Why are basketball players called by their first name but soccer players called by their last?

10 comments

1. So viewers can laugh at their funny first names.

2. Soccer is still a sport? Nice to know

3. This is not even remotely true and a weird thing to ask

4. In soccer there are 10 players on the field and 1 goal keeper. 22 guys in action between both teams.

   In basketball there are 5 players on the court per team, 10 total…less than 1/2 as many players so chances of the same first name is likewise reduced.

   Similar with American football, 22 players on the field and the last name of a player is what’s referenced

5. There are basketball players who are called by their last name (Bird, Durant, Westbrook, Jordan, Harden) and some who are known by their first name( LeBron, Kyrie, Kobe, Magic, Shaq), and some known by a nickname (CP3, Dr. J, Steph). It all depends on what flows best and what’s unique.

6. It’s not true for basketball. They are called by the one that is most uncommon. If I say something about Kevin, who am I talking about? If I say Durant everyone knows. James? Lebron ? Harden? Dunno

7. I think people called Lebron by his first name because there was no way he could be confused with anyone else

8. Black men have more interesting first names (LeBron, D’Shawn, Le’Naynay, LaDanian, etc. Lots of la- sha- da- names). Europeans have more interesting last names.

9. Huh?

10. Not 100% true