1 spot for several reasons. After all, isnt Zeke actually short for Ezekiel? Cute Basketball Nicknames Towerco Pioneers Hungla Devils Phylerdo Seconix Time Lord Friars Bulldogs The Big Ticket Knockin' Knickerbockers Blue Devils Notpa Enjoythin Gang Green Giant Salukis Elephants Hope Nip The Answer Brewers Spiristan Trojans Th Ginger Giant Scorpions Spartans Bad News Bumble Bees Roneou Cobras Car Names For Girls Paltive 49ers. Nederlands. For specific names of live or costumed mascots, see List of U.S . Updated for 2022-23! The moniker was bestowed by Celtics guard Danny Ainge after Johnson scored 34 points, including 22 in the fourth quarter, to lift the Pistons past Boston in a 1985 playoff game. Dub Shots. The native of Saint-Quentin, France, has averaged 2.2 blocks per game over his NBA career and led the league with 2.6 blocks per game in the 2016-17 season. He also might have been guilty of cherry picking once or twice. Dawkins played 14 NBA seasons with the 76ers, Nets, Jazz and Pistons, averaging 12.0 points and 6.1 rebounds per game. That nickname was taken a step further to describe the sound of a Tommy Gun. Make it your own. . Think of another interpretation of one of your top picks, and you'll have an incredible basketball ball team name right away. Black Widows - For a group of girls that don't take crap from men. Louisville hasn't been home to a pro basketball team since the late 1970s when the Kentucky Colonels, a member of the ABA, folded after the ABA was absorbed by the NBA. Avery Johnson was the floor general for the Spurs as they fought through the playoff gantlet of Western Conference opponents in the 1990s. 6.) 2) The Wet Dream Team. That's why it's essential to choose a name that represents your brand and your players. Basketball Court Dimensions and Hoop Height. Colorado 14ers. Clear and Present Granger. The Touchdown Titans. Gervin played in 12 All-Star Games in his career (three ABA, nine NBA) and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1996. And just as Maxwells nickname was inspired by a movie (see No. Jordan won six NBA championships and five MVP awards. Larry Bird certainly is Larry Legend, a 12-time All-Star and three-time NBA champion who happened to be one of the deadliest clutch shooters in the history of the sport. Here are some frequently asked questions on basketball team names. Odom and Odomer. Karl Malone - The Mailman 10. The Mid Vermont Christian School (Vt.) girls basketball team was scheduled to play Long Trail School (Vt.) on February 21 as part of a tournament. Da Ball Hog. A girls' basketball team name must show dominance, strength, nobility. Magic Johnson and the Lesser Wizards. Good Fantasy Basketball Team Names. Stephon Marbury was bestowed with his nickname as a youth in the Coney Island section of Brooklyn. Another Gobert nickname paying homage to his home country is the Stifle Tower. More recently, Cousins has preferred to leave the nickname behind, implying that it accompanied a loss of privacy during his pro career. 0% Risk. Earvin Johnson - Magic 3. 5.) Black Panthers - Name yourselves after badass civil rights activists. The Basketball Team is also known as "Vatreni" and their uniforms always display some form of red and white checkers. Tom Heinsohn averaged 18 shots per game over the course of his nine-year NBA career with the Celtics, earning the logical handle Tommy Gun. KATmandu. But the origin of his nickname actually goes back much further. After all, it was that hard-nosed mentality that allowed him to play 13 NBA seasons with Milwaukee, Atlanta, Portland and Charlotte. Drexler went to two Final Fours with the University of Houston, won a gold medal with the 1992 Olympic Dream Team and captured the 1995 NBA championship with his hometown Rockets. He was named an All-Star in all but one of his 15 pro seasons the lone exception being 1994-95, when he returned from minor league baseball late in the NBA season. ", "Heat players nickname themselves "The Heatles", "Dion Waiters wants backcourt partnership with Goran Dragic be called 7-Eleven", "Top Moments: Twin Towers ride off to sunset with another title - NBA.com", "Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Announces Class of 2010", "La BA sufre ms de la cuenta ante los marfileos", "Turkey's '12 Giant Men' Taking Giant Steps in 2010 FIBA World Championship", "Chemist Warehouse Opals Basketball Australia", "I Team: County Receives Nothing From Heat, Arena Revenue", "Fowler: Charlotte Hornets hysteria was real, all right", "Take a look at the Warriors' new $1.4 billion San Francisco arena what's said to be the nicest arena in sports", "Praying for the Home Team in Oklahoma City", "Call it 'the Crypt': Where does Crypto.com Arena rank among all NBA arena names? Lone Wolf Pack Slay-Ups Silverbacks Alpha Males This basketball team name would also work for a tag team wrestling name. Sister Jean, the 103-year-old nun who became a #MarchMadness icon as the chaplain for the Loyola Chicago Ramblers men's basketball team, talks to @reevewill about her new memoir, "Wake Up with . Indeed, Worthy increased his output in scoring, rebounding and assists in 143 postseason games (21.1 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 3.2 apg) from his career regular-season averages (17.6 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 3.0 apg). Anfernee Hardaway is far better known by his nickname than his birth name. In addition to the Round Mound of Rebound, Barkleys physique also earned him nicknames such as Boy Gorge, the Crisco Kid, the Leaning Tower of Pizza, the Chuck Wagon and the Flying Safe. 74.) As a rookie in 1999, Shawn Marion impressed TNT analyst and former NBA point guard Kenny Smith so much during a preseason game that Smith nicknamed Marion after the popular movie for his freakish athleticism and versatility. Basketball Team Names All these cool basketball team names will supremely impress you. Nat Clifton was a basketball pioneer, a former Harlem Globetrotter who became the first Black player under contract in the NBA, when the Globies sold his contract to the New York Knicks in 1950. One of the most impactful sixth men in NBA history, Vinnie Johnson earned his nickname for his ability to come off the bench and get hot immediately. See how the Colorado 14ers name was derived. 4 pick in the 1996 NBA draft. That led to his earning a nickname with an homage to noted magician and escape artist Harry Houdini. The Dazzling Dribblers. Basket Hounds. The King and I. Gervin didnt care for the illicit connotation, so Taylor tweaked the moniker to Iceman. Sir Charles - Charles Barkley earned this nickname due to being an outspoken, charismatic, humorous, and controversial figure on a social level and basketball court. Kevin Garnett earned his moniker as the first true franchise player in Minnesota Timberwolves history. ONeal is one of the great centers in basketball history. Billy Paultz apparently earned his famed nickname during his collegiate career at St. Johns because of a fondness for fast food. The Dunkin' Dudes Hoop-la Heroes Three Pointer Magnets Basket Beasts The Alley Cats Swish Squad Fast Break Fetishists Flamin' Dunks The 3 Ballers Air Apparents Triple Threats Foul Mouthed Funsters The Rim Rattlers Slam Dunk Slammers Full Court Pressures Most are related to professional basketball, although a few notable nicknames from the U.S. college game are included. The Thunder portion of the moniker was appropriate; Dawkins broke two backboards with explosive dunks in a span of a few weeks in 1979. 2.) The observer seemingly was uninspired by Floyds level of attentiveness and supposedly yelled, Get that kid out of the game. Williamson played 12 NBA seasons with Sacramento, Toronto, Detroit and Philadelphia. Or, Chicken Hoop For The Soul. Pervis Ellison was dubbed Never Nervous Pervis during his time at the University of Louisville, where he averaged 15.8 points per game and helped the Cardinals win the 1986 NCAA championship. Michael Jordan had yet to take the court as a professional when his agent, David Falk, coined the name Air Jordan for a potential line of Nike sneakers. Also, many teams add a team color to a nickname to make it more specific and distinct, e.g., "Eagles" could become "Golden Eagles" or "Knights" becomes . Welcome Back Korver. Las Vegas Bandits (slot machines) Las Vegas Bullets (if you move the Wizards there--if you play Texas Hold'em, you know this name works) Vancouver Vipers. Erving, who won two ABA titles with the Nets and one NBA championship with the 76ers, also wielded toughness on his way to three ABA MVP awards and one NBA MVP. Garnett went on to win the 2008 NBA championship with Boston and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2020. Ray Allen famously portrayed blue-chip recruit Jesus Shuttlesworth in the 1998 film He Got Game, and the nickname stuck. Fill in the nicknames for all 364 NCAA Division I basketball teams. Italiano. The biggest villain of the Detroit Pistons legendary Bad Boys teams of the 1980s, Bill Laimbeer drew the ire of opponents and fans throughout the NBA with his sharp elbows and bruising style of play. Marvin Barnes earned his nickname for a series of inadvisable decisions off the court. So here is the list of cool team names for you: 31. Michigan Wolverines men's basketball team, 199293, Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball team, 199596, United States men's national basketball team, Australia women's national basketball team, New Zealand men's national basketball team, "League MVP "Double A" Back To The Mill Rats", Trevor Ariza#Los Angeles Lakers (20072009), "A Pete Rose by Any Other Name Would Play as Sweet", "Harrison Barnes' "Black Falcon" nickname came from ESPN Tar Heel Times 1/28/2011", "How Wizards' Bradley Beal got his 'Big Panda' nickname", "Phoenix Suns Michael 'Super Cool Beas' Beasley Busted For PossessionAgain", "Myth: Chauncey Billups is really 'Mr. Raptors 905. Creative Squad Names for Football Teams. Follow. He led the NBA with 30.3 points per game in the 1985-86 season and averaged 24.8 points per game during 15 NBA seasons with the Hawks, Clippers, Celtics, Spurs and Magic. Check out these catchy girls' basketball team names: Palmetto Flight. Deutsch. See More by this Creator. Here are some funny basketball team names ideas. (Thank you very much in German). 100 Fantasy Basketball Team . 6 overall in 1998 and subsequently traded for Dirk Nowitzki. Whether a fusion of Stephon and Marbury or a predictor of his future fame, the handle makes sense. You are on our Basketball Team Names page. Sometimes you can draw inspiration from professional leagues. 4.) The San Diego State alumnus played 15 pro seasons with the Clippers, Sonics, Cavaliers, 76ers and Nets. But his nickname actually was handed down within his family. Downtown Freddie Brown garnered his nickname for his shooting range and ability during a 13-season career with the Seattle SuperSonics. Atlanta Hawks Boston Celtics Brooklyn Nets Charlotte Hornets Chicago Bulls Cleveland Cavaliers Dallas Mavericks Denver Nuggets Detroit Pistons Golden State Warriors Houston Rockets Indiana Pacers Los Angeles Clippers Los Angeles Lakers Most are based on player names. Best Basketball Team Names These are some best name ideas for basketball teams. Comments. These days, Joe Bryant is better known as the father of Kobe Bryant. 135.) Good. You might like: All you need to know about Kawhi Leonard. Even though Julius Erving operated with surgical precision on the court, his famous nickname dates to his high school days on Long Island. Stacey Augmon earned this nickname because his long limbs and fluid athleticism made him seem almost elastic especially when stretching out for one of his signature dunks. Shockers become Lady Shockers, or the Cardinals become the Lady Cardinals. You get the idea. Shady Dunkers. Braindead Zombies - You can't reason with these monsters. He was named an All-Star in every one of his 16 professional seasons five in the ABA and 11 in the NBA. But Joe had a solid pro career, and a pretty sweet nickname, in his own right. He won two NBA titles with the Rockets. Creative. Thomas led Indiana to the 1981 NCAA championship, sparked the Pistons to two NBA titles, earned 12 All-Star invitations and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2000. Flying Squirrels. Thematic Team Names. ", "Analyzing the Splash Brothers in a Whole New Way", "Rockets History 198385: How Do You Stop Two 7-Footers? Here are good fantasy basketball team names. Typically, it doesnt count if you give yourself a nickname. Check out Maurice Cheeks assisting a young singer who forgets National Anthem (heartwarming video). Phil Jackson enjoyed a solid NBA playing career, winning the 1973 championship with the New York Knicks. These nicknames represent different aspects that make a player great, but the one thing they all have in common is their ethnicity. No part of this site may be reproduced in whole or in part in any manner without the permission of the copyright owner. The Midnight Slammers. Basketball Swish Kebabs The Hot Shots Big Net Worth BasketBrawlers 99 Problems But a Swish Ain't One Drilling Me Softly Alley-Oops Pippen Ain't Easy Sky's the Limit The Traveling Men Shooting Stars Football Back That Pass Up Loose Ends No Punt Intended 1. (We also like James of Thrones.). 111 Best Basketball Team Names (Intramural, Girls, Youth, etc) Cathy Desmet Updated July 10, 2022 Originally invented in 1891 as an indoor winter activity for members of the YMCA Training School, [1] basketball has now grown into one of the most popular sports in the world. The ultimate basketball nickname belongs to former Nets and 76ers Hall of Fame player Julius Erving. The former University of Louisville and Utah Jazz star received the nickname from his brother in a nod to the Parliament-Funkadelic song Dr. Basketball team names with a professional influence are popular but sometimes work effectively. He was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2011. Create Account. While Robinson was widely known as the Admiral for his service in the Navy, Johnson earned a moniker right in line with San Antonios military history. Przybilla averaged 6.2 rebounds over 592 career regular-season games. Arenas was a three-time All-Star selection. For a few memorable weeks in 2012, Jeremy Lin rose from basketball obscurity to light up the NBA. He lived up to the moniker by shooting an NBA-best 44.3% on 3-point attempts in 1979-80, the season in which the league adopted the 3-point shot. Howard's End. It wasnt Duncans only nickname, though. The band later titled its debut album Ten as a nod to Blaylocks jersey number. You might like NBA Players by the Numbers. Most are related to professional basketball, although a few notable nicknames from the U.S. college game are included. Mahinmi Vice. There are more basketball team names from leagues all over the planet. On Feb. 4, 2012, the Knicks had lost 11 of their past 13 games, and Lin had barely seen action for the club. Unibrow (Anthony Davis, pictured above), Chef (Stephen Curry), Splash Brothers (Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson), Frank the Tank (Frank Kaminsky), Polish Hammer (Marcin Gortat), 3-D (Dennis Scott), Smush (William Parker), Lobster (Dwayne Schintzius), Mighty Mouse (Damon Stoudamire), Big Country (Bryant Reeves), Vanilla Thunder (Pat Connaughton), Tru Warier (Metta World Peace), Mayor (Fred Hoiberg) and Waterbug (Greg Grant). The nickname also was featured on a popular poster in the early 1990s. The following is a full list of all 30 teams in alphabetical order, from Atlanta Hawks to Washington Wizards. Hes sleeping!. Mlkvy averaged 5.8 points and 3.3 rebounds in 31 games with the Warriors after a collegiate career in which he averaged 21.1 points and 17.4 rebounds for the Owls. Get that kid out of the game. You might lack somewhere in your performance, but other teams will still respect you for having such a cool team name. 5) Ball So Hard University. Were not exactly sure when Isiah Thomas was dubbed Zeke or who applied the handle. Bill Mlkvy played just one NBA season, 1952-53 with the Philadelphia Warriors, but his awesome nickname lives on in perpetuity. Get it?) Clearly, those methods were successful; he guided the Bulls and Lakers to a combined 11 league championships. The four-time NBA All-Star and current University of Memphis mens basketball coach has explained that his grandmother originated the nickname, albeit unintentionally. Hakeem Olajuwon - The Dream 5. Funkenstein, he received the nickname from legendary musician Stevie Wonder, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Below are some cute names for basketball court: Red Raiders Golden Panthers The Benchwarmers The Stags Bosom Buddies Backbenchers Black Bears Little Giants Number 1 Fan The Wolf Pack Ball Hoggers Stampede Skywalkers The Leopard Skins AmazeBalls Running Rebels The Wingfoots Angels The Darko Knight Grasshoppers Heart Stoppers Bobcats The nickname followed Majerle to the NBA, with a slight tweak from Dan Thunder Majerle to Thunder Dan. Seed of Stuckey. One common technique is to add "Ladies" as a preface for a women's or girls' team. Payton won the 2006 NBA championship with Miami and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2013. Julius Ervine - Dr. J, The Doctor 2. That, my friends, is a top-five name. Over the years, Laimbeer also was referred to as His Heinous, a street thug and an ax murderer.. 1 overall by the Warriors in 1980, but it wasnt long before the perception of indifference earned him a dubious nickname for the ages. Earvin Johnson has been known as Magic for so long its difficult to imagine the five-time NBA champion without his famous nickname. Wade was dubbed Flash when he and ONeal were teammates in Miami, although Wade asked for the nickname to be retired years later after the duo parted ways professionally. So, scan the whole list first to find appropriate categories for your squad. He was named to 12 All-Star teams and won three NBA MVP awards. These are the general, collective nicknames that various colleges and universities' athletic teams compete under, grouped by a general theme before dividing into specific nicknames. Legendary Celtics point guard Bob Cousy boasted a flashy style at a time when pro basketball was mostly vanilla. The movie, which starred Denzel Washington, also featured numerous NBA players, including Travis Best, Rick Fox, Walter McCarty and John Wallace. (Photo courtesy of Temple University athletics). Robo Squad. 7.) The Beard, a nine-time All-Star, was traded to the Brooklyn Nets in January after eight-plus seasons with the Houston Rockets. Here are some popular powerful team names that have meaning behind them: " The Dream Team ": This is an inspiring, all-encompassing name that implies a sense of ambition, power and confidence. Pete Maravich - Pistol Pete 4. Multidimensional big man Kristaps Porzingis has superstar Kevin Durant to thank for his nickname. Spartans used those to look taller. So it makes sense that his nickname pays homage to the famed 13,000-mile defensive fortification in his native China. One of the most brilliant ballhandlers in basketball history, Allen Iverson, inspired a nickname that adorned Reebok merchandise for many years. 7 Things You May Not Know About Wilt Chamberlains 100-point game. Detroit's professional football team first formed in 1929 as the Portsmouth Spartans of Portsmouth, Ohio. He won two championships with the Celtics and was named MVP of the 1981 NBA Finals. Bigly Ballers. By orangeweasel. Joes nickname also inspired Kobes middle name, Bean. 120.) Sesame Street Ballerz. Does it reflect the makeup of your team? . TEAM NICKNAMES: MEN'S VS. WOMEN'S. Schools in the Power Five conferences (Atlantic Coast, Big 12, Big Ten, Pac-12 and Southeastern Conference) that use separate nicknames for men's and women's . Jump Shot Jack and the Impressions. Also, remember you can use these lists as starting points. The Hail Mary Heroes. Cousy was named an All-Star in each of his 13 seasons with Boston, winning six NBA championships along the way. Payton was a nine-time All-Star and was named to the NBA All-Defensive Team nine times. Favorite. Erving blended grace and hang time to become one of the greatest dunkers in basketball history. There are names for NCAA . 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Inspired a nickname with an homage to noted magician and escape artist Houdini... Celtics point guard Bob Cousy boasted a flashy style at a time when pro basketball was mostly.. Your squad behind, implying that it accompanied a loss of privacy during his collegiate at... Was taken a step further to describe the sound of a Tommy Gun won the NBA.