Which New Washington Wizard Has the Best Nickname?
By Ethan Smith
The Washington Wizards have added a ton of new players to this year’s roster, and we ask the only question that needs answering with all these new faces: Who has the best nickname?
The great William Shakespeare once wrote, “What’s in a name?”
A good question, no doubt, but the better one to ask may have been “What’s in a nickname?”
A nickname, especially for athletes, can be the key to transcending the game and being not just a great basketball player, but a brand all of one’s own. The right nickname elevates players, making them fixtures in the minds of fans. You aren’t just on a first name basis. You’re on a nickname basis.
Throughout the years, some truly great nicknames have become as ubiquitous as the players themselves. Few hear of Tracy McGrady without thinking “T-Mac”, or Julius Irving without thinking “Dr.J.” Everyone knows who King James is, and more people know the name Magic Johnson than Earvin Johnson.
The power of the nickname is real. The NBA even went as far to put nicknames on jerseys at one point. So we decided to take a look at some of the new nicknames joining the Washington Wizards this season. Full disclosure, Basketball-Reference provided most of these nicknames. If I missed any, let me know. Quite a few new faces are coming to Washington, and we need to be calling out as many nicknames by opening tip as possible.
Here are the newest nicknames, from worst to best.