Rankings the best NBA nicknames of all time

29. Born Ready

For a New York-born basketball prodigy, there are several dreams that become goals that become badges of honor. Winning a city or state championship is something any player could want to do; earning a nickname at Harlem’s Rucker Park, from no less an authority than announcer Bobbito Garcia, is a signal post for success unique to the city and something that can stick forever.

At Brooklyn’s Abraham Lincoln High School, an incubator for hardwood success, Stephenson became a legend in leading the Railsplitters to four consecutive city championships, the first time that had ever been accomplished. Stephenson’s devil-may-care attitude and penchant for flair, sometimes to a fault, made him an instantly recognizable and notable figure in New York, where he set the state record for points in high school basketball. He has never been one to back down from a challenge, whether it be O.J. Mayo at a high school camp when he was 12 or blowing into LeBron James’ ear in the playoffs when he was 23. Fearless, a wrecking ball, somewhat psychotic: Lance Stephenson is Born Ready.

He has carried his personality to the NBA, where he was once a borderline All-Star. Indiana Lance is a noticeably better player than anywhere-else Lance, save perhaps for New York City, but Stephenson brought his Born Ready nickname and style to the Heartland for a second stint, where he is currently a bench hero for a Pacers team surprisingly gearing up for the postseason. Stephenson has a Born Ready tattoo and even turned the name  into wallpaper when he was in Charlotte. Born Ready is eternal.