Những biệt danh nổi tiếng nhất của cầu thủ NBA: Magic, Big Ben, Chef, Greek Freak…

Magic – Earvin Johnson

Magic Johnson is one of the greatest legends in NBA history. He is considered the best point guard of all time, closely associated with the Los Angeles Lakers during the Showtime era and his rivalry with Larry Bird.

The nickname “Magic” was given to him by a scout after witnessing a game where he scored 36 points, had 16 rebounds, and 16 assists when he was just 15 years old. Later, the name Magic Johnson became so popular that many people forgot that Earvin is his real name.

Chef – Stephen Curry

The Answer – Allen Iverson

This is the nickname associated with Allen Iverson, one of the greatest NBA legends without a championship. He brought the wild playing style of street basketball to the NBA and pioneered the hip-hop trend, asserting his individuality through his clothing, fashion, and distinctive hairstyles for future generations of players.

In 1996, the NBA faced a significant question about who would represent the league once the legendary generation of Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, and Michael Jordan retired. His close friend Jamil Blackmon blurted out that Allen Iverson was “the answer” to the questions many were asking. Allen Iverson loved the idea, and the nickname “The Answer” has been associated with him ever since.

Greek Freak – Giannis Antetokounmpo

This is the nickname associated with Giannis Antetokounmpo. The origin of this nickname comes from Giannis being a Greek player, and the homophone “freak,” used to describe his physique, athleticism, and explosive, skillful, and agile playing style. At 2.11 meters tall, he exhibits a combination of attributes that the NBA had never seen before.

Initially, Giannis Antetokounmpo did not like this nickname, but he gradually embraced it as part of the Greek identity that runs in his veins.

Vinsanity – Vince Carter

Vince Carter was the 5th overall pick in the 1998 NBA Draft by the Golden State Warriors, but he was then traded to the Toronto Raptors. In Canada, he built a reputation thanks to his explosive playing style, impressive scoring ability, and powerful, high-difficulty dunks, especially in events like the Slam Dunk Contest.

“Vinsanity” is a nickname that combines Vince Carter’s first name with the word “insanity,” meaning craziness or impressiveness.

The Process – Joel Embiid

This is the nickname associated with Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers. In the summer of 2014, the Philadelphia 76ers faced an opportunity to rebuild the team after a long period of disappointing performances. They chose Joel Embiid, believing he would be the central player for the process of reviving the team.

Joel Embiid struggled with injuries early on before breaking out to become one of the top players in the world. The 76ers’ choice proved correct in terms of personnel, but since then, they have still not reached the NBA Finals.

Big Ben – Ben Wallace

Ben Wallace was one of the renowned power forwards/centers in the NBA during the late 1990s and early 2000s. He stood out during his time with the Detroit Pistons, winning the NBA championship in 2004 and being named “Defensive Player of the Year” four times.

With the name Ben, he was given the nickname “Big Ben,” relating to the famous clock tower in England. They likened Ben Wallace to an authoritative symbol in the area under the basket due to his impressive height and incredible strength in the NBA.

The Worm – Dennis Rodman

Like Ben Wallace, Dennis Rodman was a player without offensive prowess. However, his incredible athleticism, fiery playing style, and basketball IQ made him one of the greatest rebounders in NBA history. His image was even used to create the character Hanamichi Sakuragi in the famous manga Slam Dunk.

Dennis Rodman has had the nickname “The Worm” since childhood, as he used to twist and contort his body on the court like a worm. This nickname has been closely associated with Dennis Rodman throughout his career.