Worm: Known as ‘The Worm,’ probably the most legitimate nickname of all time.
Crazy Hair & Piercing: He repeatedly dyed his hair in wild colors & designs, accompanied had many many piercings.
Boa, Veil & Garter: Rodman would often cross-dress and famously wore a wedding dress as a promotional stunt, claiming that he was bisexual and that he was marrying himself.
Noose: Rodman was found asleep in his car with a loaded rifle, he confessed having thought about suicide.
D-Fence: Despite all of his flamboyant antics on and off the court, Rodman was a ferocious defender. Rodman earned NBA All-Defensive First Team honors seven times and was voted NBA Defensive Player of the Year twice.
‘Kick the Leg’: He was arguably the best rebounding forward in NBA history and often emphatically kicked his leg out, for no reason, while doing so. He also was a part-time pro wrestler, so there was that.
A Blueberry: More like ‘Berry Sanders’, ha! *dad joke*
Motion Lines: The most elusive runner in NFL history, he never stopped moving.
Stop Sign: This guy could stop on a dime!
Shoes with Hook: Sanders’ retirement came quite unexpectedly and was a matter of controversy, he hung them up far too early.
#20: The man spent his entire professional career sporting the Detroit blue.
‘Hands Ball to Ref’: Despite his flashy playing style, Sanders was rarely seen celebrating after the whistle was blown. Instead, he preferred to hand the ball to a referee or congratulate his teammates.
LEBRON JAMES for ESPN Playbook
Crown: Nicknamed ‘King James’.
Ring: He finally got 1 (of 2, 3, 4, 5, 6…).
Sweatband: That thing sure does keep getting higher and higher.
Tattoos: Lots of them; the decision, the celebration, the disappointment, his Mom and home state (I didn’t forget Cleavland).
Sweat Wipe & ‘Pheew’: Sigh of relief for finally getting a title.
Cloud: For his signature pre-game powder ritual.
KEVIN DURANT for ESPN Playbook
Tarantula: Nicknamed ‘The Durantula’.
No. 35: Kevin has always worn jersey number 35.
Trophy: Surely the only thing he can think about.
Toy Guns: He is a straight-up shooter.
Cowboy Hat: He went to the University of Texas.
Tattoos: He’s got ice in his veins, is a 3-time NBA scoring champ and was the 2010 FIBA World Championship MVP.
Squeegee & Spray Bottle: For his squeeky clean image.
DERRICK ROSE for ESPN Playbook
Rose: The last name that speaks volumes.
Crutches: Unfortunately, Rose suffered a devastating injury in Game 1 of the Playoffs.
MVP & ROY: Most Valuable Play and Rookie Of the Year, just a few accomplishments in his young NBA career.
The Bean: Can you find it? He is a Chicago native, the city is in his blood.
No. 1: His jersey number and draft position.
Honey & Lock: A combination of “Pooh” and “Houdini,” in a nod to Rose’s “Poohdini” tattoo.
Hot Dog: Chicago style to be exact, no ketchup!
A Dream Catcher: Nicknamed Hakeem ‘The Dream’.
Ballet Shoes: Hakeem was one of the most agile big men of all time.
Shake: He put other big men on skates, with a set of fakes and spin moves that became known as his trademark Dream Shake.
Block: The all-time NBA leader in blocked shots.
2222: The Dream is 1 of only 4 players to have recorded a quadruple-double in the NBA.
Flag: He is a proud Nigeria native.
A Penny: Nicknamed ‘Penny’, a much better name than ‘Anfernee’.
1/2 Penny: Remember Lil’ Penny? Pure gold.
Cast & Bandages: His career was plagued with injuries.
Speech bubble: Penny tried to make a comeback, keyword tried.
Shoes: The classic Nike Air Foamposite One.
Potato: One of the best nicknames of all time, ‘Spud’.
Spider Web: Last name Webb.
5’6’ers: At 5 foot 6 inches, Mr. Webb was one of the shortest players ever to play in the NBA.
Dunk Crown: Spud was the shortest person ever to compete in the NBA Slam Dunk Contest, winning it in 1986.
Sock: Because a jagged arrow on a graph is stupid.
Mr Cyst: This guys was an assist.
Pass: Even his cyst is passing the ball to get an assist.
Short Shorts: Loved sporting the old-school shorty shorts.
Pear: He and Malone were a pair like no other, how many times did the announcers say ‘Stockton to Malone!”
