Image: Wiki Commons by Keith Allison
About This Quiz
The Dream. Big Aristotle. The Human Highlight Film. Greek Freak.
The NBA is home to some of the most creative athlete nicknames of any sport on the planet. They are featured on posters, shoe commercials, and ads for everything from Gatorade to GoDaddy. Some classic NBA nicknames easily rank as the best in sports history, but how many can you name?
In this quiz, we'll give you the player and challenge you to choose the correct nickname. Spoiler alert: the four aliases we mentioned above are NOT in the quiz, but belong (respectively) to Hakeem Olajuwon, Shaquille O'Neal, Dominique Wilkins, and Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Good luck!
The Process
The Truth
“The Truth” moniker was given to Paul Pierce by Shaquille O’neal after he torched the Lakers for 42 points.
PP
The Stopper
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I.T.
Mr. Thomas
The King
Zeke
Thomas has several nicknames, including "Zeke," Pee Wee," and "Mr. Wonderful."
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Duncan Donuts
The Mailman
The Big Fundamental
Duncan wasn't flashy, but had some of the most solid fundamental skills in the game. His classic bank shot jumper was a prime example.
The Big Ticket
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The Answer
Iverson's nickname dated back to his high school days, where he was routinely the answer to whatever questions were asked of his team.
King of Philly
The Request
The Truth
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Frosty
The Snowman
The Postman
The Iceman
Gervin was nicknamed "Iceman" for his cool demeanor on the court.
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Birdman
The Dream
Larry Legend
Bird was known primarily as “Larry Legend,"" along with “The Great White Hope."
The Pearl
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White Chocolate
Williams was given the nickname ""White Chocolate"" due to his flashy style of play.
The Professor
Handles
Smooth Chocolate
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The Coat
The Truth
The Mitten
The Glove
Payton was given the nickname “The Glove” for incredible defense and ability to tally steals!
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The Prince
The Jester
The King
LeBron James was dubbed “The King” in high school after shattering numerous state records. It's also a play on "King James."
Bronny
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The Chosen One
The Admiral
Robinson served two years in the Navy before the NBA, so he was given “The Admiral” nickname.
The Iceman
The Reignman
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The Big Man
Big Man On Campus
Big Texas
Big Country
Big Country is right. Reeves was a 7'0", 275 pound rancher from Arkansas. Enough said
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Black Snake
Black Mamba
"The Mamba can strike with 99% accuracy at maximum speed, in rapid succession. That’s the kind of precision I want to have." - Kobe
Jellybean
Mr. 81
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Neo
SM31
The Flash
The Matrix
Marion was nicknamed “The Matrix” after his above-human capabilities started to resemble Neo from the sci-fi film series.
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Big Daddy
Mini Shaq
Big Baby
Due to Davis’ big size as a child, he often had to play with older kids. He also whined to the refs a lot, thus the “Big Baby” moniker.
Killer
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AND1
Skip to my Lou
Alston was named ‘Skip to my Lou’ after one of his famous moves he performed at Rucker Park and in AND1 Mixtapes.
Mixtape
Blender
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The Big Ticket
Garnett was named “The Big Ticket” because he was able to fill an arena despite the Timberwolves being at the bottom of the standings.
The Big T
Train
Tricycle
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3pt King
Jesus Shuttlesworth
Ray Allen starred in the film 'He Got Game,' where he played high school star Jesus Shuttlesworth. A nickname was born.
Ray Ray
He Got Game
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Gun
Shotgun
Pistol
The legendary point guard often shot the ball from his side, which is the origin of his “Pistol Pete” nickname.
Handgun
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Cupcake
Serpent
Mac and Cheese
KD
Kevin Durant has many nicknames - “KD” is simply his initials. He also goes by “Durantula” and “Slim Reaper.” Or "snake" from his haters.
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Dr. J
As a kid, Erving was coined the doctor after he would slice through the defense and operate on his opponents. Thus, Dr. J.
Z-Bo
The Black Panther
The Slammer
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French Freak
Flash
After Shaquille O'Neal joined the Miami Heat, “Superman” decided his sidekick needed a nickname and called him “Flash.”
Captain America
D The Great
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Handles
T-Time
Buggsy
Muggsy
Bogues got the nickname “Muggsy” for being smaller than his opponents, which gave him an advantage at stealing the ball.
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Run TMC
Quarter
Penny
Hardaway’s grandma called him Pretty, but in the countryside, that comes out as "Pweddy." People just took it from there.
G-Money
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SC30
Baby Faced Assassin
He was given the nickname “Baby Faced Assassin" because he was the kindest, cutest kid but could turn into an explosive basketball threat.
Mr. Under Armour
Cookin Curry
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Big Shot Bob
Horry earned the name “Big Shot Bob” after draining multiple shots in clutch scenarios, en route to seven championships.
The Big H
The Chief
Ace
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Dr. J
Space Jam
Magic
Air Jordan
Jordan was given the “Air Jordan” nickname for his association with the Nike brand, as well his gravity defying dunking ability.
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The Pearl
He earned his nickname ""Earl The Pearl"" on the streets of Philly.
The G.O.A.T
Moose
Mailman
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Dunkasaurus
Air Canada
Vinsanity's (another good name) early years with the Raptors provided numerous highlight reel dunks, prompting the "Air Canada" nickname.
Captain Canada
The Dino
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Hound
Stackhouse
Westwood
The Logo
Jerry West was a well-known and respected player in the NBA. His silhouette is currently the NBA logo.
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The Mailman
Malone earned the nickname “The Mailman” because he always delivered.
The Postman
The Iceman
Chairman of the Boards
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You Got:
/30
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