Kendrick Perkins reveals Top 5 nicknames in NBA history featuring Kobe Bryant, Magic Johnson, and more

Former basketball veteran Kendrick Perkins has disclosed his top five all-time NBA nicknames, all attributed to various legends of the game. Perkins, who is now a sports analyst for ESPN, recently made this public on the NBA Today show. The list features basketball greats such as Kobe Bryant, Julius Erving, Kevin Garnett, Hakeem Olajuwon and Earvin Johnson.

On Perkins’ list, each NBA legend included had their famous nicknames placed right under a photograph from their playing days and then ranked on the metric of which one is the best, in ascending order from the fifth position up to the first position.

Going by the ranking, Hakeem Olajuwon popularly nicknamed “the Dream” is first on the list in fifth place. Olajuwon is a former basketball star who played in the NBA from 1984 to 2002, with the only two teams he ever played for, being the Houston Rockets and Toronto Raptors. During his career, he led the Rockets to achieve back-to-back NBA Championships in 1994 and 1995.

The second name on Kendrick Perkins’ list is perhaps, one of the most fondly remembered NBA legends, the late Kobe Bryant. His popular nickname “Black Mamba” surprisingly comes in fourth position. Bryant is widely known as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. He spent his entire 20 seasons in the league with the Los Angeles Lakers, and in the process, Kobe won five NBA Championships.

Coming in third place on Kendrick Perkins’ list is Julius Erving with the nickname “Dr. J”. He is a legend of the game who played in the American Basketball Association, before the league merged into the NBA. Dr. J won three championships and played with three franchises from 1971-1987: the ABA’s Virginia Squires, and the Brooklyn Nets and Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA.

Furthermore, the last two names on the list are Kevin Garnett and Earvin Johnson. Garnett, popularly known as “Big Ticket” played for 21 seasons and is regarded as one of the greatest forwards of all time. On his part, “Magic” Johnson spent all 13 years of his NBA career playing for the Lakers, winning five championships.

Team USA players discuss the coolest nickname

Shortly before the start of their games at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Team USA stars had a brief chat over who has the coolest nickname amongst them. The question was posed to every team member, with each of them having their say on what the best nickname is and who has it.

Most of the team picked LeBron James‘ nickname “King James” and Stephen Curry’s nickname “Chef Curry” as the best. But at the end of the day, it was Kevin Durant who won with the coolest nickname in the team.

Slim Reaper? I love that nickname. Before I didn’t think I was worthy enough for it. I ain’t do enough yet.
Kevin Durant said