Here are some cute Chinese nicknames of Athletes http://www.nba.com/features/chinese_playenicknames_070329.html
| Team | Player | Chinese Nickname | Translation of Chinese Nickname | Explanation |
| Chicago | Ben Wallace | 大本钟 (Da Ben Zhong) | Big Ben |
Wallace’s size and ability to defend |
| Cleveland | Zydrunas Ilgauskas | 大 Z ( Da Z ) | Big Z |
Da means “big†and Z is the first letter of his first name |
| Cleveland | LeBron James | å°çš‡å¸ (Xiao Huang Di) | Little Emperor |
Direct translation of English nickname “King James” |
| Charlotte | Emeka Okafor | 猫王 (Mao Wang) | King of the Cats |
Meaning leader of the Bobcats |
| Dallas | Dirk Nowitzki | 德国战车 (De Guo Zhan Che) | German Racecar |
Dirk’s ability to roll on court like a racecar. And he is a player from Germany. |
| Denver | Carmelo Anthony | 甜瓜 (Tian Gua) | Sweet Melon |
The nickname “Melo†resembles “Melonâ€. “Sweet Melon†refers to Carmelo ‘s sweet and cute appearance |
| Denver | Allen Iverson | ç”案 ( Da An ) | The Answer |
Direct translation of his English nickname |
| Detroit | Chauncy Billups | 光滑 (Guang Hua) | Smooth |
Direct translation of English nickname “Smooth†|
| Detroit | Richard Hamilton | é¢å…·äºº (Mian Ju Ren) | Man in the Mask | Hamilton’s habit of wearing a mask on court |
| Detroit | Tayshaun Prince | å°çŽ‹å ( Xiao Wang Zi ) | Little Prince |
Direct translation of his last name “ Prince †|
| Houston | Dikembe Mutombo | éžæ´²å¤§å±± (Fei Zhou Da Shan) | Africa’s Big Mountain |
Mutombo’s ability to block shots. And he is a player from Africa |
| L.A. Clippers | Elton Brand | 船长 (Chuan Zhang) | The Captain |
He’s seen as the leader of the Clippers |
| L.A. Clippers | Cuttino Mobley | è€çŒ« (Lao Mao) | Old Cat |
Direct translation from English nickname “ The Cat†|
| L.A. Lakers | Kobe Bryant | å°é£žä¾ (Xiao Fei Xia) | Little Flying warrior |
Bryant’s ability to jump |
| Memphis | Damon Stoudemire | å°é£žé¼ (Xiao Fei Shu) | Little Flying Mouse |
For his speed and the ability to pass through opposing players |
| Miami | Shaquille O’Neal | ä¿ å®¢ (Xia Ke) | Warrior | “Xia Ke” means righteous and respectful warriors in ancient China |
| Miami | Gary Payton | 手套 (Shou Tao) | The Glove |
Dir Payton’s ability to defend, like a glove stuck on the opponent |
| Miami | Dwyane Wade | é—ªç”µä¾ (Shan Dian Xia) | The Flash |
For his lighting fast style of playing |
| Miami | Jason Williams | 白巧克力 (Bai Qiao Ke Li) | White Chocolate |
Direct translation of his English nickname |
| Minnesota | Kevin Garnett | 狼王 (Lang Wang) | King of the Wolves | Meaning leader of the Timberwolves |
| New Jersey | Vince Carter | 飞人 (Fei Ren) | Flying Man | Carter’s ability to leap and make amazing dunks |
| New Jersey |
Jason Kidd |
å‘动机 (Fa Dong Ji) |
The Engine |
Kidd is the “engine†behind the Nets’ offense |
| New York | Steve Francis | ç‰¹æƒ (Te Quan) | Special Rights | Direct translation of the word “ Franchise†|
| Orlando | Grant Hill | 好好先生 (Houhou Xian Shen) | Mr. Nice | Direct translation of English nickname |
| Philadelphia | Andre Iguodala | å°AI (Xiao AI) | Little AI | “Little†is placed before the initial to differentiate between Allen Iverson and Andre Iguodala. “Little†also refers to his short years in the league compared to Allen Iverson. |
| Phoenix |
Boris Diaw |
法国é”术师 (Fa Guo Mo Shu Shi) |
French Magician |
Diaw’s ability to play basketball as if playing magic. And he is a player from France. |
| Phoenix |
Amare Stoudemire |
å°éœ¸çŽ‹ (Xiao Ba Wang) |
Little Lord |
Amare is young and dominates in the paint |
| San Antonio | Tim Duncan | 石佛(Shi Fo ) | Stone Buddha | Duncan is very strong and calm just like the Buddha. |
| San Antonio | Emanuel Ginobili | é˜¿æ ¹å»·é£žäºº (A Gan Ting Fei Ren) | Argentina’s Flying Man | Ginobili’s ability to jump. And he is a player from Argentina |
| San Antonio |
Robert Horry |
关键先生 (Guan Jian Xian Shen) |
The Key Man |
Horry’s ability to make clutch shots |
| Seattle |
Ray Allen |
绅士 (Shen Shi) |
Gentleman |
Allen’s gentlemanly manner on court |
| Toronto |
Chris Bosh |
龙王 (Long Wang) |
King of the Dragons |
He’s seen as the leader of the Raptors |
| Utah | Derek Fisher | å°é±¼ (Xiao Yu) | Little fish | Loose translation of his last name “Fisher†|
| Washington | Gilbert Arenas | 大将军 (Da Jiang Jun) | General | Arenas is peerless and commanding in the league. |
