NBA Could Have The Heat And Nets Wear Nicknames on Jerseys

Jun 20, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat power forward Chris Andersen (11) reacts during the fourth quarter of game seven in the 2013 NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

First came the release of sleeved jerseys; now, there could be new set of jerseys released, called the nickname jerseys. The NBA is currently considering having the Miami Heat and Brooklyn Nets wear jerseys that has each players nickname on the back instead of their last names for one of their four match-ups this coming season. While the NBA has not officially announced anything, some members of the Heat have already been contacted by the league about the idea.

Players were asked to submit what names they wanted on their jerseys a couple of weeks ago.

Ray Allen, who plans to wear ‘Shuttlesworth’ on his jersey, based on his character from the film ‘He Got Game’, said, “It shows growth in our league and it shows we do adapt to what’s going on around us. And we’re still kids, playing a kids’ game. Even though we’re now men playing a kids’ game, we still remember where we come from. Everybody had a nickname and it’s a way to let the fans in a little bit more.”

Lebron James is expected to wear ‘King James’, while Dwyane Wade might not wear his patented nickname, ‘D-Wade’. Instead, he might choose ‘Three’, which symbolizes his both his number, and the number of championship rings he has.

On the Nets side, veteran players like Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Jason Terry, and Deron Williams have carried their nicknames for years.

Pierce would dub his trademark nickname, ‘The Truth’, while Garnet has been affectionately known by his initials, ‘KG’. Terry would wear ‘The Jet’, while Williams is expected to coin his nickname, ‘D-Will’.

Heat forward Shane Battier, who has not had a nickname in his career said that he wanted to wear ‘Batman’. However, Warner Brothers holds the right to that name, and other players have also had to deal with copyright issues. Instead, Battier plans to wear ‘Shaneo’.

This is a perk that would be very interesting, and fun at the same time. People choose a nickname to put on the back of their shirts or jersey all the time in recreational leagues or church leagues, so it allows NBA players to have some fun among themselves.

The player with the best jersey could be Chris Andersen, as it would be a sight to see him run up and down the court with the name ‘Birdman’ on the back of his jersey.