 11, 2018, 10:39:23 AM »

Offline bdm860

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The non-name/number related nicknames are still out there:

The Brow
The Process
Greek Freak
Boogie
Scary Terry
Dancing Bear
Uncle Drew
Sauce Castillo
Swaggy P

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Re: Are nicknames the thing of the past?
« Reply #4 on: October 11, 2018, 10:41:54 AM »

Offline jambr380

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Everyone just has boring nicknames with their initials and/or numbers like a bunch of robots.

CP3, PG13, KAT, R2D2, etc.

Some guys just have shortened names like Russ, Melo, Steph, Bron

I agree with this, but I do think PG13, JET, and [especially] AK47 are fine because they have another meaning outside of just their names/numbers.

It's possible nicknames will make a return, but I don't know that we'll be seeing a return of The Human Highlight Film or The Microwave anytime soon.

Re: Are nicknames the thing of the past?
« Reply #5 on: October 11, 2018, 10:42:24 AM »

Offline Sophomore

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Everyone just has boring nicknames with their initials and/or numbers like a bunch of robots.

CP3, PG13, KAT, R2D2, etc.

Some guys just have shortened names like Russ, Melo, Steph, Bron

LOL - R2D2.

Re: Are nicknames the thing of the past?
« Reply #6 on: October 11, 2018, 10:45:05 AM »

Offline Androslav

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The non-name/number related nicknames are still out there:

The Brow
The Process
Greek Freak
Boogie
Scary Terry
Dancing Bear
Uncle Drew
Sauce Castillo
Swaggy P
Good list.
I like the Process, Freak and the best one out of the bunch Boogie. As more people say Boggie than DeMarcus.
Swaggy P is self proclaimed.

Scary Terry is just a rhyme to me.
Dancing bear I can't bear as he isn't any good.
"The joy of the balling under the rims."

Re: Are nicknames the thing of the past?
« Reply #7 on: October 11, 2018, 10:47:20 AM »

Offline fairweatherfan

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If you've never seen this, Chinese fans have some AMAZING nicknames for NBA guys. Check this out, it's well worth the read:

https://deadspin.com/sprout-god-porcelain-mamba-and-six-step-lebron-the-s-1825949113

Make sure to stick around at least until Curry's.

Re: Are nicknames the thing of the past?
« Reply #8 on: October 12, 2018, 02:55:50 AM »

Offline Androslav

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If you've never seen this, Chinese fans have some AMAZING nicknames for NBA guys. Check this out, it's well worth the read:

https://deadspin.com/sprout-god-porcelain-mamba-and-six-step-lebron-the-s-1825949113

Make sure to stick around at least until Curry's.
Curry - elementary school student - great nick :)
"The joy of the balling under the rims."

Re: Are nicknames the thing of the past?
« Reply #9 on: October 12, 2018, 03:23:01 AM »

Offline GreenEnvy

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Everyone just has boring nicknames with their initials and/or numbers like a bunch of robots.

CP3, PG13, KAT, R2D2, etc.

Some guys just have shortened names like Russ, Melo, Steph, Bron

I agree with this, but I do think PG13, JET, and [especially] AK47 are fine because they have another meaning outside of just their names/numbers.

It's possible nicknames will make a return, but I don't know that we'll be seeing a return of The Human Highlight Film or The Microwave anytime soon.

AK47 will always be one of my faves.

I mean, he had to pick that number just for the nickname, right?
CELTICS 2024

Re: Are nicknames the thing of the past?
« Reply #10 on: October 12, 2018, 04:42:48 AM »

Offline GetLucky

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It’s too bad Wiggins sucks. I really loved “Maple Jordan.”

Re: Are nicknames the thing of the past?
« Reply #11 on: October 12, 2018, 06:23:03 AM »

Offline Celtics4ever

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Let's hope so...

Re: Are nicknames the thing of the past?
« Reply #12 on: October 12, 2018, 06:51:18 AM »

Offline Surferdad

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Everyone just has boring nicknames with their initials and/or numbers like a bunch of robots.

CP3, PG13, KAT, R2D2, etc.

Some guys just have shortened names like Russ, Melo, Steph, Bron
Yup.  "branding" is bigger than ever among NBA players, it's just that the names today aren't very good.

Re: Are nicknames the thing of the past?
« Reply #13 on: October 12, 2018, 08:23:17 AM »

Offline Moranis

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I think the Beard is pretty good though I wonder if he shaves it off, it will stick.
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Re: Are nicknames the thing of the past?
« Reply #14 on: October 12, 2018, 08:35:07 AM »

Offline jambr380

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Everyone just has boring nicknames with their initials and/or numbers like a bunch of robots.

CP3, PG13, KAT, R2D2, etc.

Some guys just have shortened names like Russ, Melo, Steph, Bron

I agree with this, but I do think PG13, JET, and [especially] AK47 are fine because they have another meaning outside of just their names/numbers.

It's possible nicknames will make a return, but I don't know that we'll be seeing a return of The Human Highlight Film or The Microwave anytime soon.

AK47 will always be one of my faves.

I mean, he had to pick that number just for the nickname, right?

It always brought me back to my glory days of playing Goldeneye on the N64. Like Trevelyan or Boris using the KF7 Soviet or AR33 Assault Rifle. I don't think anybody accidentally chooses #47, but that's okay - Kirilenko was the man!

I think the Beard is pretty good though I wonder if he shaves it off, it will stick.

Maybe ironically. I always thought that AD was actually considering shaving off his brow when he entered the league, but then was stuck when he became known by his nickname. It seems these guys will have to wait until after they retire if they desire a new look.