エアー、ドクターJ、マジック・・・NBA選手のカッコよすぎニックネームランキング
ランキングサイト<Ranker>による、NBA選手BESTニックネーム・ランキングをご紹介しよう。誰もが納得の"神"から現役バリバリのスタープレイヤーまで、常識&意外と知らなかったカッコよすぎるニックネームがズラリ揃っているぞ!

まずはやっぱりこの人、シカゴ・ブルズに在籍した90年代に一世を風靡しNBAのアイコンとなったマイケル・ジョーダン。彼のシグネチャーモデルのバッシューにも冠された"Air Jordan"という呼び名を知らない人はいないだろう。
そしてジョーダンと肩を並べる偉人、ロサンゼルス・レイカーズに所属したマジック・ジョンソン。70年代後半から90年初頭まで、まさに"Magic"と呼ばれるにふさわしい偉業を遺した名選手だ。
そんなジョンソンの憧れだったのが、70年代にトリッキーなテクニックで人気を集め、その正確なシュートで得点を量産したことから "Pistol Pete"と呼ばれたピート・マラビッチ。さらに、90年代のユタ・ジャズの顔とも言えるのが、どんな時でも確実にボールをゴールまで「配達する」という 意味で"The Mailman(郵便配達人)"と呼ばれたカール・マローンも根強い人気を誇る職人系選手だ。
また、ダンクでボードをたたき壊す「シャック・アタック」などパワフルなプレースタイルから"The Diesel(機関車)"と呼ばれたシャキール・オニールは、ラッパー"シャック・ディーゼル"として活動するなど、お気に入りの呼び名の様子である。
もちろん、現役バリバリの選手たちにも輝かしいニックネームが。現在のNBAを代表する選手の1人であり、かのジョーダンを引き合いに出されるモノホンの才能と輝かしい実績によって"King James"と称されるレブロン・ジェームズ。NBAの中では平均的な体格にもかかわらず、人間離れした身体能力を持つことから"The Matrix"なる異名を持つショーン・マリオン。
完璧な肉体を持つドワイト・ハワードは、"Superman"の名に恥じぬ実力を持つ現役最強のダンク・スター。そんなハワードを、36cmという身長差に もかかわらず見事ダンク勝負で破ったネイト・ロビンソンには(スーパーマンの弱点である鉱物"クリプトナイト"をもじった)"KryptoNate"とい う粋なニックネームがつけられていたりする。
しかし、中には出演したCMでお婆ちゃんのコスプレしたおかげで"Grandmama"と呼ばれたラリー・ジョンソンや、「髪型がオモロい」という理由だけで"Hair Canada"と名づけられたスティーブ・ナッシュなど、ちょっとトホホなエピソードもあり...。
ともあれ、NBA選手たちにとってニックネームは一流の証だ。呼び名はもちろん、その由来や選手のキャラを知っておくとさらにNBAが楽しめるので、是非あなたも"推しメン"を見つけて応援しよう!
【参照リンク】
・The Best NBA Player Nicknames
http://www.ranker.com/list/the-best-nba-player-nicknames/kevin
■関連リンク
・【動画】NBAファイナル2013がスラムダンク級に感動すると話題 レブロンはあきらめの悪い男
・コービー・ブライアント、ツイッターでD・ハワードの移籍情報を知る フォロー外し
・【動画】NBAファイナルのプロモーションアニメがカッコよすぎると話題に
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 09: The Japanese women's football team poses with the silver medal after the Women's Football gold medal match on Day 13 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Wembley Stadium on August 9, 2012 in London, England.
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 09: The Japanese women's football team poses with the silver medal after the Women's Football gold medal match on Day 13 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Wembley Stadium on August 9, 2012 in London, England.
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 06: Aya Sameshima of Japan in action during the Women's Football Semi Final match between France and Japan on Day 10 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Wembley Stadium on August 6, 2012 in London, England.
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 06: Corine Franco of France battles with Nahomi Kawasumi of Japan during the Women's Football Semi Final match between France and Japan on Day 10 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Wembley Stadium on August 6, 2012 in London, England.
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 06: Homare Sawa of Japan looks on during the Women's Football Semi Final match between France and Japan on Day 10 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Wembley Stadium on August 6, 2012 in London, England.
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 06: Homare Sawa of Japan shoots at goal during the Women's Football Semi Final match between France and Japan on Day 10 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Wembley Stadium on August 6, 2012 in London, England.
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 06: Japan fans show their support during the Women's Football Semi Final match between France and Japan on Day 10 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Wembley Stadium on August 6, 2012 in London, England.
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 06: Japan fans celebrate after the Women's Football Semi Final match between France and Japan on Day 10 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Wembley Stadium on August 6, 2012 in London, England.
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 06: The Japan team thank the support during the Women's Football Semi Final match between France and Japan on Day 10 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Wembley Stadium on August 6, 2012 in London, England.
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 06: Japan players celebrate after the Women's Football Semi Final match between France and Japan on Day 10 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Wembley Stadium on August 6, 2012 in London, England.
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 06: Miho Fukumoto of Japan shouts instructions during the Women's Football Semi Final match between France and Japan on Day 10 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Wembley Stadium on August 6, 2012 in London, England.
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 06: Mizuho Sakaguchi of Japan celebrates scoring the second goal during the Women's Football Semi Final match between France and Japan on Day 10 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Wembley Stadium on August 6, 2012 in London, England.
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 06: Mizuho Sakaguchi of Japan celebrates scoring the second goal during the Women's Football Semi Final match between France and Japan on Day 10 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Wembley Stadium on August 6, 2012 in London, England.
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 06: Mizuho Sakaguchi of Japan in action during the Women's Football Semi Final match between France and Japan on Day 10 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Wembley Stadium on August 6, 2012 in London, England.
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 06: Japan coach, Norio Sasaki gives instructions during the Women's Football Semi Final match between France and Japan on Day 10 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Wembley Stadium on August 6, 2012 in London, England.
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 06: Yuki Ogimi of Japan in action during the Women's Football Semi Final match between France and Japan on Day 10 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Wembley Stadium on August 6, 2012 in London, England.
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 06: Yuki Ogimi of Japan in action during the Women's Football Semi Final match between France and Japan on Day 10 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Wembley Stadium on August 6, 2012 in London, England.
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PARIS, FRANCE - MAY 30: Maria Sharapova of Russia looks on in her Women's Singles match against Eugenie Bouchard of Canada during day five of the French Open at Roland Garros on May 30, 2013 in Paris, France.
PARIS, FRANCE - MAY 24: Tennis player Maria Sharapova attends 2013 Roland Garros French Open : Women's And Men's Singles Draw on May 24, 2013 in Paris, France.
NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 17: Maria Sharapova attends the 5th Anniversary of the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund at Skylight Studios on November 17, 2008 in New York City.
Maria Sharapova attends the launch of Maria Sharapova by Cole Haan Collection at the Cole Haan at Rockefeller Center on August 27, 2009 in New York City.
Launch of Maria Sharapova by Cole Haan Collection
Cole Haan at Rockefeller Center
New York, NY United States
August 27, 2009
Photo by Jamie McCarthy/WireImage.com
Maria Sharapova arrives at the 2011 ESPY Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on July 13, 2011 in Los Angeles, California.
TOKYO - SEPTEMBER 25: Maria Sharapova attends a press conference promoting a collection "Maria Sharapova by Cole Haan" as a part of the company's 2009 Fall Women's collection at the Peninsula Tokyo on September 25, 2009 in Tokyo, Japan.
Tennis superstar Maria Sharapova attends Evian's Baby On The Inside advertisement promotion at the Openhouse Gallery on August 24, 2010 in New York City.
Maria Sharapova Attends Evian's Baby On The Inside Advertisement Promotion
Openhouse Gallery
New York, NY United States
August 24, 2010
LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 16: Maria Sharapova arrives at the WTA Tour Pre-Wimbledon Party at The Roof Gardens, Kensington on June 16, 2011 in London, England.
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 19: Tennis player Maria Sharapova attends the 2010 CFDA Vogue Fashion Fund Finalists Celebration with Frederic Fekkai and Lisa Love at Chateau Marmont on October 19, 2010 in Los Angeles, California.
LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 30: Maria Sharapova of Russia celebrates match point after winning her semifinal round match against Sabine Lisicki of Germany on Day Ten of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on June 30, 2011 in London, England.
TORONTO, ON - AUGUST 14: Maria Sharapova co-hosts The TAG Heuer Cocktail Reception at the Royal De Versailles Jewellers on August 14, 2009 in Toronto, Canada.
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Copyright Brian Finke, "Title," Date, Courtesy of ClampArt, New York City
Copyright Brian Finke, "Title," Date, Courtesy of ClampArt, New York City
Copyright Brian Finke, "Title," Date, Courtesy of ClampArt, New York City
Copyright Brian Finke, "Title," Date, Courtesy of ClampArt, New York City
Copyright Brian Finke, "Title," Date, Courtesy of ClampArt, New York City
Copyright Brian Finke, "Title," Date, Courtesy of ClampArt, New York City
Copyright Brian Finke, "Title," Date, Courtesy of ClampArt, New York City
Copyright Brian Finke, "Title," Date, Courtesy of ClampArt, New York City
Copyright Brian Finke, "Title," Date, Courtesy of ClampArt, New York City
Copyright Brian Finke, "Title," Date, Courtesy of ClampArt, New York City
Copyright Brian Finke, "Title," Date, Courtesy of ClampArt, New York City
Copyright Brian Finke, "Title," Date, Courtesy of ClampArt, New York City
Copyright Brian Finke, "Title," Date, Courtesy of ClampArt, New York City
Copyright Brian Finke, "Title," Date, Courtesy of ClampArt, New York City
Copyright Brian Finke, "Title," Date, Courtesy of ClampArt, New York City
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A Greenpeace activist, dressed as a polar bear, sits inside a police car after being detained outside Gazprom's headquarters in Moscow, Russia, Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2012. Russian and international environmentalists are protesting against Gazprom's plans to pioneer oil drilling in the Arctic. (Misha Japaridze, AP)
People fish from Inversnaid Pier on November 30, 2012 in Loch Lomond, Scotland. Weather warnings have been issued as temperatures start to fall below freezing across many parts of the UK. The cold snap follows recent, severe flooding, which has affected areas of Western and Northen England. (Jeff J Mitchell, Getty Images)
Homeless people sleep at the Komolapur railway terminal in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2012. (A.M. Ahad, AP)
The construction of One World Trade Center, now up to 104 floors, is seen Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2012, across the Hudson River as a runner glides his hand at Liberty State Park in Jersey City, N.J., along the wall of 'Empty Sky,' New Jersey's memorial to the 749 people from the state lost during the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. Americans paused again Tuesday to mark the 11th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks with familiar ceremonies, but also a sense that it's time to move forward after a decade of remembrance. (Mel Evans, AP)
A model presents a design by Bora Aksu during his Spring/Summer 2013 show at London Fashion Week in London, Friday, Sept. 14, 2012. (Alastair Grant, AP)
A roller coaster sits in the ocean after the Casino Pier collapsed when Superstorm Sandy hit, on November 25, 2012 in Seaside Heights, New Jersey. Mayor Bill Akers has asked the Coast Guard to find out whether the coaster is structurally stable, adding that it would make a great tourist attraction. (Mark Wilson, Getty Images)
This time exposure photo shows the Falcon 9 SpaceX rocket lifting off from space launch complex 40 at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Fla. on Sunday, Oct. 7, 2012. The rocket is carrying supplies to the International Space Station. (Terry Renna, AP)
Northern lights (aurora borealis) illuminate the sky over Potter Marsh, foreground, and in the distance, Anchorage, Alaska, on Saturday, Oct. 13, 2012 shortly after midnight. (Dan Joling, AP)
Spanish acrobat David Pereira is silhouetted as he performs on the roof terrace of a hotel with the 368 meters high television tower in the background during a photo call in Berlin, Germany, Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2012. Pereira and other artists presented parts of the new show "Made in Berlin" of the Wintergarten Berlin Variety, which will premiere Aug. 9, 2012. (Gero Breloer, AP)
Beach visitors of different sorts watch the sunset in Dauphin Island, Ala., Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2012. (Dave Martin, AP)
Athletes jump over water during the men's 3000m steeplechase heats at the 2012 Summer Olympics at Olympic Stadium on Friday, Aug. 3, 2012, in London. (Adam Pretty, Pool / AP)
In this photo taken with a fisheye lens, French athletes watch pyrotechnics illuminating the sky above the Olympic Stadium during the Closing Ceremony at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Monday, Aug. 13, 2012, in London. (Matt Dunham, AP)
Japanese gymnast Yusuke Tanaka performs on the rings during the Artistic Gymnastic men's team final at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 30, 2012, in London. (Julie Jacobson, AP)
RS:X athlete Lee Tae Hoon, from South Korea, trains ahead of the London 2012 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 27, 2012, in Weymouth and Portland. (Bernat Armangue, AP)
The pack passes a field with sunflowers during the 18th stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 222.5 kilometers (138.3 miles) with start in Blagnac and finish in Brive-la-Gaillarde, France, Friday July 20, 2012. (Laurent Cipriani, AP)
A reveler is tossed by a Dolores Aguirre Yabarra ranch fighting bull during the running of the bulls of the San Fermin festival, in Pamplona Spain, Saturday, July 7, 2012. (Daniel Ochoa de Olza, AP)
A fisherman works on fish traps at sunset in Malkiya village, Bahrain, on the Persian Gulf coast Tuesday July 10, 2012. (Hasan Jamali, AP)
The Global Rainbow is projected into the night sky from Scrabo Tower, Newtownards, Northern Ireland, Friday, March 16, 2012. The large scale outdoor laser projection created by New York artist Yvette Mattern is visible across the night sky, the event signals 100 days to go until the opening of the London 2012 Festival which is a tweleve-week festival of arts running parallel to the Olympic Games taking place in London. (Peter Morrison, AP)
One World Trade Center, left, and nearby buildings, are reflected in the glass facade of the National September 11 Museum, Monday, March 19, 2012 in New York. The tower, now up to the 93rd floor, is expected to be completed in late 2013. (Mark Lennihan, AP)
A trail of slurry is deposited by a bomber during a run over a smoldering ridge in the Lower North Fork Wildfire burning in the foothills community of Conifer, Colo., southwest of Denver on Tuesday, March 27, 2012. Firefighters are now able to actively battle the blaze on the ground that started on Monday and has already destroyed at least 16 homes in the rugged terrain. (David Zalubowski, AP)
An activist shields herself as a police officer pepper sprays her during a protest outside a military club in downtown Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Thursday March 29, 2012. A club of retired military officers held its annual celebration of Brazil's 1964 military coup as usual, but faced protestors as members arrived for the event. Unlike its Latin American neighbors, Brazil never had a formal investigation into its 20-year dictatorship. (Felipe Dana, AP)
A girl wears an angel costume during Blood of Christ celebrations at the Metropolitan Cathedral in Managua, Nicaragua, Friday March 30, 2012. The celebration marks the start of Holy Week in Nicaragua. (Esteban Felix, AP)
People walk past the Malvinas Falklands war Memorial in Ushuaia, Argentina, Sunday, April 1, 2012. April 2 marks the thirtieth anniversary of the military confrontation when the country was defeated by the United Kingdom for the remote archipelago in the South Atlantic, the Falkland Islands, known as the Malvinas by the Argentines. (Natacha Pisarenko, AP)
Firefighters greet each other in the aftermath of a fire in a warehouse on York Street near Kensington Avenue in Philadelphia on Monday, April 9, 2012. Two firefighters died after a wall collapsed on them while they fought the massive early-morning blaze. (Matt Rourke, AP)
A full moon is seen behind the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, early Wednesday July 4, 2012. (Felipe Dana, AP)
Revelers hold up traditional red neckties during the 'Chupinazo', the official opening of the 2012 San Fermin fiestas, Friday, July 6, 2012 in Pamplona, Spain. Revelers from around the world kick off the San Fermin festival with a messy party in the Pamplona town square, one day before the first of eight days of the running of the bulls. (Daniel Ochoa de Olza, AP)
Revelers run on Estafeta street beside to Fuente Ymbro fighting bulls ranch as people look on from balconies above, during the fifth running of the bulls, at the San Fermin fiestas, in Pamplona, northern Spain, Wednesday, July 11, 2012. (Alvaro Barrientos, AP)
Forest fires rage on the hills above the city of Funchal in the Portuguese Atlantic island of Madeira Wednesday night, July 18, 2012. Residents living near wooded areas at the edge of the island's largest city fled in panic after one blaze engulfed an unspecified number of houses and threatened others. (Joana Sousa, AP)
An Italian firefighter is lowered from an helicopter onto the grounded cruise ship Costa Concordia off the Tuscan island of Giglio, Italy, Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2012. Residents of Giglio are growing increasingly worried about threats to the environment and the future of the Italian island following the suspension of the recovery operation of the capsized cruise ship Costa Concordia. (Pier Paolo Cito, AP)
A conductor of the Chinese military band rehearses before the opening session of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) held in Beijing's Great Hall of the People, China, Saturday, March 3, 2012. (Ng Han Guan, AP)
In this photo made with a long exposure, several thousands of people with torches form a human chain during the anniversary of Japan's earthquake and nuclear disaster of Fukushima one year ago, during an event to mark the anniversary in front of the pit 'Konrad' near Salzgitter, Germany, on Sunday, March 11, 2012. Pit 'Konrad' is a former iron ore mine proposed as a deep geological repository for medium- and low level radioactive waste. (Jens Meyer, AP)
People enjoy a fountain in front of the Revolution Monument in Mexico City, Tuesday, March 13, 2012. (Alexandre Meneghini, AP)
View of the fireworks display organized by Kuwait's government to commemorate Constitution Day in Kuwait City on Saturday, Nov 10, 2012. The 60 minute $14 million spectacle is competing for a place in the Guiness Book of Records. (Gustavo Ferrari, AP)
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis reacts as he is introduced before an NFL preseason football game against the Detroit Lions in Baltimore, Friday, Aug. 17, 2012. (Nick Wass, AP)
Performers with umbrellas are suspended in the air during the Opening Ceremony for the 2012 Paralympics in London, Wednesday Aug. 29, 2012. (Kirsty Wigglesworth, AP)
People walk beside an illuminated model of the Eiffel Tower (12 meters high) in the landscape park Miniwelt (Miniworld) during the sunset in Lichtenstein, eastern Germany, Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012. The cultural park Miniworld presents about 100 original and true-to detail buildings and technical facilities at a 1:25 scale ranging on an area of 6,5 hectares. All buildings invite the visitors to take a walk through the last 3,500 years of building history, moving from the ancient world to present. (Jens Meyer, AP)
Revelers play with tomato pulp during the annual "tomatina" tomato fight fiesta in the village of Bunol, near Valencia, Spain, Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012. Bunol's town hall estimated more than 40,000 people, some from as far away as Japan and Australia, took up arms Wednesday with 100 tons of tomatoes in the yearly food fight known as the 'Tomatina' now in its 64th year. (Alberto Saiz, AP)
Team Spain performs on their way to win the golden medal of the free combination synchronise swimming at the European Championships Diving and Synchronized Swimming at Pieter van den Hoogenband stadium in Eindhoven, south central Netherlands, Sunday May 27, 2012. (Ermino Armino, AP)
President Barack Obama jokingly mimics U.S. Olympic gymnast McKayla Maroney's "not impressed" look while greeting members of the 2012 U.S. Olympic gymnastics teams in the Oval Office, Nov. 15, 2012. Steve Penny, USA Gymnastics President, and Savannah Vinsant laugh at left. (Pete Souza, White House)
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