Let's have some fun and look at the nickname matchup in this first round series.
Nickname Matchup: Hawk-Names vs Knick-Names
The 4-5 matchup in the East should be one of the most compelling series in the first round of the playoffs. Playoff basketball is always decided by the individual matchups. Everyone knows the statistics – points, rebounds, assists – but there is more to these matchups than that. Who has the best nicknames - the Hawks or the Knicks?
Enough about the past. Let’s look at the nickname matchups for this series. We will start with the starters.
Point Guard
The Hawks are helmed by “Ice” Trae Young. Not only is this a strong nickname but Trae has also adopted shivering after big shots bringing the nickname to life. Ryan Cameron punctuates each of the point guard’s deep triples with “TRAE-T-L for THREEEEEE!”. The Knicks have started Elfrid “Elf” Payton for the whole season. The shorthand nickname “Elf” does not instill fear into any opponent. In fact, it makes you think of Will Ferrell movie character. Advantage Hawks.
Shooting Guard
At shooting guard, Bogdan Bogdanovic is going against Reggie Bullock. Bogdanovic, in his first season with the Hawks, is best known as “Bogey”, a smooth nickname for a leading man. His distinctive name and his lights out shooting ability have led to another nickname, “Bangdanovic!” Reggie Bullock has no nickname at all. Advantage Hawks.
Small Forward
The Hawks are happy to have De’Andre Hunter back for the playoffs. Much like his quiet demeanor, De’Andre has not had many nicknames. At UVA, he was known as “Big Game Hunter”, which is reminiscent of Laker great “Big Game” James Worthy. In Atlanta, it was initially reported De’Andre was given the nickname “Megatron” by John Collins and some coaches for being so strong. Hunter later corrected this saying that the real nickname was “Optimus”. For the Knicks, R.J. Barrett has been widely heralded at every stage of his career and has picked up multiple monikers. In a comparison to Kobe, R. J. has been called “The Maple Mamba” because he is from Canada. He has been called “Headband Ro” because his first name is Rowan, “Duke of York” which combines his collegiate and professional teams, and Star J, a clever play on his initials. Advantage Knicks.
Power Forward
John “JC” Collins’ nicknames have referred to his dunking ability with a religious flair - the “Dunkin’ Deacon” and the fan favorite “John the Baptist.” Julius Randle has had a ridiculous year- even getting some MVP buzz. His astonishing improvement has made his less than flattering nicknames, “BeyBlade”, truly obsolete. Randle’s other nickname is “Orange Julius.” While a marked improvement, a nickname based on a chain of retail juice stores is no match for a nickname based on a Biblical holy man. Advantage Hawks.
Center
The center match up features a pair of defensive-minded players, Clint Capela and Nerlens Noel. Their nicknames refer to landmarks and are in the lineage of defensive superstar and Hall of Fame inductee “Big Ben” Wallace. Noel’s defense has garnered him the clever nickname “Nerlen Wall” for protecting the basket. Capela, the Hawks big man from Switzerland, similarly has been dubbed “The Swiss Bank”. Advantage Knicks.
Now for the reserves.
Advantage Hawks.
Certainly, this series will be decided on the court, but looking only at nicknames, the Hawks lead 4-2. I am taking this as a good omen.