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Earvin Johnson - He traded in his first name to be called Magic Johnson instead.

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Kobe Bryant - One of the most famous nicknames in sports history, Bryant was known as The Black Mamba.

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Julius Erving - Everyone knows this famed 76er as Dr. J.  

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Michael Jordan - More than just a nickname, Air Jordan became a clothing and shoe brand as well!

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LeBron James - One of the best basketball players of all time, LeBron James is aptly nicknamed King James.

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Kevin Durant - This NBA star is aptly nicknamed The Durantula. 

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Stephen Curry - Point guard for the Golden State Warriors, Stephen Curry, has gained a couple good nicknames throughout his successful career: Baby Faced Assassin and Chef Curry. 

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Shaquille O'Neal - A man with many nicknames, Shaquille O'Neal is famously known as Shaq, but is also called Diesel, Superman, and Big Aristotle.

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Allen Iverson - One of the most famed point guards in history, Iverson became known simply as The Answer.

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Kevin Garnett - Dubbed one of the best players in the NBA, Garnett gained the nickname The Big Ticket.

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Charles Barkley - This famed player became known as The Round Mound of Rebound.

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Dwyane Wade - Quick on his feet, Wade was known simply as Flash.

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Larry Bird - This former Boston Celtics player was nicknamed Larry Legend and The Hick from French Lick.

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Pete Maravich - This iconic NBA player went by Pistol Pete.

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Hakeem Olajuwon - This star NBA player came to be known as The Dream.

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Karl Malone - As a power forward who always delivered, Malone became known as The Mailman.

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George Gervin - One of the greatest shooting guards in NBA history, Gervin became known as The Ice Man.

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Clyde Drexler - This NBA legend became known as Clyde the Glide.

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Vince Carter - A force on the court, Carter earned himself the nickname Vinsanity.

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Gary Payton - The famed point guard was known as The Glove.

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Wilt Chamberlain - This famed NBA star became known as The Stilt.

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David Robinson - Robinson became known on the court and to fans as The Admiral.

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Dominique Wilkins - Wilkins was awarded the nickname The Human Highlight Film.

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Paul Pierce - This player came to be known as The Truth.

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Tim Duncan - This power forward was nicknamed The Big Fundamental.

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Jason Williams - Jason Williams was nicknamed White Chocolate!

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Jerry West - The famed Lakers player became known as Mr. Clutch. 

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Chris Andersen - This power forward gained the nickname Birdman. 

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Andrei Kirilenko -

This Russian-American star was nicknamed AK-47.

See also: The greatest basketball players of all time

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