Ranking the NBA nicknames

Thu. September 04, 2008; Posted: 04:06 AM

Sep 04, 2008 (The Oklahoman - McClatchy-Tribune News Service via COMTEX) -- BOS | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- Sep. 4--1. New York Knickerbockers: Unique & New York-centric.

2. Boston Celtics: Great name even without 17 titles.

3. Philadelphia 76ers: 89ers would have been good for OKC.

4. Detroit Pistons: Never heard of another Pistons.

5. Atlanta Hawks: Simple & regal.

6. Los Angeles Lakers: Makes no geographic sense but pleasing to the ears.

7. Phoenix Suns: Perfect for the desert.

8. Golden State Warriors: Great name in Philly and Frisco.

9. Charlotte Bobcats: Remarkably solid considering picked in 21st century.

10. Dallas Mavericks: Good play off Cowboys.

11. Cleveland Cavaliers: Has a nice ring to it.

12. Houston Rockets: Good tie-in to space industry.

13. Sacramento Kings: Sounds good, imagery shaky.

14. New Orleans Hornets: Not fancy, but Shinn's crew makes it work.

15. Memphis Grizzlies: Not great. Not bad.

16. Portland TrailBlazers: Almost always shortened.

17. Washington Wizards: I miss Bullets.

18. Denver Nuggets: Not crazy about mineral nicknames.

19. Chicago Bulls: Who says shorter is better?

20. Minnesota Timberwolves: Experts say Thunderbirds is too long. So why is Timberwolves OK?

21. San Antonio Spurs: No sizzle for a sizzling town.

22. Miami Heat: Best of singular names, which isn't saying much.

23. Toronto Raptors: Jurassic Park seems a long time ago.

24. Oklahoma City Thunder: Were all the plural names taken?

25. Milwaukee Bucks: Boring, boring, boring.

26. Utah Jazz: Good in New Orleans, stinks in Salt Lake.

27. Los Angeles Clippers: Nothing about this franchise works.

28. Indiana Pacers: Reference to another sport strange.

29. Orlando Magic: Tie to Disney World rather weak.

30. New Jersey Nets: Rhyming with Jets & Mets doesn't make it good.

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