Can You Answer These Questions an NBA Expert Should Know?

By: Brian Whitney
Estimated Completion Time
3 min
Can You Answer These Questions an NBA Expert Should Know?
Image: Noam Galai / noamgalai.com/Moment/GettyImages

About This Quiz

Basketball is awesome. While football and baseball are still incredibly popular, to many people, there is nothing better than NBA basketball. This sport is packed with colorful personalities who are absolute freak athletes, and while there is plenty of fascinating history when it comes to the NBA, it also features an urban vibe, which is why so many people play the game on the street. 

How well do you know your NBA hoops? Do you know what it means when someone drops a dime or has good handles? Do you know who is best out of Kyrie Irving, Terry Rozier, and Brad Wanamaker? Who has won the most all-time championships? Who was Michael Jordan's sidekick, Scottie Pippin or Steve Kerr? Which player scored 100 points in a single game? Other than all his tattoos and odd behavior, what was Dennis Rodman know for on the basketball floor?

The thing is, basketball is kind of a tough game in that if you don't really know what you're doing, you're going to get exposed, but if you do you're going to put on a show. So when it comes to NBA knowledge, are you going to dunk in our face, or are we going to put you on a poster? Take this quiz to find out.

What does it mean when someone says Kyrie Irving has good "handles"?
He is a good ball handler.
He jumps high.
He is a good shooter.
He blocks a lot of shots.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Kyrie Irving is known as one of the best ball handlers in the NBA. He can get to any spot on the floor he wants to with ease.

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What NBA team is named after a car part?
The Boston Celtics
The Washington Wizards
The Detroit Pistons
The Brooklyn Nets
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Pistons are an obvious name for a team in Detroit. The team now has high hopes to make the playoffs with the arrival of Blake Griffin.

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What team is named for an insect?
The Celtics
The Hornets
The Kings
The Thunder
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Hornets were an expansion team not that long ago. They came into the league in 1988. Their best player currently is Kemba Walker.

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Who scored 100 points in a game?
Wilt Chamberlain
Aaron Baynes
Bill Laimbeer
Matt Bonner
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Wilt Chamberlain is one of the best players in NBA history. He is also known for claiming to have had sex with 20,000 women. What a busy guy!

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What was Darryl Dawkins' nickname?
Banana Rain
Chocolate Thunder
Marshmallow Hurricane
Peanut Butter Swirl
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Darryl Dawkins was one of the most colorful players in the history of the NBA. He was also known as "Dr. Dunkenstein."

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What is a "gym rat"?
Someone who spends a lot of time in the gym practicing basketball
A used car salesman
A lawyer
A coach
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The term really goes for anyone who spends a lot of time in the gym. However, its original use was centered around basketball.

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What basketball player who owns the career scoring record used to be named Lew Alcindor?
Larry Bird
Reggie Miller
Brad Wanamaker
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Alcindor changed his name because of his Muslim faith. He is still the all-time leading scorer.

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Who is the leading career scorer who is still active today?
Zach Randolph
Martin Gortat
LeBron James
Nick Batum
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Not only is LeBron James the highest active scorer, many think he will have the all-time record by the time he retires. He is still performing at a very high level.

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Which player was a rookie point guard the last time the Celtics won the NBA title?
Rajon Rondo
Ricky Rabbit
Ron Rock
Reggie Rawlston
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Rondo is the type of player fans either love or hate. He has an NBA championship, though, and no one can take that away from him. He currently plays with the Lakers.

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What city's NBA team plays at the "O-rena"?
Boston
Orlando
New York
Sacremento
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The O'rena might not be the most clever name for an arena, but at least it makes sense. The Magic have been struggling the last few years.

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Who scored the first 3-pointer in NBA history?
John Wall
Manute Bol
Mickey Mantle
Chris Ford
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

While never a star Chris Ford was always known as a good outside shooter. He is best known as a member of the Boston Celtics.

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What does it mean if you have good "hops"?
You're fast.
You can jump high.
You're lazy.
You like rabbits.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A player who has good hops can play above the rim. They would be good at blocking shots and dunking.

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Who was the shortest player ever in the NBA?
Rick Barry
Ben Simmons
Muggsy Bogues
Marcus Morris
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Bogues was only 5 feet, 3 inches tall. He played point guard for 14 years in the NBA.

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What team did the Oklahoma City Thunder used to be?
The Seattle Supersonics
The Charlotte Bears
The Pittsburgh Hornets
The Washington Redrums
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Seattle Supersonics moved to Oklahoma city in 2008. It was the third NBA team to relocate that decade.

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For what was Manute Bol known?
Being ridiculously handsome
Blocking shots
His shooting
His rebounding
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Manute Bol was 7 feet, 7 inches tall. He is the only NBA player who has more blocked shots than points scored.

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What was Charles Barkley's nickname?
The Round Mound of Rebound
Joey
The Viper
The Stallion
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Although Barkley is not very tall and doesn't have the best physique, he was an extremely good rebounder. He was one of the best players of his time.

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Which team is known as the Red Oxen in China?
The Memphis Grizzlies
The Chicago Bulls
The Brooklyn Nets
The Atlanta Hawks
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Chicago Bulls, when they were led by Michael Jordan, were the most famous NBA team in the world. They won six championships with him.

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Which of these is the most famous former Celtics player?
Terry Duerod
Ricky Davis
Abdel Nader
Larry Bird
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Larry Bird, also known as "The Hick from French Lick," was one of the best basketball players in the history of the NBA. He went to college at Indiana State University.

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Who is currently the longest-running head coach with the same team?
Greg Popovich
Luke Walton
Alex Cora
Brett Brown
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Grep Popovich is the coach of the San Antonio Spurs. He has been the team's coach since 1996 and has won five championships. He is thought of as one of the best coaches in the history of the NBA.

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For what team has LeBron James played the most seasons?
Cleveland Cavaliers
Toronto Raptors
Dallas Mavericks
Brooklyn Nets
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

LeBron James began his career with Cleveland before going to Miami. He eventually returned to Cleveland where he won a championship. He currently plays for the Los Angeles Lakers.

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What does an NBA Player have if he has "game'?
Good hair
Skills
A new PlayStation
Nice shoes
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

There are a lot of different ways to compliment a basketball player. Saying that he has "game" is probably the best one.

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What Celtic player was known as "The Chief"?
Kevin McHale
Danny Ainge
Greg Kite
Robert Parish
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Robert Parish was a true iron man in basketball. He played more than 21 seasons and scored more than 20,000 points in his career.

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What was Dr. J's real name?
Julius Erving
Bill Johnson
Jimmy Jones
Jerry Wallace
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Dr. J was one of the best basketball players ever. His high-flying dunks were legendary.

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For what team did Isiah Thomas play?
Miami Heat
Detroit Pistons
Los Angeles Lakers
Toronto Raptors
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Isiah Thomas was one of the Pistons' all-time greats. His backcourt mate was another great player, Joe Dumars.

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What center played for Georgetown and the New York Knicks?
Patrick Ewing
David Robinson
Bill Laimbeer
Rick Mahorn
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Patrick Ewing was one of the best players in NBA history. He never won a championship with the Knicks, however.

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Which of these players has won a MVP award?
Andrew Toney
Ryan Anderson
LeBron James
Al Horford
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Many consider LeBron James to be the best player of all time. You didn't say Ryan Anderson did you? We hope not.

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What is Carmelo Anthony's nickname?
Zen
Chill
Relaxed
Melo
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Carmelo Anthony is one of the best scorers in the history of the NBA. Unfortunately, his last few years with the Thunder and the Rockets haven't gone all that well.

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What player is the leader of the Oklahoma City Thunder?
Russel Westbrook
Abdel Nader
Raymond Felton
Steve Adams
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Russel Westbrook is not only one of the best players in the NBA, he is also the team's longtime leader. He often leads the Thunder in points, rebounds, and assists.

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Where were the Lakers before they moved to L.A.?
Pittsburgh
Minneapolis
Detroit
Vancouver
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Many people don't know that the Lakers used to be from another city. But when you think about it, does the name "Lakers" make sense for a California team?

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What is the nickname of a legendary Celtics coach?
Blue
Red
Green
Purple
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Red Auerbach is one of the most legendary coaches and general managers in the history of the NBA. He had a hand in most of the Celtics' championships.

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Which two players led the Utah Jazz for years?
Joe Dumars and Rick Mahorn
Danny Ainge and Curtis Rowe
Mark Eaton and Jeff Hornacek
John Stockton and Karl Malone
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

John Stockton and Karl Malone were one of the most prolific combinations in NBA history. Unfortunately, they never won a championship together.

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From what city did the Utah Jazz move?
New Orleans
Miami
Duluth
Fargo
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Utah Jazz is such an odd name, and now you know why. The team was originally in New Orleans, which is known for its jazz music.

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What was Hakeem Olajuwon's nickname?
The Cherry Sundae
The Nightmare
The Hangover
The Dream
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Hakeem "The Dream" was one of the best centers in the history of the NBA. He played for the Houston Rockets.

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What is the most points one can score on a shot in the NBA?
Four
One
Three
Two
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If a player is fouled when shooting a 3-point shot, he can make a foul shot for a total of four points.

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Which player didn't play for the Celtics?
Kevin McHale
Dennis Johnson
Bill Russell
Michael Jordan
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Michael Jordan never played for the Celtics, although the team would have loved to have had him!

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You Got:
/35
Noam Galai / noamgalai.com/Moment/GettyImages