Nerdy Names?  No Problem for NBA Stars

Tough childhood tauntings don't stop these All-Stars from Shining

SALINE, MICHIGAN  FEBRUARY 19, 2006

Today is another rendition of the NBA All-Star game, overall an unwatchable offensive show that no one really cares about.  That goes the same for the three-point, dunk and skills contests that round out the weekend.  I'm not sure what the NBA needs to do, or if they even care, but this whole weekend is really just a joke.

I couldn't help but notice that many of the guys on the All-Star roster have names that would bring playground torment to most boys.  But these fine men have not only risen above their unfortunate names, they've risen to the top of the NBA and sleep like babies each night atop giant piles of money. 

Here's a look at some of the NBA guys with Nerd names or characteristics, and their All-Star Nerd namesakes:

ALL-NBA		NAME	ALL-NERD
The Wizards' Gilbert Arenas, no doubt dealt with major abuse as a young man.		Gilbert		Gilbert Lowell, quiet leader of the Tri Lams from Revenge of the Nerds. Stood up to Coach and the Alpha Betas at the pep rally.
Steve Nash, unlikely NBA MVP last season.  The name Steve isn't really nerdy but Nash is.  The Kelly Leak comparisons are worthy.		Steve		The Loveable nerd, TV's Steve Erkel, some argue Tommy Amaker look-alike.
Vince Carter, Air Canada. Vince was no doubt taunted as a child before he got a case of the leaps.		Vince		Vince Clortho, keymaster of Gozer, accountant, and a classic 1980s nerd from Ghostbusters.
Miami's Dwayne Wade, didn't really escape the name Dwayne until Shaq dubbed him 'Flash'		Dwayne		Nerdy Dwayne from 'What's Happening?'.  His signature nerdism, 'hey, Hey, hey' is all anyone remembers.  At least Rerun has the Pop- N-Lock.
Note:  Fortunately the Pistons don't have any guys with nerdy names.