Jersey changes and uniform alterations tend to be met with resistance from those hesitant to depart from the status quo. Apparently the NBA isn't worried about these people, however, as the league plans on a new tweak to the uniforms of the Miami Heat and Brooklyn Nets.
The Heat and Nets, the former the NBA champions while the latter might represent the "hippest" team in the Association, may be ditching the players' last names on the back of their jerseys, and replacing them with nicknames.
Reigning MVP LeBron James' jersey, for instance, would read "King James," and sharp-shooting NBA Finals hero Ray Allen's will read "Shuttlesworth," a nod to his Hollywood star turn as Jesus Shuttlesworth in Spike Lee's He Got Game.
Dwyane Wade has several nicknames to choose from; he can go with "Wow," a self-given moniker, "Flash," a nickname bestowed upon him when he won his first title alongside Shaquille O'Neal, "Three," representing his jersey number and title total, or "D-Wade."
For the Nets Paul Pierce's jersey would read "The Truth," while Kevin Garnett's nickname, "The Big Ticket," could be the coolest of them all.
The new idea isn't so great to all the players, however. Phoenix Suns guard Kendall Marshall took to Twitter to express dissent. 'The nickname makes it more about the individual,'' Marshall tweeted. ''It's still a team sport. Represent your team, your family, and go out there and play.''
Allen disagreed, pointing out "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.''
''Fans will like it and so will a lot of the players,'' Allen said. ''Guys will get a good kick out of it.''
© Copyright 2024 Sports World News, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.