What makes a great sports nickname? 

Could it be coupling the first initial of a player’s first name with an abbreviated last name, i.e. S-Jax or K-Mart?

No, that form of nicknaming is bland, lacks creativity and is ultimately so 2000 and late.

Initials?

No, they’re out too, A.I., A.D, and CP3 leave us wanting more.

A great sports nickname means a catchy moniker with pizzazz that encapsulates what the player brings to the sport.

Shaquille O’Neal, Boston Celtics center and giant marketing genius has all kinds of nicknames, many of which are great, some of which miss the point a little, but overall Shaq’s nicknames hit the target.

Sure, you know all the common ones; Shaq Diesel, (the player formerly known as) Superman, and Shaq Daddy. But have you heard the “Big Aristotle”? Or the more recent installments: “The Big Cactus”, “The Big Witness”, “The Big Shamrock” and, my personal favorite, “Shaqovic” (because in his words, all guys with “vic” at the end of their names can shoot)?

Shaq gets it; you have to have fun with sports nicknames. This is entertainment, people. He is an entertainer and his names demonstrate that.

Michael Jordan’s nickname, "His Airness", is perfect, royalty and shows no regard for gravity.

Celtic great Larry Bird’s “Larry Legend” nickname explains itself.

Here is a list of 10 more unforgettable nicknames:

1. Bryant “Big Country” Reeves
2. George “Iceman” Gervin
3. “The Big Hurt” Frank Thomas
4. The Michael Vick Experience
5. “The Flying Housewife” Fanny Blankers-Koen
6. Eric “Sleepy” Floyd
7. “White Chocolate” Jason Williams
8. Rod “He Hate Me” Smart
9. Shoeless Joe Jackson
10. Medowlark Lemon