Can You Identify These Current NBA Stars If We Make Them Bald?

By: Gavin Thagard

7 Min Quiz

Image: Wiki Commons by Keith Allison

About This Quiz

When NBA players are on the court, it's all about the competition of the game, but as soon as the game ends, they are all about the glitz and glamour of being a global star. That's why they create their own styles and even brands to give the world a glimpse of their personalities. Part of those styles involves keeping a fresh haircut, as many players go to the barbershop weekly, and some players even fly barbers across the country just to make sure their hair is ready for the cameras each night. 

The importance of a fresh haircut puts a lot of pressure on NBA barbers, as they help define some of the most well-known faces across the league. For example, Vince Garcia, who cut the hair of Lakers players for years, was at the training facilities often before Kobe Bryant ever arrived, which is a tall task considering Bryant was known for getting to the gym hours before practice began. 

This quiz takes some of the pressure off those barbers by giving the biggest NBA stars a clean shave from front to back. No need for a barber — a razor and some shaving cream is all that's required. Do you think you'll still recognize them without their hair? Give this quiz a shot and find out!

This isn't the first time this NBA star's been bald, but here that's shiny dome again. Who is he?

The longevity of LeBron James' career is what separates him from other all-time greats, as he continues to dominate the NBA into his 30s. Had an injury not affected him in the 2018-19 season, James would have made the playoffs for his 14th straight season.

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Can you identify this NBA player who might start some Twitter beef if this picture gets out there?

After joining the Golden State Warriors when the franchise was at an all-time high, winning two championships beside two other superstars in the league, Kevin Durant left the Warriors following their loss in the 2019 NBA Finals. He teamed up with another superstar in New York to make the Nets a championship contender moving forward.

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Defenders would still be fearful if which NBA star shown here came barreling down the court with a bald head?

Russell Westbrook gave his all to the Oklahoma City Thunder, though it never resulted in much playoff success. However, his dedication to the team made him a legend in the city, as fans will always remember his great feats with the franchise.

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The player known as the "Greek Freak" just got a little freakier. What's his name?

Giannis Antetokounmpo is one of the most freakish athletes in the NBA, with the ability to power through defenders to get easy dunks. The one weakness in his game is his three-point shot, which allows defenses to load the paint and keep him away from the rim.

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Are you familiar with this NBA guard who is more known for his beard than his hair?

James Harden is an explosive offensive talent, utilizing both his skill and the rules of the game to score points. In the 2018-19 season, Harden led the league in scoring with 36.1 points per game.

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One of the most intense defenders in the league, who is this player with a shaved head?

There's little doubt that Chris Paul has a dedication to excellence, as he pushes both himself and his teammates to be great night in and night out. However, his willingness to criticize teammates often puts him at odds with others in the locker room, something that has followed him throughout his career.

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Do you know this star NBA player who might change his nickname from "The Brow" to "The Bald Brow" if he decides to rock this look permanently?

After starting his career in New Orleans, Anthony Davis requested a trade from the Pelicans in the middle of the 2018-19 season because of the lack of success he was having there. His request was granted at the end of the season when he was traded to Los Angeles for several players and draft picks.

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An elite shooter known for his youthful appearance, is this a star you recognize with his new look?

Stephen Curry won back to back league MVPs in 2015 and 2016, the same time that the Golden State Warriors started their run at three championships in five years. When he won his first MVP in 2015, Curry shot 44 percent from the three-point line.

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How well do you know this NBA star whose ball-handling skills separate him from other players in the league?

When LeBron James came back to Cleveland to start the 2014-15 season, Kyrie Irving was a big part of his decision, as Irving was on the rise to superstar status. However, James was clearly the leader of the team, which forced Irving to request a trade in the 2018 offseason.

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The defensive side of the ball for the Utah Jazz would still be on lock even if which player depicted in this image decide to shave his head?

Rudy Gobert is a two-time Defensive Player of the Year winner, earning the award in 2018 and 2019. During both seasons, Gobert recorded 2.3 blocks per game and added in over 10 rebounds per game.

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Will you still be able to identify this NBA star with his signature dreadlocks gone?

Kawhi Leonard is known for showing little to no emotion on the basketball court, earning him the reputation of being a cyborg. Luckily, his level head has resulted in winning, as he is a two-time champion and Finals MVP.

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The playful nature of this star just got a little more comical. Who is he?

Joel Embiid had his world ripped out from under him when he lost in the 2019 NBA Playoffs in a series against the Toronto Raptors that went seven games. Embiid was clearly distraught after the game, vowing to return even better the next season.

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Select the correct name of this player who was a first-overall draft pick, though he had plenty of hair at the time.

Despite his stellar talent, Karl-Anthony Towns has had little success when it comes to reaching the playoffs. Playing for the Minnesota Timberwolves, Towns has only made the playoffs once since he entered the league in 2015.

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Can you identify this NBA big man who does it all on the court, hair or no hair?

A free agent at the time, Al Horford decided to sign with the Philadelphia 76ers prior to the 2019-20 season. Playing beside Joel Embiid, Horford moved from center to power forward, a move that severely diminished his production.

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A player who's always up for big moments, who is this NBA star?

Damian Lillard showed his superstar potential as early as his rookie season, putting up 19 points and 6.5 assists per game. For his play, Lillard was named the NBA Rookie of the Year.

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What's the name of this player who has some of the best court vision in the league?

Nikola Jokic is one of the most well-rounded big men in the NBA. He has a full arsenal on offense with the ability to shoot from the outside, play bully ball down low and dish out dime passes to teammates from all over the court.

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This NBA star could still put up a double-double if he had no hair. Is he a player you're familiar with?

LaMarcus Aldridge joined the San Antonio Spurs in 2015, but it wasn't immediately a great fit even though he played for the legendary coach Gregg Popovich. However, after having a sit down with Popovich, Aldridge's role on the team was shifted, and he became much more effective.

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Do you recognize this point guard who couldn't be slowed down even if he had a bald head?

Kemba Walker isn't the biggest player in the NBA, but his explosiveness and dribbling make him elite on any given night. He proved his worth playing for the Charlotte Hornets, but when the team didn't offer him the money he wanted, he joined the Boston Celtics in 2019.

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Few players in the NBA play as hard as which star shown here with his head shaved down?

Jimmy Butler isn't afraid to let his voice be heard, often speaking out because of his desire to win on the court. After short stints with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Philadelphia 76ers, Butler ended up on the Miami Heat, a team that perfectly fits his hardworking personality.

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This young star is electric with the ball in his hands. How well do you know him?

After a stellar playoff run with the Boston Celtics in 2018, Jayson Tatum's numbers declined a bit the next year, partly because he was playing beside Kyrie Irving. When Irving left the team, Tatum stepped up to become one of the best players in the league in 2019-20.

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One of the best two-way stars in the league, will you still be able to identify this player with his hair removed?

A devastating leg injury nearly ended Paul George's career during practice for the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup. Keeping his nose to the grindstone, George made a full recovery and eventually surpassed his former self, even putting himself in the 2018-19 MVP race.

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Even without hair, this player would still snag an insane amount of rebounds. Who is he?

Even though Andre Drummond is still a young player in the NBA, he's already led the league in rebounds in three different seasons. He had his highest rebounding total in 2017-18 when he recorded 16 rebounds per game.

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Are you familiar with this veteran who had plenty of hair when he won a championship in 2019?

Kyle Lowry has been part of many firsts for the Toronto Raptors, including leading the team to its first NBA championship. Prior to that, Lowry was part of the 56-win season in 2015-16, the highest win total ever for the Raptors.

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Pick the correct name of this offensive juggernaut who can put up 20 points on any given night.

Carmelo Anthony is used to playing an outdated style of basketball where he goes one on one with defenders. He has often been criticized for this style of play because it slows down the game, but he has managed to reinvent himself since joining the Portland Trail Blazers.

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Shooting the three-point shot is the specialty of which player depicted in this image with his new hairdo?

Klay Thompson is one-half of the lethal three-point shooting duo in Golden State known as the "Splash Brothers," the other being Stephen Curry. Together, they set the single-season record for combined three-point shots made.

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One of the most exciting young stars to watch in the NBA, what's the name of this player?

Entering the NBA in 2018, it took Trae Young about half a season to adjust to professional play, but once he did, he was clearly a future star. Young has everything a team wants in a point guard, from insane passing skills to a deadly three-point shot.

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Can you identify this player who brings his best game each night for the Washington Wizards?

Bradley Beal has played the last few seasons on a poor Washington Wizards team that has struggled to post a winning record. However, Beal has stayed dedicated to the team, signing an extension with the Wizards at the start of the 2019-20 season.

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A gifted athlete with or without hair, who is this NBA star?

In his early years, Blake Griffin had hops that rivaled anyone in NBA history, often posterizing defenders with incredible dunks. Playing beside DeAndre Jordan and Chris Paul, he helped turn the Los Angeles Clippers into a playoff contender.

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What's the name of this player who's almost unstoppable despite not having an outside shot?

Ben Simmons had to sit out his first season in the NBA due to an injury, making the 2017-18 season his official rookie year. During his rookie season, Simmons posted 15.8 points, 8.1 rebounds and 8.2 assists per game to take home the NBA Rookie of the Year award.

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Is this player, who's already a star in only his second NBA season, still familiar with his head shaved bald?

Luka Doncic was already playing professional basketball in Europe before he joined the NBA in 2018. Understanding professional playing styles and concepts helped him make the transition to the NBA easily, as he consistently racked up triple-doubles in his first season.

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How well do you know this star who was a major reason the Golden State Warriors won three titles?

Draymond Green has been referred to as the "Swiss Army Knife" of the NBA because he can do it all on the court. Green plays tough defense, pushes the ball up the court and sets up teammates in scoring positions.

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Do you still recognize this gifted NBA veteran when he doesn't have any hair left?

Marc Gasol started his NBA career playing for the Memphis Grizzlies in 2008, earning a spot on the NBA All-Rookie Second Team. He improved season by season, especially on defense where he was named the NBA Defensive Player of the Year in 2013.

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This elite offensive talent had a full head of hair until now. Who is he?

Devin Booker has yet to make the NBA Playoffs since joining the league in 2015, but that's not a reflection of his individual skills. After all, Booker has scored over 20 points per game every season except when he was a rookie.

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Select the name of this bald NBA star who made his first All-Star Game in 2019.

D'Angelo Russell was the second pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, selected by the Los Angeles Lakers. Russell had a strong outing his rookie season, scoring 13.2 points per game in just over 28 minutes of action.

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The New Orleans Pelicans found their future wing when which player shown here joined the team?

Brandon Ingram was supposed to be part of the rebuilding process for the Los Angeles Lakers after the departure of Kobe Bryant. However, when LeBron James joined the team, Ingram was traded to New Orleans, along with several other players, for Anthony Davis.

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Are you familiar with this NBA rookie who lit the league on fire when the 2019-20 season started, though he had hair at the time?

Ja Morant's rookie season has been nothing less than spectacular. Selected as the second-overall pick by the Memphis Grizzlies, Morant has helped position the Grizzlies into a playoff spot a year after the team missed the playoffs before he got there.

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What's the name of this star who would still be fun to watch even if he kept his head shaved?

Donovan Mitchell's official position is shooting guard, but he often plays more like a point guard as he regularly has the ball in his hands. He makes the most of his opportunities, as well, averaging 24.2 points and 4.2 assists per game in the 2019-20 season.

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After having a coming-out party in the 2019 NBA Playoffs, this player started the 2019-20 season strong. Do you know him?

Pascal Siakam was part of the Toronto Raptors' first-ever championship run, which occurred in the 2019 NBA Playoffs. He played some of his best basketball in the NBA Finals, averaging 19.8 points per game and adding in 7.3 rebounds per game.

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Can you identify this young star who dyed his hair blonde before it was shaved down to nothing?

Kyle Kuzma benefits from playing beside LeBron James for the Los Angeles Lakers, as Kuzma can score points without needing the ball in his heads. He particularly excels on backdoor cuts, where he slips behind defenders and gets to the basket.

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One of the most explosive offensive players when he entered the league, who is this?

Derrick Rose was named the league MVP in only his third NBA season while playing for the Chicago Bulls. Rose led the Bulls to the Eastern Conference Finals that year, though they were defeated by the Miami Heat.

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