hard to get his team to the playoffs. Meanwhile Little Emperor lords over the
East and his team just clinched a postseason spot.
Hold on, hold on, what are you talking about? Who is German Racecar? Little Emperor? Well, let us explain: those are NBA players' nicknames in China.
"German Racecar" is Dirk Nowitzki, his ability to roll on court like a racecar, and he is, of course, from Germany. Meanwhile, China's Little Emperor is our "King James." For instance, do you want to know why Tim Duncan is called Stone Buddha? Scroll down. And while you're there check out the 10 Chinese nicknames we picked for you to vote on in our poll.
NBA.com has posted a sampling of some of the best nicknames fans in China have given their favorite NBA players and the reasons behind it.
| Team | Player | Chinese Nickname | Translation of Chinese Nickname | Explanation |
| Chicago | Ben Wallace | 大本钟 (Da Ben Zhong) | Big Ben | Wallace’s size and ability to defend |
| Cleveland | Zydrunas Ilgauskas | 大 Z (Da Z) | Big Z | Da means “big” and Z is the first letter of his first name |
| Cleveland | LeBron James | 小皇帝 (Xiao Huang Di) | Little Emperor | Direct translation of English nickname "King James" |
| Charlotte | Emeka Okafor | 猫王 (Mao Wang) | King of the Cats | Meaning leader of the Bobcats |
| Dallas | 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. |
| Denver | Carmelo Anthony | 甜瓜 (Tian Gua) | Sweet Melon | The nickname “Melo” resembles “Melon”. “Sweet Melon” refers to Carmelo ‘s sweet and cute appearance |
| Denver | Allen Iverson | 答案 ( Da An ) | The Answer | Direct translation of his English nickname |
| Detroit | Chauncy Billups | 光滑 (Guang Hua) | Smooth | Direct translation of English nickname “Smooth” |
| Detroit | Richard Hamilton | 面具人 (Mian Ju Ren) | Man in the Mask | Hamilton's habit of wearing a mask on court |
| Detroit | Tayshaun Prince | 小王子 ( Xiao Wang Zi ) | Little Prince | Direct translation of his last name “ Prince ” |
| Houston | 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 |
| L.A. Clippers | Elton Brand | 船长 (Chuan Zhang) | The Captain | He’s seen as the leader of the Clippers |
| L.A. Clippers | Cuttino Mobley | 老猫 (Lao Mao) | Old Cat | Direct translation from English nickname “ The Cat” |
| L.A. Lakers | Kobe Bryant | 小飞侠 (Xiao Fei Xia) | Little Flying warrior | Bryant’s ability to jump |
| Memphis | Damon Stoudemire | 小飞鼠 (Xiao Fei Shu) | Little Flying Mouse | For his speed and the ability to pass through opposing players |
| Miami | Shaquille O'Neal | 俠客 (Xia Ke) | Warrior | "Xia Ke" means righteous and respectful warriors in ancient China |
| Miami | Gary Payton | 手套 (Shou Tao) | The Glove | Dir |
| Miami | Dwyane Wade | 闪电侠 (Shan Dian Xia) | The Flash | For his lighting fast style of playing |
| Miami | Jason Williams | 白巧克力 (Bai Qiao Ke Li) | White Chocolate | Direct translation of his English nickname |
| Minnesota | Kevin Garnett | 狼王 (Lang Wang) | King of the Wolves | Meaning leader of the Timberwolves |
| New Jersey | Vince Carter | 飞人 (Fei Ren) | Flying Man | Carter's ability to leap and make amazing dunks |
| New Jersey | Jason Kidd | 发动机 (Fa Dong Ji) | The Engine | Kidd is the “engine” behind the Nets’ offense |
| New York | Steve Francis | 特权 (Te Quan) | Special Rights | Direct translation of the word “ Franchise” |
| Orlando | Grant Hill | 好好先生 (Houhou Xian Shen) | Mr. Nice | Direct translation of English nickname |
| Philadelphia | 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. |
| Phoenix | 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. |
| Phoenix | Amare Stoudemire | 小霸王 (Xiao Ba Wang) | Little Lord | Amare is young and dominates in the paint |
| San Antonio | Tim Duncan | 石佛(Shi Fo ) | Stone Buddha | Duncan is very strong and calm just like the Buddha. |
| San Antonio | 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 |
| San Antonio | Robert Horry | 关键先生 (Guan Jian Xian Shen) | The Key Man | Horry’s ability to make clutch shots |
| Seattle | Ray Allen | 绅士 (Shen Shi) | Gentleman | Allen’s gentlemanly manner on court |
| Toronto | Chris Bosh | 龙王 (Long Wang) | King of the Dragons | He’s seen as the leader of the Raptors |
| Utah | Derek Fisher | 小鱼 (Xiao Yu) | Little fish | Loose translation of his last name “Fisher” |
| Washington | Gilbert Arenas | 大将军 (Da Jiang Jun) | General | Arenas is peerless and commanding in the league. |
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