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The NBA has informed members of the Miami Heat and Brooklyn Nets that the league is considering having both teams suit up wearing jerseys with players' nicknames during one of their four scheduled meetings during the upcoming 2013-14 season.
While the league hasn't officially announced these plans, it seems that the teams have known about the likelihood of it happening for several weeks.
Ray Allen plans to wear Shuttlesworth on his jersey; he's had the alias Jesus Shuttlesworth since playing the role in Spike Lee's movie "He Got Game."
"It shows growth in our league and it shows we do adapt to what's going on around us," he said. "And we're still kids, playing a kids' game. Even though we're now men playing a kids' game, we still remember where we come from. Everybody had a nickname and it's a way to let the fans in a little bit more."
In contrast to Allen, teammate Shane Battier who wasn't too thrilled with the idea of nicknames said he wanted to wear "Batman" on his jersey but was told that Warner Brothers holds the rights to that name so will settle for "Shaneo" instead.
Four-time MVP LeBron James is expected to wear "King James," while Dwyane Wade may go with "Three" -- he famously requested to be called that after the Heat won its second straight NBA title, the third of his career -- or go with "D-Wade."
As for the Nets, Paul Pierce will likely go with "The Truth" a nickname he's been called for several years and Kevin Garnett could go with "KG" or "The Big Ticket."
Both teams face-off in Brooklyn on November 1st and January 10th, while the Nets will visit AmericanAirlines Arena on March 12th and April 8th.
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