Some NBA players will have a chance to wear their jerseys sporting a nickname of their choice for at least one game.
Associated Press Sports reports that some members of the Miami Heat have been told the NBA is considering having them and the Brooklyn Nets wear ”nickname jerseys” in at least one of their four match-ups this season.
The NBA has not confirmed the plan, but teams apparently have been aware of it happening for several weeks.
”It shows growth in our league and it shows we do adapt to what’s going on around us,” said Ray Allen, the Heat guard. Allen plans to wear “Shuttlesworth” on his jersey, a nod to the character from the movie ”He Got Game.”
He added, “We’re still kids, playing a kids’ game. Even though we’re now men playing a kids’ game, we still remember where we come from. Everybody had a nickname and it’s a way to let the fans in a little bit more.”
Players were asked to submit the names that they would want on their jerseys. If the nickname experiment is successful, some nicknames will be obvious – others, not so much.
King James is the obvious choice for four-time Heat MVP LeBron James. Guard Dwyane Wade could have two names, “Flash” and “Three,” which is both his jersey number and championship-ring total. He could also choose “D-Wade”
Brooklyn forward Paul Pierce has been dubbed ”The Truth” in the past, and fellow teammate forward Kevin Garnett is almost always referred to by his initials “KG.”
It will be interesting to see how the other players and fans respond to the jersey experiment. Only time will tell.
