Can You Identify the NBA Team If We Give You the Nicknames of 3 of Their Legends?

By: Gavin Thagard
Estimated Completion Time
5 min
Can You Identify the NBA Team If We Give You the Nicknames of 3 of Their Legends?
Image: Wikicommons by Keith Allison / Wikicommons by Howcheng

About This Quiz

A player is in their first NBA season, and the hype surrounding them has been through the roof. There's a reason they were the number-one draft pick, after all. But the veterans in the league aren't quite ready to accept them. This isn't college anymore, and in the NBA, players have to earn the respect of their peers. That's exactly what they do. Game after game, they show why they were so highly-touted coming out of college. Then, they finally reach the national stage in a primetime game against the best team in the league. Not only do they show up to play, but they ball out, and that's when it comes — that coveted nickname that will stick with them for the rest of their career.

What exactly goes into a nickname? Sometimes, it's a spin on a player's real name like "Ice Trae" or "T-Mac." At other times, it reflects their style of play like "Magic" or "The Claw." For whatever reason a nickname gets crafted, it's always an honor that players embrace each night they step onto the court.

Are you prepared to see if you know these legends who earned nicknames as they established themselves as some of the biggest stars in the history of each franchise across the league? From players who shaped early dynasties to modern stars, this quiz covers them all. When you're ready, get started and see if you can match them to the correct team.

01_Kyrie Irving
Wikicommons by Erik Drost from United States
"The King," "Uncle Drew" and "K-Love" won the 2016 NBA title with which team?
Warriors
Celtics
Raptors
Cavaliers
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Kevin Love is the final member of the "Big-3" who won a title with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016 that's left on the roster. Kyrie Irving was the first to depart when he requested a trade before the 2017-18 season, while LeBron James left in free agency the following year.

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03_Alonzo Mourning2
Wikicommons by Keith Allison
What team had some historically dominant big men like "Zo," "CB4" and "The Big Aristotle"?
Rockets
Heat
Magic
Spurs
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Ever since Alonzo Mourning joined the Miami Heat in 1995, the team has consistently been in the NBA Playoffs. Though "Zo" never won a title with the Heat, both Shaquille O'Neal and Chris Bosh were able to deliver championships to Miami during their tenures there.

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04_Stephen Curry
Wikicommons by Noah Salzman
Do you know the super team that took the NBA by storm with stars like "The Baby-Faced Assassin," "Durantula" and "DrayMagic"?
Mavericks
Clippers
Warriors
Spurs
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Golden State Warriors absolutely dominated when the "Splash Brothers," Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, came together. The two stars started shooting three-pointers at an unprecedented rate, setting numerous NBA records along the way.

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05_Baylor, Chambers and West
Wikicommons by Utah Daily Chronicle
"The Logo," "Rabbit" and "The Record Book" helped establish what team as one of the top franchises in the NBA?
Raptors
Lakers
Knicks
76ers
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

When Elgin Baylor and Jerry West were on the team, the Los Angeles Lakers were almost guaranteed a spot in the NBA Finals each year, but they weren't able to get past the Boston Celtics during those early runs. West finally won a title after Baylor departed the team and Wilt Chamberlain joined him in Los Angeles.

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06_Hakeem2
Wikicommons by University of Houston Digital Library
Are you familiar with the team that put together a dominant roster in the '90s that included "The Dream," "Clyde the Glide" and "The Jet"?
Spurs
SuperSonics
Rockets
Nets
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Before they teamed up on the Houston Rockets, Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler played college basketball together at Houston, where they were part of "Phi Slama Jama." This basketball fraternity took the NCAA by storm with their athleticism and play above the rim.

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07_Kawhi Leonard
Wikicommons by Chensiyuan
"Vinsanity" and "T-Mac" were offensive juggernauts while "The Claw" dominated on defense for which NBA team?
Raptors
Thunder
Bucks
Clippers
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady certainly brought plenty of excitement to Toronto with their offensive skillsets, but neither player had much success in the playoffs. After trading for Kawhi Leonard, the Raptors finally won an NBA championship in 2019.

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08_Nowitzki
Wikicommons by Keith Allison
How well do you know the team that made an astounding playoff run in 2011 with stars like "The Kidd," "The German Race Car" and "The Matrix"?
76ers
Knicks
Bulls
Mavericks
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Slim for a big man, no one knew exactly what kind of player Dirk Nowitzki would be when the Dallas Mavericks drafted him with the ninth pick in the 1998 NBA Draft. It only took him a few seasons to show that he could be a star as he revolutionized the role of a power forward with his ability to hit shots from the outside.

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09_Tim Duncan2
Wikicommons by Keith Allison from Owings Mills, USA
Can you place "The Iceman," "The Admiral" and "The Big Fundamental" on the team where they would have been one of the greatest front courts in NBA history if they had played together?
Spurs
Bucks
Jazz
Pelicans
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Between 1998 and 2019, the San Antonio Spurs did not miss the NBA Playoffs, as they proved doubters wrong season after season. The one constant on all those teams was head coach Gregg Popovich, who is regarded as the ultimate team leader.

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10_Russell Westbrook
Wikicommons by Keith Allison from Hanover, MD, USA
During their first few years in the league, "The Brodie" set the pace that "Durantula" and "The Beard" had to follow as which team established itself as one of the best in the NBA?
Magic
Timberwolves
Thunder
Nets
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Oklahoma City Thunder had three soon-to-be MVPs on their roster, but even with all the talent, they weren't able to capture an NBA championship. Russell Westbrook was the last of the trio to remain on the Thunder before he was traded away before the 2019-20 season.

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11_Kawhi Leonard clippers
ESPN
Select the team that "The Claw," "Sweet Lou" and "PG-13" immediately made a championship contender when they came together in 2019.
Nuggets
Trail Blazers
Jazz
Clippers
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Los Angeles Clippers have always been treated as the little brother to their cross-town rival, the Lakers. However, they finally brought some disparity to Los Angeles in 2019 by signing Kawhi Leonard, who was the Finals MVP from the previous season.

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12_Hal Greer
Wikicommons by Sport Magazine Archive
They're recognized as some of the greatest offensive talents in NBA history, but will you be able to identify the team that had legends like "High Gear Greer," "Dr. J" and "The Answer"?
Bulls
76ers
Suns
Hawks
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In 1967, Hal Greer helped the 76ers win their first NBA title in Philadelphia, where the team has been located since 1963. Julius Irving added a second title for Philadelphia in 1983, when he was part of an All-Star caliber roster that included Moses Malone and Maurice Cheeks.

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13_Giannis Antetokounmpo2
Wikicommons by Keith Allison from Hanover, MD, USA
What team would have an all-world backcourt if "The Squid," "Big O" and "Ray-Ray" had played during the same era?
Bulls
Pistons
Bucks
Nets
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Even though the Milwaukee Bucks have had several legends pass through its halls like Oscar Robertson and Sidney Moncrief, the team's current superstar, Giannis Antetokounmpo, might end up being the greatest player to ever put on a Bucks uniform, as he already has an NBA MVP on his resume.

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14_Walt Frazier
Wikicommons by George Gojkovich
Do you know the team that won a title in '73 with "Mr. Memory," "Clyde" and "The Captain"?
Jazz
Knicks
Pelicans
Kings
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The New York Knicks faced off against the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1973 NBA Finals. The Lakers won Game 1, but then the Knicks bested the Lakers in the next four games to take home the second title in franchise history.

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15_John Stockton jazz
VintageDawkins via YouTube
"Stock" dished out passes to "The Mailman" while "Scarecrow" posted up in the corner for threes on which NBA team in the '90s?
Hawks
Timberwolves
Grizzlies
Jazz
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Playing for the Utah Jazz from 1984 through 2003, John Stockton led the league in assists for nine seasons, primarily delivering those passes to Karl Malone. By the time he retired, Stockton was the all-time leader in career assists.

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16_Michael Jordan_pippen
ESPN
Can you identify the team that nobody wanted to play when "His Airness," "Pip" and "The Worm" were on the court together?
Bulls
Pistons
Trail Blazers
Pacers
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Chicago Bulls won six championships in the '90s with Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen on the court. They might have won two more if Jordan hadn't retired for a season and a half to try his hand at professional baseball.

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17_Anthony Davis
Wikicommons by Keith Allison from Hanover, MD, USA
Despite several name changes, which team had stars like "The Brow," "CP3" and "Boom Dizzle" on its roster at different points?
Nets
Nuggets
Pelicans
Suns
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

After Anthony Davis requested a trade in the middle of the 2018-19 season, the New Orleans Pelicans worried that their franchise would completely fall apart with the departure of a superstar like Davis. However, luck was on their side as the Pelicans ended up with the No. 1 pick in the 2019 NBA Draft.

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18_Julius Erving Nets
Wikicommons by Sport Magazine Archives
Where did these legends play during their primes: "Ajax," "Dr. J" and "The Kidd"?
Timberwolves
Pistons
Hawks
Nets
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Nets were part of the American Basketball Association before it merged with the NBA in 1976. As a member of the ABA, the Nets won two championships, but they haven't been able to carry over that success into the NBA as of yet.

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19_Bill Walton – Trail Blazers
Wikicommons by National Basketball Association press photo
Are you familiar with the team that put "Big Red," "Dame Dolla" and "Clyde the Glide" on its roster for fans to enjoy over the years?
Trail Blazers
Magic
Hornets
Grizzlies
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Founded in 1970, it only took the Portland Trail Blazers seven years to win an NBA title. They won the championship behind the stellar play of Bill Walton, who won the Finals MVP after averaging 18.5 points, 19 rebounds and 5.2 assists.

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20_Nikola Jokic
Wikicommons by Keith Allison from Hanover, MD, USA
"Melo," "Mt. Mutombo" and "Joker" were all drafted by which NBA team?
Suns
Nuggets
Kings
Pacers
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Knowing they have a home-court advantage with the high altitude in Denver, the Nuggets built a roster that is two-deep at every position. The strategy allows them to compete against the conditioning of other teams, who struggle to keep their breath in the "Mile High City."

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21_Steve Nash
Wikicommons by Keith Allison from Baltimore, USA
"Two Time" became an MVP when he joined "The Little Tyrant" and "The Matrix." What team did they star on?
Suns
Hawks
Timberwolves
Kings
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

When Mike D'Antoni became the head coach of the Phoenix Suns in 2003, he implemented a new playing style that pushed the pace of the game to incredible limits. His style became known as "Seven Seconds or Less" because he wanted the offense to get a shot off within seven seconds of a possession.

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22_Dennis Rodman pistons2
Nobody Touches Jordan via YouTube
Select the team that dominated on defense in the late '80s with stars like "Zeke," "Joe D" and "Dennis the Menace."
Wizards
Pistons
Pacers
Magic
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In the late '80s, the Detroit Pistons put together a roster that became known as the "Bad Boys" due to their willingness to play nasty, physical basketball. Their rough style of play worked for them, as they won back-to-back NBA titles in 1989 and 1990.

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23_Van Arsdale and Pete Maravich
Wikicommons by Frank Bryan
Do you know the NBA team that had a defensive stud known as "The Thief," an all-world dunker called "The Human Highlight Reel" and a sharpshooter who went by "Pistol Pete"?
Grizzlies
Heat
Magic
Hawks
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Hawks franchise moved several times during their early years before finally settling in Atlanta in 1968. Previously, the Hawks were located in St. Louis and Milwaukee. The franchise was also in Buffalo for a season but went by the Bisons at the time.

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24_Kevin Garnett
Wikicommons by Keith Allison
Plenty of talented big men have come through the league, but which team did "The Big Ticket," "K-Love" and "KAT" play for?
Grizzlies
Hornets
Timberwolves
Wizards
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Flip Saunders is the longest-tenured head coach in the history of the Minnesota Timberwolves. His first stint with the team lasted from 1995 through 2005, and he returned to Minnesota for the 2014-15 season before Hodgkin's lymphoma took his life.

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25_Mike Bibby Kings
Wikicommons by MavsFan28
"C-Webb," "Peja" and "Bib" were fun to watch in the early 2000s. Will you be able to match them to the team they led to the playoffs?
Wizards
Kings
Pacers
Magic
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Sacramento Kings entered the 2002 NBA Playoffs with the No. 1 seed, losing only two games on their way to the Western Conference Finals. After some controversial calls made by the referees, the Kings lost in the Conference Finals to the Los Angeles Lakers.

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26_Mike Conley
Wikicommons by Verse Photography
How well do you know the team that had some great defenders in its history with players like "Money Mike," "Big Spain" and "The Grindfather"?
Magic
Pacers
Lakers
Grizzlies
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Grizzlies franchise started in 1995 in Vancouver, but they never won more than 23 games during their stint in Canada. The Grizzlies moved home base to Memphis in 2001 and finally made the playoffs during the 2003-04 season.

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27_Tom Gugliotta
Veoshock !! via YouTube
Can you identify the NBA team that "Googs," "Baby Huey" and "The Boy Wonder" suited up for?
Wizards
Hornets
Magic
Pacers
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Washington Wizards, known as the Bullets at the time, had most of its success in the 1970s when the team won four conference titles. The Wizards were able to capitalize on those championship opportunities in 1978 by defeating the Seattle SuperSonics for the only NBA championship in franchise history.

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28_Reggie Miller
Wikicommons by Bigmoe797
"The Knick Killer" spent time with "The Kid" and "The Dunking Dutchman" when he led which NBA team?
Bulls
Pistons
Pacers
Heat
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Reggie Miller is undoubtedly the biggest star in the history of the Indiana Pacers. He had several legendary moments in a Pacers uniform, including an incredible performance at the end of Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals in 1995, where he scored eight points in nine seconds to defeat the New York Knicks.

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29_Nikola Vucevic2
Wikicommons by Mike
Are you familiar with the team that had stars like "Penny," "G-Money" and "The Daily Double" pass through its locker room since the franchise was established in 1989?
Hornets
Cavaliers
Knicks
Magic
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Orlando Magic had only been established a few seasons when they received the No. 1 overall pick in the 1992 NBA Draft. They used that pick to select Shaquille O'Neal, who went on to become one of the best players in league history.

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30_Kemba Walker2
Wikicommons by Keith Allison from Hanover, MD, USA
"Big L," "Cardiac" and "KG" all started their NBA careers with what team?
Hornets
Nuggets
Jazz
Spurs
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Former NBA legend Michael Jordan became the majority owner of the Charlotte Hornets in 2010 after purchasing the franchise from Bob Johnson. However, since Jordan purchased the team, the Hornets have not made it out of the first round of the playoffs.

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31_Manu Ginóbili2
Wikicommons by Mike from Orlando, FL
Identify the NBA team that utilized two foreign stars in "The Fiery Francophile" and "Gino" to pair with "The Claw" after the the departure of a former legend.
Hawks
Raptors
Spurs
76ers
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The San Antonio Spurs have won five NBA championships with their first title coming in 1999. The Spurs most recent title was won in 2014 when they defeated the Miami Heat, who had superstars of their own like LeBron James and Dwyane Wade.

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32_Magic Johnson lakers
4 the Win via YouTube
The NBA was exciting to watch in the '80s with stars like "Magic," "Cap" and "Big Game James." Where did they team up together to put on a show each night?
Mavericks
Lakers
Celtics
Warriors
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

With Earvin "Magic" Johnson running the show, the "Showtime" Lakers were one of the most dominant teams in the '80s, winning five NBA championships during the decade. Johnson won three Finals MVPs during that run, establishing himself as one of the biggest stars in NBA history.

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02_Bill Russell
Wikicommons by Here
Can you identify the team that established a dynasty in the '60s and '70s with players like "The Secretary of Defense," "The Houdini of the Hardwood" and "Hondo"?
Celtics
Lakers
76ers
Knicks
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

With 11 NBA titles, Bill Russell has more championship rings than he has fingers to put them on. He won every one of those championships with the Boston Celtics, who currently have the most titles in the NBA.

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33_Kevin Garnett
Wikicommons by Keith Allison from Baltimore, USA
What team played a tough brand of basketball with "The Truth," "The Big Ticket" and "Sugar Ray" on the court together?
Warriors
Rockets
Thunder
Celtics
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

After winning 16 championships by 1986, the Boston Celtics went over 20 years without another NBA title. That changed in 2008 when the Celtics faced off against the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals. After a six-game series, the Celtics walked away with the 17th title in franchise history.

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34_Paul Arizin
Wikicommons by The Sporting News Archives
Do you know the NBA team that had three elite small forwards in "The Miami Greyhound," "Mully" and "Pitchin' Paul"?
Heat
Warriors
Magic
Bulls
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The history of the Warriors can be traced back to 1946 when they were a charter member of the Basketball Association of America, a precursor to the NBA. In the team's inaugural season, they won the BAA championship by defeating the Chicago Stags.

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35_Kobe Bryant
Wikicommons by Kobe_Bryant_7144.jpg: Sgt. Joseph A. Leederivative work: JoeJohnson2
"The Black Mamba" played beside two elite big men in "Diesel" and "Kung Pow" as he won five NBA titles with which team?
Lakers
Rockets
Hawks
76ers
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The late Kobe Bryant was arguably the greatest player to ever compete in a Lakers uniform, but his division with Shaquille O'Neal almost jeopardized his status as a legend in Los Angeles. After O'Neal was forced out of town, Bryant struggled to win another title until he was paired with Pau Gasol, who he won two more titles with.

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Wikicommons by Keith Allison / Wikicommons by Howcheng