Chinese Nicknames for NBA Players

Chinese Nicknames for NBA Players	Player	Chinese Nickname	Translation of Chinese Nickname	Explanation
	Ben Wallace	大本钟 (Da Ben Zhong)	Big Ben	Wallace’s size and ability to defend
	Zydrunas Ilgauskas	大 Z ( Da Z )	Big Z	Da means “big” and Z is the first letter of his first name
	LeBron James	小皇帝 (Xiao Huang Di)	Little Emperor	Direct translation of English nickname "King James"
	Emeka Okafor	猫王 (Mao Wang)	King of the Cats	Meaning leader of the Bobcats
	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.
	Carmelo Anthony	甜瓜 (Tian Gua)	Sweet Melon	The nickname “Melo” resembles “Melon”. “Sweet Melon” refers to Carmelo ‘s sweet and cute appearance
	Allen Iverson	答案 ( Da An )	The Answer	Direct translation of his English nickname
	Chauncy Billups	光滑 (Guang Hua)	Smooth	Direct translation of English nickname “Smooth”
	Richard Hamilton	面具人 (Mian Ju Ren)	Man in the Mask	Hamilton's habit of wearing a mask on court
	Tayshaun Prince	小王子 ( Xiao Wang Zi )	Little Prince	Direct translation of his last name “ Prince ”
	Dikembe Mutombo	非洲大山 (Fei Zhou Da Shan)	Africa’s Big Mountain	Mutombo’s ability to block shots. And he is a player from Africa
	Elton Brand	船长 (Chuan Zhang)	The Captain	He’s seen as the leader of the Clippers
	Cuttino Mobley	老猫 (Lao Mao)	Old Cat	Direct translation from English nickname “ The Cat”
	Kobe Bryant	小飞侠 (Xiao Fei Xia)	Little Flying warrior	Bryant’s ability to jump
	Damon Stoudemire	小飞鼠 (Xiao Fei Shu)	Little Flying Mouse	For his speed and the ability to pass through opposing players
	Shaquille O'Neal	俠客 (Xia Ke)	Warrior	"Xia Ke" means righteous and respectful warriors in ancient China
	Gary Payton	手套 (Shou Tao)	The Glove	Dir Payton’s ability to defend, like a glove stuck on the opponent
	Dwyane Wade	闪电侠 (Shan Dian Xia)	The Flash	For his lighting fast style of playing
	Jason Williams	白巧克力 (Bai Qiao Ke Li)	White Chocolate	Direct translation of his English nickname
	Kevin Garnett	狼王 (Lang Wang)	King of the Wolves	Meaning leader of the Timberwolves
	Vince Carter	飞人 (Fei Ren)	Flying Man	Carter's ability to leap and make amazing dunks
	Jason Kidd	发动机 (Fa Dong Ji)	The Engine	Kidd is the “engine” behind the Nets’ offense
	Steve Francis	特权 (Te Quan)	Special Rights	Direct translation of the word “ Franchise”
	Grant Hill	好好先生 (Houhou Xian Shen)	Mr. Nice	Direct translation of English nickname
	Andre Iguodala	小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.
	Boris Diaw	法国魔术师 (Fa Guo Mo Shu Shi)	French Magician	Diaw’s ability to play basketball as if playing magic. And he is a player from France.
	Amare Stoudemire	小霸王 (Xiao Ba Wang)	Little Lord	Amare is young and dominates in the paint
	Tim Duncan	石佛(Shi Fo )	Stone Buddha	Duncan is very strong and calm just like the Buddha.
	Emanuel Ginobili	阿根廷飞人 (A Gan Ting Fei Ren)	Argentina's Flying Man	Ginobili's ability to jump. And he is a player from Argentina
	Robert Horry	关键先生 (Guan Jian Xian Shen)	The Key Man	Horry’s ability to make clutch shots
	Ray Allen	绅士 (Shen Shi)	Gentleman	Allen’s gentlemanly manner on court
	Chris Bosh	龙王 (Long Wang)	King of the Dragons	He’s seen as the leader of the Raptors
	Derek Fisher	小鱼 (Xiao Yu)	Little fish	Loose translation of his last name “Fisher”
	Gilbert Arenas	大将军 (Da Jiang Jun)	General	Arenas is peerless and commanding in the league.