The NBA’s Greatest Nicknames For Role Players

These are the NBA's greatest nicknames for role players. Enjoy!
I make all kinds of NBA videos which include analysis, player stories, countdowns, and mysteries. Make sure to leave a like and subscribe if you enjoyed this video!
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► Sources:
Stats and box-scores from Basketball-Reference.com, NBA.com, Statmuse.com, PBPstats.com
#nba

[@hoopingwithhamez]

one of my favourite nicknames ever is Kenneth Faried’s who was called "The Manimal". One of the most deserving nicknames I've ever seen in NBA history

[@Dannylars42069]

Literally my first thought. FAAAAAAAARIIIIEEEED

[@clintonwatson1295]

He better be on here

[@joashexe3840]

But he was no role player back then. He was supposedly their star.

[@aidanboldt3474]

Nuggets legend

[@boksugoks9312]

Faried + Nene was an offensive hell of a frontcourt, but they were always screwed on defense. Once they traded Nene for Tragic Bronson they immediately became playoff caliber

[@rafaabrantes8142]

I was gonna complain that you forgot The White Mamba. But then I realized this is a list of role players, not hall of famers.

[@j.s.t.6515]

You mean goats

[@jeremyfuller7730]

Can y'all chill with the GOAT debate for one video? Sheesh

[@christiannorwik]

@@jeremyfuller7730 🐐 Brian “White Mamba” Scalabrine is so over the top that he allows debate about “GOAT”.

[@s_ame1135]

​@@jeremyfuller7730 why? Scal is a GOAT and should be recognized as such.

[@Lucy-yc4bc]

@@jeremyfuller7730 there is no debate, it’s objectively Brian Scalabrine

[@zakberliner7926]

I always loved AK47’s nickname. And Time Lord is so much fun. But I’m also really partial to Kyle Anderson as “Slow Mo”

[@Jonics18]

Its too perfect, tbh. He's russian, his initials is AK and wore the number 47.

[@7srchoed]

and now Austin Reeves is AR15

[@piggybankvillan]

Shawn Marion had a great nickname, The Matrix Also Nate Robinson's was KryptoNate which was cool since him and Dwight had a little rivalry going

[@mikhailavanesov5912]

marion was barely a roleplayer, his ugly shot aside he was always the 3rd scorer for the suns behind Nash and Amare Stoudemire

[@mrbuckbuck]

Shawn Marion was far from being a role player though. Calling him a role player is an insult to his name.

[@Nicomartz52]

But he just said that he had a great nickname. And iam agree.

[@mistermann3225]

​@@mikhailavanesov5912 are you insane? Shawn Marion is a borderline Hall of Famer. Averaged nearly 20 and 10 at small forward for most of his career. You saw him at the tail-end when he won that Championship with Dallas.

[@mikhailavanesov5912]

@@mistermann3225 yeah u could argue he was better than Stoudemire i dont disagree with you

[@adrianau6679]

Jonathan Kuminga: Kum Bucket

[@henrymorris2672]

Kum Poole

[@3serio]

The worst!!! 😂

[@SuperNASCARrocks]

Chris Anderson and Andrei Kirilenko had 2 of the most recognizable names for role players. AK47 on the Jazz was so fun to watch.

[@serca4703]

ak47 one of my favorites ever. i wish he was in the league today he would be perfect

[@ranzclifordtiezo1027]

He would be perfect tandem to LeBron if the Cavs drafted him

[@serca4703]

@@ranzclifordtiezo1027 you telling me ak47 wouldve been lebron's pippen?

[@TellHerNothing]

@@ranzclifordtiezo1027They would’ve definitely won a ring or two.

[@Zadlo14]

Well, in contrast the first nickname of Reaves he was known for in NBA was AR15. :)

[@alxx292]

That 2021 postseason for Reggie was so crazy lol he was kind of a legitimate 2nd option to Paul George after kawhi went down. He bailed the clippers out so many times.

[@Paperbagman555]

He was balling that series, sad to see his slump. Why isn't he getting any playoff minutes with the nuggets? I noticed they're playing like less than 10 guys this series

[@301Cardosi]

@@Paperbagman555 most teams play 9 players at most during the playoffs

[@BabylonGateLA]

@@Paperbagman555 Cuz he straight up fugly LMFAO!

[@Paperbagman555]

@@301Cardosi yeah i did some googling after that and said 8 or 9 is usually the number, which i was surprised to hear but i guess it's to do with flow and consistency.

[@KB-qk1ic]

​@@Paperbagman555 that and Reggie isn't really that good. He has his moments but he also can shoot a team right out of a game

[@allanpaoloalingod1863]

Leandro Barbosa: Brazilian Blur Josh Smith: J-Smoove Jerome Williams: Junkyard Dog Kurt Thomas: Big Sexy(chicago time)

[@jojetparedes4024]

I remember Junkyard Dog. Back then, I used to get confused it for Glenn Robinson's "Big Dog". Bobby Portis' Crazy Eyes is also cool...

[@benjiequezada]

Big Sexy will always be Bartolo Colón for me, though.

[@kurosan0079]

Grand Theft Alvarado has been my favorite, recently. Jingle Joe is right up there, too.

[@cdogjboy]

Don’t forget the “the jet” for Jason terry the way he would heat up and drop threes in Dallas

[@mrbuckbuck]

Kenny "the jet" Smith was far the more justified and known one back in the day. Too bad his knees gave up so early.

[@mauricelamar9394]

@@mrbuckbuck don't worry, from his TNT races, it appears his knees are closer then ever.

[@jwc7215]

David Robinson was The Admiral, and his point guard, Avery Johnson, was The Little General.

[@bodiesbydefinition]

That's fly

[@addymitchell5263]

Word 2 those are fire nicknames.

[@vesper2950]

I’m not even a King’s fan, but Davion Mitchell’s Off Night nickname is pretty badass. I also like Jordan Clarkson’s Flamethrower/Flame On nickname 🔥🔥🔥

[@SolaceMcfly]

Off night sounds like he's inconsistent to me

[@BeneathTHeaveans]

@@SolaceMcfly he’s been a great defender throughout his career, it means if he’s guarding you you’re gonna have an “off night”

[@s_ame1135]

Never heard of it. Improve his game and street cred first.

[@smrtmike]

Alex Caruso deserves his own video for his nicknames alone: The Bald Eagle The Scalp The Friar The Bald Mamba Hair Jordan The Accountant the list goes on

[@rizaldysaul8335]

I think the Bald Mamba and Carushow only fits for him while the others are corny!

[@crashlight54]

That whole Corey Maggette segment was cursed

[@LeeNgo]

Andy's having too much fun...

[@Jaykerz]

Happy Saturday everybody!

[@RatedPR]

I spit my water at Maggette's nickname 😂😂

[@SwayzieMayne]

I love Tyler Hansborough nickname “Psycho T”. Definitely fit his style of play.

[@TeWaikopu66kg]

PSYCHO T

[@CorePathway]

What about Thunder Dan Majerle

[@mvoptimistic7524]

Bro davion mitchel with “off-night” is a fire nickname

[@pedroaugustocosta2533]

My favorite nickname will always be the Torture Chamber, Kevin McHale was amazing, and that nickname is kust amazing.

[@dwaynewade3711]

not rlly a role player but yeah that nn is amazing

[@muhammadrizkisatria5059]

kevin mchale is not just a role player. he's the greatest 6th man of all time

[@rockzs74r]

​@@muhammadrizkisatria5059but he was a starter for majority of his career though

[@pedroaugustocosta2533]

@@muhammadrizkisatria5059 I wasn't focused on the role player part, my favorite nickname is the torture chamber, role player or star, don't care, best nickname

[@aidanglenane8330]

Dorture chamber off of Lugentz Dort

[@skjor1989]

How about Nick Young's Swaggy P? Jordan Clarkson's The Flame Thrower? mehmet okur The Momey Man? Terry Rozier "Scary Terry"

[@TuNnL]

Austin Reaves had the nickname "Hillybilly Kobe" in college and even in the early days of his career for the Los Angeles Lakers. Once he hit a game-winner against the Dallas Mavericks in December 2021, though, people realized he wasn't just an undrafted rookie but a serious player who could hit shots in the clutch. Thus, Reaves has been known by the nickname "AR-15" after the famous rifle, or just "AR" for short, ever since. He could be the start of the next Andy Hoops video: "Players Who Reinvented Their Already Famous Nickname." 🏀🏆

[@eastsidereviews727]

As a Detroiter and massive Pistons fan, gotta shout out the one and only "The Microwave" Vinnie Johnson! Also my man "The Palace Prince" Tayshaun Prince. "Big Nasty" Corliss Williamson. And how could I forget "Junkyad Dog" Jerome Williams!

[@komputerkaput1757]

He WAS Hillbilly Kobe. Now he's AR-15. But first of all - He's Him.

[@akeme25]

He actually recently said he doesn’t like the AR-15 nickname

[@m.night_schlongislong]

​@@akeme25 Doesn't matter. People don't usually get to pick their nickname. What sticks sticks.

[@PastLifeVillian]

No he isnt

[@AirRusher1992]

Definitely my favorite nickname from this list were Big Shot Bob, Hillbilly Kobe, The Microwave, Skip to My Lou, Birdman, White Chocolate, AK-47 and Chocolate Thunder

[@JasonExclusive]

So, the whole list 😂

[@edwartoelrico333]

@@JasonExclusive but bad porn

[@dustinjones1346]

I remember when Alston got on with Houston and felt like that gave and 1 players some credibility. I always hoped more of them would get into the league, but I never saw any others

[@tj5180]

Agent zero, cobra and the black falcon Harrison Barnes

[@emintd21]

Bad porn is really funny and fits Corey Maggete’s playstyle very well 😂

[@westbankwade]

Reuben "The Kobe Stopper" Patterson. 😂😂😅

[@chicagoakland]

*warning: may not actually stop Kobe

[@MCLSD_]

Haven’t watched yet, but The Custodian better be on here! Edit: gonna need a part 2 Andy! :D

[@albertodinicola4770]

@andy hoops you missed Brian "White Mamba" Scalabrine

[@co9420]

He didn't miss it. This video is about role players, not GOATs.

[@swaymcthunder1219]

How dare you insult the great one like that

[@tj5180]

Red mamba Matt Bonner

[@kevinkelo3283]

Time lord had a big influence in fantasy chats, he’d barely play but rack big numbers in categories and pts leagues. It’s not that he stops time, but he was so efficient in the little time he had!

[@artix003]

red rocket=matt bonner, big baby=glen davis and white mamba=brian scalabrine should be there

[@ktvindicare]

I'm pretty sure Big Baby hates that nickname, probably why Andy didn't include it. He seemed to only include the names the players themselves liked.

[@UrKneeguh]

Scalabrine ain't no role player

[@Jonics18]

Bonner with the nickname Red Rocket is just fuckin hilarious.

[@Nicomartz52]

I complety forget about red Rocket

[@gmorel7332]

When Troydan called Draymond green donkey 🤣 with all the assaults on players the stopping an the kicking nicknaming him Donkey makes alot of sense

[@jacobway468]

Not a role player tho

[@gmorel7332]

@@jacobway468 sure plays like one tho lol

[@jacobway468]

@@gmorel7332 one of the best defenders ever and an elite playmaker?

[@gmorel7332]

@@jacobway468 yes Mr. Single double lol

[@markpaolosimon3649]

Damon Stoudamire - Mighty Mouse Nick Van Exel - Nick the quick Brian Cardinal - The Custodian

[@Nicomartz52]

Nick van exelent

[@akeme25]

So Darryl Dawkins shattered backboards so hard even Stevie Wonder could see them? LEGEND!

[@giancarlovelandrez3413]

it was an eye opening experience for him

[@cubenba6046]

AK47 greatest Role player nickname ever.

[@danielvasquez3758]

Love when role played step up and earn a name that isn’t legally their own!! Love it!! Put in that work!!

[@noyce.]

Chocolate Thunder takes the crown for me, judging by the nickname I always thought he was a MVP caliber player and not a role player.

[@RQ.140]

One you missed out on was Doug McDermott and his plethora of nicknames. Dougy Buckets, Dougy McBuckets, and when he was on the thunder (my personal favorite).. Dougy McThunderBuckets

[@sparkziiie]

my man Andrei definitely had the best nickname in NBA, it perfectly describes him as a player too. reliable whenever you need some defence

[@shadow7457]

I think a better nickname for Austin Reaves is AR-15 It is also similar to AK-47

[@icupnibba3533]

My personal favorite is Stacey Augmon “The Plastic Man” lmao

[@MusicLover-my6fo]

If we're going to talk about some bad nicknames Jonathan Kuminga's nickname at one point was "Kum Bucket."

[@neilbryanbucsit197]

Tony Allen-The Grindfather Wally Szczerbiak-Wally World Kenneth Faried-Manimal Ricky Rubio-La Pistola Kyle Anderson-SlowMo Leandro Barbosa-Brazilian Blur Nick Young-Swaggy P

[@jefffuhr2393]

*Brian "THE CUSTODIAN" Cardinal* from the 2011 NBA Champion Dallas Mavericks. Brian was truly a role player AND he played an important role that 2011 year. Enjoyed every second of this video.

[@1lovesgreatness]

I remember when he was on the Warriors. Did not know until now that he got a ring.

[@megabassxz]

I think Magic is the best nickname. The fact that it completely replaced his first name shows how good it is. Nobody even calls him by his first name. It's always been Magic.

[@yourmexican98]

How are we not talking about Brian Scalabrine AKA The White Mamba

[@DomsDiner160]

the prince of the palace Tayshaun is a good one

[@DKtrek21]

Ak47 was my favorite player in the early 2000s. He was versatile, can do literally anything on the court and is a genuinely funny dude. He is the player that I see being a multiple all star in today's league. Sort of like a Draymond Green and Jokic combo.

[@drevil2675]

So was I

[@LukasM1213]

Threegional Manager. Mike Scott. Philly. Solid 3pt shooter. My favorite

[@markneil6892]

J crossover, Sweet Lou and the most Popular right now is not the Time lord its GTA (Grand Theft Alvarado)

[@gabrieldodds9081]

My favorite role player nickname is "Grand Theft Alvarado"

[@Sam-db4mr]

Honorable mentions: The White Mamba - Brian Scalabrine; Big Baby - Glen Davis and the Michael Jordan of Delaware - Donte Divincenzo

[@embertargaryen]

Big government is honestly an incredible nickname

[@brucelau2023]

definitely for sure my favorite NBA nicknames for sure The Microwave Vinnie Johnson White Chocolate Jason Williams Birdman Birdman Chris Andersen BIG SHOT BOB Robert Horry Jason Eugene Terry (the JET)

[@3serio]

I was living in Dallas when they brought in Ryan Broekhoff. He was tall but didn’t look like a basketball player, so whenever he’d have a highlight, they’d call him “Ryan from accounting”

[@homelesstogreatness6626]

I thought Reggie's would be Bobby Shmurda. 😂 My favorite nicknames are The Answer and Vinsanity though they aren't role players when they got their nicknames and one I found the most hilarious is The Kum Bucket. If it's for role players "The White Mamba" is the coldest of them all.

[@nihildwo4874]

What do you mean? how do you dare calling the G.O.A.T. Brian Scalabrine a roleplayer?

[@nbapbaupdate8338]

Robert Williams III always late in practice born " Time Lord "

[@qrsentertainment7215]

Terrence Ross: human torch and Dennis: Scott 3-D Corliss Williamson: Big Nasty Richard Hamilton: rip Robert Traylor: tractor trailer

[@Bbbjkbbvub]

Kiralinko was the deepest one like you said based of his, initials, number, and the city and country he was born in.

[@VenomousStare]

Andy getting his boy AK47 on the list!

[@brettkozak3479]

I've always thought AK-47 and The Microwave are just two of the coolest nicknames in sports

[@parkbahce100]

Bill Laimbeer : The Prince of Darkness, its hard to beat.

[@DavidFigarland]

check basketball reference for some crazy nicknames i think my fav is "mini-lebron" for none other than eric bledso

[@nbarealtalker]

Junkyard Dog JYD was great!

[@pjalmazan3433]

Part 2 please

[@JamalDizel]

Left out the goat - White Mamba

[@scandiumtrioxide]

Great list, but kind of sad at the lack of Bryant “Big Country” Reeves, Shaq’s alleged least favorite player to go up against

[@xcube2553]

This is my first time laugh on your videos men after hearing the BAD PORN nickname 😂

[@ignaziosanchez]

greeeeeeat video man, do a 2nd part

[@aznpikachu215]

Jeremy Lin - Linsanity, Super Lintendo

[@worldseriesofboxing2070]

There still a lot of best nicknames of role players part 2 is a must

[@Kiernanglynn20]

Jerome Williams- Junkyard Dog Kirk Hinrich - Captain Kirk Luol Deng- LT. Deng Luke Longley- Puke Long Legs

[@Gonzo7HC]

For me Austin Reaves is "AR15" and equally sick nickname tbh

[@mesavor]

i like Grand Theft Alvarado. it explains his sneaky plays so well.

[@hugogallego6237]

I'll add some from the most famous Spanish caster Andrés Montes (RIP): Ricky Rubio: Risky business Calderón: Mr Catering Pau Gasol: E.T Shaq: article 32 of the LA law (sth like that): I do whatever I want whenever I want however I want. Carmelo Anthony: Caramelo (means candy) Anthony

[@orchestrator6808]

Never heard a mf call Reggie freaking Jackson “Big Gov” 💀💀

[@TheScarletSky92]

Bubble goat tj warren.. and i think austin reeves goes by AR-15 now

[@1lovesgreatness]

LMAO, Big Government, that's a riot

[@user-mb5gu1su3m]

Harold Miner - The baby Jordan

[@ZoroTheSamurai]

Dillon "Under no circumstances" Brooks

[@pueyorivers3281]

The Microwave, dude so hot his nickname became a 2K badge

[@joelporteza7639]

AK47 was the perfect nickname letter by letter number and history of origin!😉

[@AirRusher1992]

Stil waiting for videos about the pre-Cavs and the new CBA to be effective starting next season. Oh one more thing, can you also make a video about what's next for the teams that got eliminated in the first round? Especially the Bucks and the Grizzlies? Thanks.

[@abishopb]

Alex Caruso, Bald Mamba/Alex Carushow

[@nicolopez7591]

And the bald eagle

[@originalandfunnyname634]

my personal favorite NBA nickname is "The President" for Malcolm Brogdon

[@EazyYGO]

How is sauce Castillo not here?!?!

[@mar02blue]

I maybe bias here but frankie smoke and latvian laser from Mavs role players were Cool

[@rig-zag]

Brian Scalabrine, the "White Mamba" 😂

[@californiaraised2000]

Steavie wonder saw him dunk and was like yeah he chocolate thunder

[@MilkshakeEnthusiast1992]

Kirilenko was one of my favorites as a kid because of his nickname. It helped that he was pretty good haha

[@ragingvirus31]

"Lunch Lady" Kelly Olynyk 😂

[@123fourfive5]

Austin reeves Ar15 is pretty good too

[@striderzer0]

so if Andrei Kirilenko with jersey number 47 is AK47 should Austin Reeves with number 15 have a second nickname of AR15

[@winstonmiu]

“Penetrates + finishes” a lot is too literal!

[@danielvasquez3758]

Let’s gooo another Andy video!! Thanks!!

[@WestbrickFansGotNoBrains]

2:40 if this is today nba: “ref don’t call no travel no more in todays game. Back in my days everything was a travel, getting punch in the face wasn’t a foul, everyone taking a triple team contested jump shot, smh”

[@rnuke_rocket]

I thought Correy Magette got his nickname due to him being a bad defender despite being a lethal scorer?

[@TellHerNothing]

No this meaning makes more sense

[@Ryan-ly2id]

Andy, first and foremost, love the channel and content that you create. I’ve been a subscriber for sometime now and I have a video suggestion - players who deserve to get their number’s retired by a team but it hasn’t happened yet. It sparked my thought realizing that my Knicks allow Julius Randle to don #30 which was the great Bernard King’s number. Just a thought!

[@daevonthesavage7483]

Andrei Kirilenko has the greatest nickname in NBA history bro. It's too perfect. 🔥🔥🔥🔥💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾

[@wrecklessknight230]

The White Chocolate immediately popped in my mind.

[@martianmanhunter3806]

The Microwave is one of my favorites and it helped the Vinnie was a bucket too