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Michael Jordan was “Air” because he could fly. Earvin Johnson was “Magic” because he could do amazing things with a ball. Brandon Heath is “Bottoms” because he can shoot the lights out.

But also because he’s been there so many times.

He got the name from his god-brother, Jason McKinney, one day at his house, sitting on the couch. McKinney looks over at Heath and says, “I’m gonna give you a nickname – Bottoms.”

The name stuck.

“I’ve always been able to shoot the ball a little bit, and I took it and ran with it,” Bottoms said.

But Bottoms’ ability to put the ball in the hoop is only part of the name.

Now, this isn’t some story about some kid from some hood who escapes bullets to make it to the big time. Yes, Bottoms has seen the gangs and the deaths and the jail sentences. Yes, he was about a block away from Florence and Normandie when the L.A. Riots broke out, playing – what else? –