OT: best nicknames in sports history

[Mr. Tibbs]

These aren't at the level of any of the above, but I always liked The Rifleman (Chuck Person) and the dunking Dutchman for Rik Smits.

[CBS7]

Even though he's somewhat of an obscure player, The Polish Rifle has stuck with me through all these years.

[CBS7]

Another obvious one I haven't seen mentioned that has replaced their first name entirely... Muggsy.

[JohnnyKILLroy]

Even though he's somewhat of an obscure player, The Polish Rifle has stuck with me through all these years.

Soooo good Piatkowski !!!

[dice]

I agree with the ones talking about Magic Johnson and I will add another Laker to the discussion: Black Mamba. It didn't stick as much as the Magic but it sure builds the image of Kobe Bryant as a player and his "killer instinct".

one of the worst nicknames ever, made worse by the fact that it was given to himself

[dice]

Another obvious one I haven't seen mentioned that has replaced their first name entirely... Muggsy.

surprised that didn't remind you of another really short player w/ a unique nickname...

[Dresden]

No Splendid Splinter?

For me it starts and ends with the Human Highlight Reel - Just wonderful

But Sweetness? Just perfect

And I didn't see WORM

Budda was a good one

The Answer was pretty good - and an underrated player

I agree- Splendid Splinter is a cut above, almost poetry.

Round Mound of Rebound would be a close second.

Wilt the Stilt was pretty good, too.

Don Nottingham, "the Human Bowling Ball".

The Nigerian Nightmare (Christian Okoye).

"Dizzy" Dean

Ellroy "Crazy Legs" Hirsch

[Mr. Tibbs]

Even though he's somewhat of an obscure player, The Polish Rifle has stuck with me through all these years.

I can't believe I never knew that was a nickname of his. Fond memories of Johnny Red Kerr calling him Pike though..few other Red Kerr favorites of mine..the Mayor and Chandelier. Corny, but reminds me of Red more than the players themselves.

[CBS7]

Another obvious one I haven't seen mentioned that has replaced their first name entirely... Muggsy.

surprised that didn't remind you of another really short player w/ a unique nickname...

Can't believe I didn't think of him either.

Another obscure one.. Smush Parker.

[Michael Jackson]

Jellybean Bryant.

I still loved AK47 just because it really was apropos. It wasn’t that great but it was perfectly on the nose it was hard not to like. Of course then you can never have a number can.

[Southpaw]

This is probably because he's one of my favorite players ever but I really like the Big Ticket.

Some of my other favorites nicknames are Magic (the best imo), Black Cat / Jesus / Superman, The Glove, The Admiral, Round Mound of Rebound, AK47 and Bad Porn, to name a few.

Nicknames were really good and creative back then whereas now it all just initials and some number. Some of the great ones today are Greek Freak and Stifle Tower.

[dice]

Some of the great ones today are Greek Freak and Stifle Tower.

good calls

"the process" for embiid is excellent as well. and "the claw" for kawhi ain't bad, although i'd prefer something like the "the jovial robot"



"the unicorn" for porzinigs is a'ight, though he's not accomplished enough to earn it yet. "jimmy buckets" is good in an understated way...

[Jello Biafra]

Some not mentioned for your consideration:

Golf

The Big Easy - Ernie Els
The Boss of the Moss - Loren Roberts
The Great White Shark - Greg Norman
The Walrus -Craig Stadler
El Nino - Sergio Garcia
The King - Arnold Palmer

Boxing

The Greatest - Ali
Evander The Real Deal Holyfield
The Hitman Tommy Hearns
Marvelous Marvin Hagler

White Sox

The Big Hurt
Wimpy - Tom Paciorek
Hawk - Harrelson

Blackhawks

The Golden Jet - Bobby Hull
Savvy - Denis Savard
Edzo - Eddie Olcyzck

FYI, I hate the Greek Freak nickname because being of Greek descent, that was a common schoolyard insult growing up in the 70's.

[Jello Biafra]

Pistol Pete
The Iceman
Dr. J
Hondo
every player named Lou, Sweet Lou
Mr October
The Snake Kenny Stabler
Bubba Smith
Broadway Joe
Deacon Jones

this could go on for hours

You forgot Chet "the Jet" Walker

[OldSchoolNoBull]

A big NBA one that I don't think has been mentioned yet is Nate "Tiny" Archibald.

I think that one is arguably in the category of nicknames that are used in lieu of real names. Not to the degree that Magic is, but I'm sure I've seen people just call him Tiny.

[waffle]

oooooooh

The Big Hurt is one of the best ever

[Madheki]

How y'all gonna forget Black Jesus?!

-scout

[2018C3]

in retrospect, E-rob was not bad.

"He-Rob-Ed", The Bulls pretty good.

[Dresden]

"Sudden" Sam McDowell.