Explaining the 15 oddest nicknames in Houston Rockets history

13. Trevor Ariza – Switchblade

Being in the NBA since 2004, Trevor Ariza has never properly been appointed a nickname, but that didn’t stop Basketball-Reference from listing him as Switchblade. So what’s the origin of that nickname? Well, don’t ask Ariza himself.

In a 2014 interview with 106.7 The Fan’s Grant Paulsen and Danny Rouhier, the name was brought up to the veteran forward. Asked if switchblade was an accepted actual nickname he uses, Trevor responded: “What? No. What does that mean?”

Clearly, someone attributed the name to Ariza at some point without his knowledge. If you ever see him, though, he thinks Trevor or T.A. will do just fine.

12. Tracy McGrady – The Big Sleep

One of many Hall of Famers that spent time with the Rockets, Tracy McGrady had enough game to warrant a number of nicknames. Still, only T-Mac really stuck for McGrady, although another nickname attributed to Tracy was The Big Sleep.

During a TNT broadcast featuring the Orlando Magic hosting the Sacramento Kings in 2009, the late, great Craig Sager discussed the origin of the nickname: “He’s got a problem where he falls asleep a lot,” began Sager.

“They say he’ll fall asleep anytime, anywhere. During the season, they were watching game film and Doc Rivers turned the light on — they’ll look over and McGrady would be sleeping. Now they have to leave the lights on, otherwise ‘The Big Sleep’ will be sleeping.”

Next: No. 11 & 10