FanIQ News: A Look at NBA team nickname origins. Did you know the Celtics nearly were the Unicorns?

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10/29/09

A Look at NBA team nickname origins. Did you know the Celtics nearly were the Unicorns?

submitted by redsox1002003

more posts by author

Read Article: (www.mentalfloss.com)

This is a list of the origins of all the NBA team names (The Sonics origin is in the Thunder section). Some highlights:

Boston- Named the Celtics by owner Walter Brown over Whirlwinds, Olympians and Unicorns

Memphis- Originally named Mounties in Vancouver, until fans and mounted police were angered. Then named Grizzlies over Ravens in a contest. When they moved to Memphis, FedEx offered $120 Million to rename team Express, but NBA rejected.

Orlando- Originally named Challengers (after 1986 space shuttle crash) in a contest. Won over Floridians, Juice, Orbits, Astronauts, Aquamen, and Sentinels. A panel of judges threw out all those named and picked Magic.

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10/29/09

WhoDat12

6	Just think, this is the logo we could have seen on the parquet floor of the hallowed Boston Garden.

10/29/09

drn0iswatr

3	"Memphis- Originally named Mounties in Vancouver, until fans and mounted police were angered." - I swore I read "until fans mounted police" and I thought all the more reason to not call them the mounties.

10/29/09

100%InjuryRate

1	drn0iswatr wrote: "Memphis- Originally named Mounties in Vancouver, until fans and mounted police were angered." - I swore I read "until fans mounted police" and I thought all the more reason to not call them the mounties. I'm not really sure why people would be so pissed about Mounties. Kind of bizarre.

10/29/09

redsox1002003

0	just imagine if FedEx got to rename the Grizzlies. we would have companies buying teams and naming them after the company. talk about product placement.

10/29/09

WhoDat12

6	Just think, this is the logo we could have seen on the parquet floor of the hallowed Boston Garden.

10/29/09

redsox1002003

0	WhoDat12 wrote: Just think, this is the logo we could have seen on the parquet floor of the hallowed Boston Garden. did you just make that? wow. that was quick!

10/29/09

mk_donley

0	Cleveland PRESIDENTS??? You have got to be kidding me! I wondered what their unifroms WOULD"VE been like, have they been NOT named the Cavs? P.S. Why is the Washington franchise still named the Wizards? Did the owners reject the NAACP's complaints?

10/29/09

drn0iswatr

0	100%InjuryRate wrote: I'm not really sure why people would be so pissed about Mounties. Kind of bizarre. agreed - its not like it is offensive - is it?

10/29/09

YankeeDudeL

1	100%InjuryRate wrote: I'm not really sure why people would be so pissed about Mounties. Kind of bizarre. How about the Kansas City S.W.A.T.?

10/29/09

YankeeDudeL

0	I almost forgot about when the Nets were going to change their name. I so wish they would have went w/ Swamp Dragons. Also, how many times does "Dragons" have to be shot down?

10/29/09

gobigblue1960

1	The Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons... These guys were the predecessors to the Detroit Pistons. Owner Fred Zollner sold auto parts, and moved the team to the Motor City in 1957.

10/29/09

drwurst

0	gobigblue1960 wrote: The Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons... These guys were the predecessors to the Detroit Pistons. Owner Fred Zollner sold auto parts, and moved the team to the Motor City in 1957. wow, awesome graphic tho!