Denver Nuggets: The Power of Nicknames and the Current Top 5
By Tim Hart
#1 “The Manimal” (Kenneth Faried)
“The Manimal” is the most recognized nickname on the Nuggets’ current roster, hands down. Tenacious on the offensive-glass, Faried has established himself as an energized power forward that plays well above his size.
Faried is listed at 6’8″, which is actually quite small for NBA Power Forwards. Kristaps Porzingis has set new heights for the position, starting for the Knicks at a listed 7’3″, yet “The Manimal” managed a big double-double in their last meeting, grabbing 10 boards and scoring 24 points. Players know it, fans know it, and Faried knows it; he is “The Manimal” because of the ferocious energy that he brings onto the court.
Disadvantaged by his height, Faried has over come significant odds, and acquired a loyal fan-base in the NBA through nasty dunks and blocks, even while he continues to stride towards an all-star year.
Inconsistent play has been the biggest critique of Faried in the NBA, but he is always reliable for at least one or two highlight plays per-game.
As the Nuggets’ biggest crowd-pleaser in recent memory, “The Manimal” has been secured as one of the NBA’s (currently) most used and recognized nicknames.
This likely makes Faried the most attractive trade option on the Nuggets’ team, which doesn’t mean that the organization is looking to drop “The Manimal”, but does mean that other teams may have their eyes on him.
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Regardless of where Faried plays, he still possesses a high ceiling, and can surely be counted on to keep fans smiling by supplying a plethora of “Manimalistic” moments.