As a point guard, Mark Jackson was always involved in the play. That makes sense given his nickname.

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David Robinson was widely considered one of the most stand- up guys in the NBA while he played. No doubt his character came from his naval training. His nickname definitely did.

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When Gilbert Arenas has his shot going, he can be a marksman. Like a secret agent, he can turn the tide of the game before you realize it.

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Andrei Kirilenko has always had crazy shooting range. His ability to hit opponents up from beyond the arc and drain a straight- away jump shot earned him this nickname.

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When a spunky kid out of Georgetown joined the Philadelphia 76ers, the fan base had been asking "Who can cure our woes?" Allen Iverson showed up and provided the answer.

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Artis Gilmore's game was built on power, so his nickname just served as a reminder that he could power through any opponent who stepped to him.

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While the nickname might sound gentle, Glen Davis is a tough ballplayer. His size is what makes his nickname an oxymoron.

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Ben Wallace earned his nickname guarding the basket for the Detroit Pistons during his first stint with the team, from 2000 to 2006. A clever play on Wallace's first name makes his nickname a perfect fit.

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Bryant Reeves came of age in a small town in Oklahoma. Like any country boy, his first glimpse of New York City was an eye-opener, so much so that he earned this nickname from a teammate.

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Current Celtic Kevin Garnett made the jump to the NBA straight from high school, bringing a much-needed sense of excitement to the Minnesota Timberwolves franchise in his rookie season. Garnett's nickname provided an accurate description of why Timberwolves tickets became the hottest thing in town.

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Chris Paul has an older brother and a father with the same initials. His nickname is really more of a naming device.

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Mike Fratello spent years coaching in the NBA. During that time, he developed a nickname that follows him today.

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Chris Andersen became a fan favorite in Denver for his posturing after throwing down dunks. That same posturing also earned him his nickname.

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Shaquille O'Neal's love of cars might have inspired his nickname. Or maybe it was the way he bulldozed opponents who stepped up to guard him. Either way, it's accurate.

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Hakeem Olajuwon exhibited such smooth movements on the court it seemed as though observers were dreaming watching the moves of this 7-footer.

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Julius Erving ushered in the age of personalized nicknames for NBA players. His nickname played off his first name and provided fans with easy name recognition.

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A pearl is known for being special, extraordinary and beautiful. Those adjectives describe Earl Monroe's skills on the court. That's part of the reason that his nickname stuck with him throughout his playing days.

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Slam dunks and dribble drives came easily to Clyde Drexler. That had a lot to do with his nickname.

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Gary Payton was respected for his defensive prowess during his time in the NBA. Opponents had a difficult time finding space against him. He stuck close to them, just like a glove.

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When he entered the NBA, Vince Carter's athletic ability was off the charts. It didn't seem humanly possible for someone to make dunking look so easy. His nickname hinted that he might have some other-worldly ability.

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Before George Gervin played for the San Antonio Spurs, nobody had heard of "the finger roll." Maybe it was his secret move that gave him confidence on the hardwood, but his calm approach is what's behind his nickname.

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Nicknames are like genes in the Bryant family. Joe Bryant's son Kobe has a fearsome nickname of his own, but Joe's definitely wins the title of most entertaining.

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Jerry West's nickname is self-explanatory. After all, it is West's outline that graces every NBA uniform's logo.

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Karl Malone had a history of coming through for the Utah Jazz when he played for them. As one-half of arguably the deadliest pick-and-roll combo in NBA history, Malone got his nickname because he always delivered.

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Chauncey Billups is able to strike fear in the hearts of opposing fans when he gets the ball in the waning minutes of a close game. If his nickname is any indication, Chauncey relishes the opportunity to drain the big shots.

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Before Ricky Rubio, the NBA had Pete Maravich. His passing ability electrified NBA crowds at the time and opened up a whole new world of possibilities for NBA point guards.

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Charles Barkley's play elicited respect among his NBA peers. That helped him move up the ranks of basketball's hierarchy, which was the genesis of his nickname.

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Nate Archibald is one of the great guards in NBA history. A precursor to Allen Iverson, Archibald became known for winding his way through much taller players on the way to the hoop. From those players' perspective, his nickname is fitting.

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When you think of Kobe Bryant, you think of a player who is tenacious, aggressive and one of the most feared opponents. That description holds true for Kobe's nickname namesake as well.

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Metta World Peace (formerly Ron Artest) has this man to look up to. Lloyd Bernard Free pioneered the act of legally changing one's name to a slogan. He's more commonly known by his legal name, which also ties into his nickname from his playing days.

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James Worthy has three championships under his belt. That big- game experience is what led to his nickname.

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In his heyday, Dominique Wilkins was "the man." His show stopping dunks garnered lots of media attention and earned him his nickname.

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Most basketball fans would draw a blank when asked to identify Tyrone Bogues. However, if his nickname is mentioned, plenty of basketball fans will remember him. Despite his diminutive stature, he maintained a tough, physical presence on the court.

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Earvin Johnson's nickname is representative of his playing style. He mastered the art of the no-look, highlight- reel pass. To this day, he is more recognizable by his nickname.

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American Anthony Jerome Webb played point guard in the NBA for 13 seasons, but his nickname is derived from the infamous Soviet Sputnik space crafts.

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Before Michael Jordan, the term "highlight reel" was not part of everyday vernacular. After Jordan, it seemed as though his unbelievable athleticism had him flying through the air. Hence the nickname.

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Larry Bird racked up a few interesting nicknames in his NBA career. It's not unusual to hear him referred to as Larry Legend, but his handle (what is it?) is definitely one of the most unique nicknames around. Here are a few other current and former NBA stars that have some entertaining monikers.