The NBA's tattoo culture has created a new type of influencer - CNN Style He is hot-headed on the court, but very much chilled off it. It is extremely unusual in the NBA for a player to have no ink on his skin.Other prominent players are Klay Thompson (GSW), Joel Embiid (Sixers), Kyle Lowry (Raptors), and Nikola Jokic (Raptors). We're also fascinated by whatever is going on right next to it with the power, heart and volume symbols. Lowry has always been considered undersized and counted out. "I don't want nothing bad or ugly on my body," he said. Furthermore, they. How do I know if my valve spring is broken? Among the multiple tattoos that cover all his body, we can highlight various tribal tattoos on his neck, abdomen, upper chest, upper back, and shoulders, several stars, piercings, and a cross around his belly button, his last name on his neck, the word Infinity on his neck and right hand, a devil woman with a pitchfork on his right arm, or an oversized sun with a shark on his left arm. adventures. Tattoos have been away for individuals to express themselves through art on their skin. Hand tattoos almost never work well, and Beasley's designs are particularly busy and bad. The same can be said about his tattoos, which reference his family, origins, and roots. Jimmy is the proud owner of a chiseled physique, stylish low-cut fade haircut, and a pop icons fashion sense. There are other significant religious symbols on Kevins body: a biblical inscription from Proverbs 15:33, across, and another biblical reference from Corinthians 5:7 (right side of his abdomen). What is the pre employment test for Canada Post? Andreis back is fully covered with a tattoo representing a warrior riding on a dragons back. Getting inked up is common in the NBA. He told ESPN's Brian Windhorst that he had a "clean slate" and wanted to start new. On the court, however, the Cameroonian big man is a force in the paint. Shout out to Kyrie for being a true '90s kid. Hes done both without getting images on his body. So as soon as I afford to get to wear real diamonds, I went and got my ears pierced. Tattoos are pretty popular in the NBA. By, This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google. While his three-point shooting percentage is considerably low, he makes up for it with his defense and ball-handling skills. 'Get My A- Beat': Miami Heat Star Jimmy Butler Reveals Why He Has No Below are some of the most famous tattoo artists with a huge following and clientele consisting of celebrities and NBA players: Steve Wiebe: most famous clients- Kevin Durant, DeAndre Jordan, Damian Lillard Keith "Bang Bang" McCurdy: most famous clients- LeBron James, Odell Beckham Jr Some players get tattoos to remember their time spent with various organizations, but it seems Butler did not take this route. Its a personal decision, after all. No tattoos.. Copyright 2023 YB Media, LLC. Hence, it is more about a matter of choice and motivation for the NBA vet. Damian Lillard Biography Facts, Childhood And Personal Life, Gordon Hayward Biography Facts, Childhood, Net Worth, Life, Kobe Bryant Biography Facts, Childhood, Life, Death, Klay Thompson Biography Facts, Childhood And Personal life, Kyrie Irving Biography Facts, Childhood, Net Worth, Life, Ben Simmons Biography Facts, Childhood And Personal Life, Paul Millsap Biography Facts, Childhood, Net Worth, Life, CJ McCollum Biography Facts, Childhood, Net Worth, Life, Draymond Green Biography Facts, Childhood And Personal Life, 25 Biggest Sumo Wrestlers. As an homage to her, Bryant had tattooed on his right arm a crown with butterfly wings, his wifes name, a pair of angel wings, and the words Psalm XXVII. Embiid is a jovial character, and his smile is contagious. graduate leads an active lifestyle, veering to the mountains for off-trail That includes many athletes across the globe, including players in the NBA. He was planning to have Capris name tattooed as well on February 5th. He has a Muhammad Ali, a Bob Marley, a weird, creepy mouth, and just a ton of other stuff. Tags: Ben Simmons, Chris Paul, Giannis Antetokounmpo, James Harden, Jimmy Butler,. As for Towns, he has nothing of the sort. Look at it. That humbleness is reflected in his lack of ink. All rights reserved. Here's What NBA Players Looked Like Before They Were Covered In Tattoos GALVAN: Christopher started working on his personal brand in high school, when he wasn't allowed to profit off his image as an athlete. CHRISTOPHER: For me and my deal and for the brand was for me to be myself but, at the same time, throw some Js on it with it too. 4. Jimmy Butler. We hope this list and gallery of the most Tattooed NBA Players was entertaining and maybe even inspirational! It may be hard to notice with his rag-tag style of play, but he does have ink by his left temple and underneath his chin. . The 5-time NBA All-star has everything but tattoos on his body. The "Sacrifice" on the stomach may be gilding the lily, but the lettering is impeccable on that tattoo. Stars like James, Lillard, McGrady, Kobe, and the like, their tattoo designs can be described as very classic, well-known to fans. Random. Last edited by JtotheIzzo; 12-26-2008 at 03:23 AM . From the Dennis Rodmans and Chris Andersens of yesteryear through today, the NBA has always been filled with colorful athletes who cover their bodies in eye-catching tattoos. That was all him, and that's still here. So, the question is: why would someone who makes over $20 million per year not want any ink on their body? With so much popularity, one might think a few tattoos would be in order. Nevertheless, it is also his body ink that gets the attention of NBA fans. GALVAN: That's Josh Christopher, a 21-year-old player for the Houston Rockets. . Tattoos are one way of expression. However, Ellis entered the league without any visible tattoos and it was only after his injury where he sat in the tattoo chair. While the images are extremely common in the NBA, there are a few greats who dont have any. He played for a range of teams and never won a championship. A trend initiated by Dennis Rodman and Allen Iverson, tattoos allow NBA players to express themselves in and outside the playing court. 4. "I just want something nice, so I wear sleeves.". Instead, he let his play do the talking on route to six consecutive All-Star appearances. LeBron James Steve Mitchell-USA. But before the inked-up Melo we know today, he showed no ink during his high school days at Oak Hill. Some of the artwork is cool. Eddie Bonar is a sports fanatic and the kind of guy who will stay up late to watch his favorite team play. James Harden comes in at No. So, while he didnt get it until a few years later, James famous Witness tattoo on his leg would have had to be whited-out. Simmons has a proclivity for the flashy. The 7-foot Serbian also has a fairly clean stroke from the perimeter, which often draws opposing bigs out of position. 0. "Carpe Diem" is a pretty well-worn phrase. Why do NBA Players have So Many Tattoos? - Basketball Word! 7 of the WORST Tattoos in the NBA Pt.2 - YouTube Eventually, it wont long before Iverson got himself inked up including a tattoo that said Only the Strong Survive which referenced his rough upbringing. Though some have questioned his defensive effort in the past, The Beard seems to be showing some improvement on that end of the floor. There are more tattoos equally significant for Allen: the word JEWELZ (his rap artist moniker), the words Fame and The Realist on his back, the words East End (left leg), See You When I Get There (left arm), or the terms Finest and Bad Newz (right forearm). When it comes to scoring, though, there are few better than James Harden. Grant Hill Michael Finley uh uh uh Damn! That's a big negative on the tattoo front. Since his life has been a continuous fight, as he often admitted, and he felt like a fearless soldier, Allen has a soldier skull, and the word Soldier inked on his right arm, the words Hold My Own on his right shoulder, a screaming skull and the words Fear No One on his left forearm, a Cross of Dagger and the words Only The Strong Survive on the left shoulder, and a Black Panther on his right forearm as a sign of power, fearlessness, and strength. What is Jordan Clarksons Height, Weight, and Wingspan? How do I check my child support status in Texas? From his daughters portrait on his chest to an impressive Unstoppable Juggernaut (as a reference to his nickname) on his back or a cartoon collage on his left leg, it is clear that Wilson not only used his skin to pay tribute to his beloved ones, but he is also a huge fan of comics and cartoons. They didn't want to talk about them having a bad game or shooting 2 for 10. Jordan has a small tattoo above his left breast. While he has had plenty of reasons, including both an MVP and NBA championship, hes still clean. By HoopsHype staff | DeRozan, who was just traded from the Raptors to the Spurs, has a tattoo of two street signs. While it feels like this would be a tattoo that a My Little Pony gone rogue would get, it's a sharp design. There is a reason why there are so many tattoos in the NBA: it looks cool. AI, IMO, made neck tattoos OK for NBA players tattoos. A Splash Brothers tattoo may seem appropriate in Thompsons case. The 24-year-old Aussie doesnt have any ink yet (that we know of), but might he change his mind as the years of his career go on? To express themselves and look cool. Some players, like Jason Richardson, called the code racist. Hip-hop artists have been known to wear their favorite rappers' names on their bodies, which has helped fuel the rise of basketball players getting tatted up. An NBA legend, Kobe Bryant was known for his successful basketball career that spanned over 20 years and for etching his personal life and faith on his skin. This was before the NIL policy. Lance Fresh. What percentage of NBA players would you say don't have tattoos? JR Smith's Supreme tattoo could run afoul of NBA rules - Sports Illustrated Going with the nickname 'Birdman,' Chris Claus Anderson pops at the top of the list when it comes to the most tattooed players of the NBA. Just slathered in them. Look at those insane hand tattoos. This is a tricky issue to answer since, while tattoos have been there for a long time, celebrities and sportsmen didn't start wearing them until the 1970s. Copyright 2020 - 2023 Sportsmanist Inc. Why are there so many tattoos in the NBA? Robert Lewandowski. He grew up rocking Vans, Kobes on concrete, cutoff sweats, white tees and baby shorts - Cali vibes through and through. Giannis ranks in the top-1o for scoring and rebounding, while he is third in the league in free throws attempted. The reporters do not find him beating around the bush and this makes the Miami Heat forward likable for many. NBA Players Without Tattoos Below, you can check out a gallery containing some of the coolest tattoo designs on the bodies of current NBA athletes, from role players to superstars. He was still a young but talented player who was trying to make a name for himself. Muscala's Mario. He hasn't said he's opposed to the idea, but it's likely that he won't be getting any at least until he finds a way to get a championship. We all know Melo as one of the best scorers in the game. His NBA career began in Chicago, where he played six seasons with the Bulls. Swift was a first-round pick by the Seattle Supersonics in 2004. He's not a kid from "Dead Poet's Society." NBA Twitter reacts to Mac McClung winning dunk contest: 'How Rob Pelinka let him go is beyond me'. 'NBA 2K' creators win ruling in case brought by tattoo artists - Sports . However, despite his recent MVP achievements, he still has no tattoos. It is not an ordinary tattoo representing Andreis level 80 paladin from the famous WoW game. But before becoming the NBA star he is now, Lillard looked different during his high school days at Oakland. Like Ball, Clarkson was also drafted by the Lakers. If there is a player that started the trend, it was Dennis Rodman. This is a busy tattoo, but it still looks sharp and clear. The Game Everyone Wants To Watch: All-Time Lakers vs. Some people speculated he would get a few to celebrate his entrance into the league, but it seems the high-flying superstar is content with not having any right now. Karl-Anthony Towns is another notable player without tattoos. To showcase their wealth because tattoos are expensive. Unfortunately, one can argue that isnt true because of Robert Swift. Escobedo had originally . FRESH: Now you see it - not just clothes, just, like, style, swag, just braids, tattoos, Vans. This was his first arm tattoo, but like many others whove had a taste of tattooing, it wouldnt be his last. This picture captures Andersens evolution as far as tattoos are concerned from when he joined the NBA. Nowadays, over 70% of the NBA players are all inked up. i was shock to see these nba players! Your email address will not be published. We have carefully selected 25 of the very weirdest, interesting and flat out awesome tattoos of NBA players. Tattoos are typically used for symbolism. Bonus points for choosing a flying Mario, which feels fitting for a basketball player. However, despite his recent MVP achievements, he still has no tattoos. Chris Paul is one of the longest-tenured players in the NBA and one of the greatest players of all time. Obviously, the sign is where struggle meets dedication. 1. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference right now. He is one of a few footballers without tattoos. Hailing from Brooklyn, N.Y., he grew up rocking dunks and. Leah Goldman and Scott Davis. In 2005, the NBA instituted a dress code. Coming into the league, Swift had no visible tattoos that carried high expectations. Coming out on top, Chris 'Birdman' Anderson. The Joker, as Jokic is known, has established himself as one of the NBAs best big men. But after being traded to the Pelicans, Ball shocked fans on social media for going full blast in terms of body ink. Why Do NBA Players Have So Many Tattoos? (4 Reasons) In addition, there is a recurrent CRU THIK (his record company) tattoo that Allen had etched 4 times: on his right, left arm, right arm, and the initials CT on his neck. That's what matters most. This is the ink equivalent of movies like "Hurricane Heist." Are there any NBA players without tattoos? New and Popular Countries of the World Quiz . Hes now a proud member of the tattooed NBA players group. James Harden is a true NBA journeyman. He owns a master's degree in special education and teaches English. Your email address will not be published. GALVAN: Players didn't always have that swag, that freedom to express themselves through their fits. The stories behind the NBA's wildest tattoos It wasn't always this way. Answer (1 of 3): Steve Nash, Dirk Nowistzki, Pau Gasol, Jeremy Lin, Dwyane Wade, Ramon Sessions, Andrea Bargnani, Vince Carter, Dwight Howard, Chris Paul, Kevin Martin, Linas Kleiza, Yao Ming, Manu Ginobli, Marc Gasol, just to name a few [1]. In conclusion, the NBA is a popular sports league with a large audience. The NBA's tattoo culture has created a new type of influencer | CNN Fresh sees Westbrook as a trailblazer. She said, Honey, would you put a bumper sticker on a Bentley?. GALVAN: Iverson's looks were edgier, baggier and more akin to hip-hop culture, and Iverson wasn't having it. What's definitely impressive is the artwork, especially on the letter. That's a cool idea. (Story aired on ATC on March 23, 2023.). Likewise, the portrait of Rick James, the famous singer, reigns on his left thigh. Allen went one step further and named his son Rahsaan. Are there any NBA players without tattoos? Unsurprisingly, one of them is Mario Chalmers, but he's not currently playing in the NBA. Birdman flanked his eye-catching mohawk hairstyle with two skulls (back of his head), and the words GIVE ME WAR and FOREVER NIGHTMARE on the back of his neck. BONUS: Surprise tatted/non tatted players? Some players will ink up their bodies to the fullest, like Michael Beasley, and others that want to keep the slate clean. Nowadays they represent their roots and influence culture off the court. Many of todays great athletes are known for their distinct works of body art. What athletes have no tattoos? - Davidgessner They wear long pants and long sleeves most of the time too. NBA Players' tattoos: Which NBA player has the best ink? Sourabh Singh is an NBA sports analyst for EssentiallySports, who has been Posted November 14, 2018 It's pure nightmare fuel. NBA players had to win a little sartorial freedom. Their latest collection draws inspiration from Black history and features modern-day Black equestrians the Compton Cowboys. 2 draft pick taken one slot ahead of Michael Jordan in 1984 . Finally, on his chest, close to his heart, there is a set of praying hands in between his mother and grandmothers initials. View Profile View Forum Posts NBA Superstar Join Date Jul 2006 Posts 14,559. However, only a few basketball players do. Andrei Kirilenko. Try and take a close look at it sometime. 2 on this list of NBA players who are without tattoos. The majority of them are legally represented, at any rate. An outstanding NBA scorer, Allen Iverson stands out for his impressive basketball skills and meaningful body inks. Hes played for several teams in his career. Muscala's Mario tattoo looks great, and he's a delightful and beloved pop culture icon that is instantly recognizable. Rather, hes a hard working superstar who just goes out and does his job. Since then, Clarkson started to get some tattoos. The number 0 is also seen underneath it. Jeremy Lamb: "Dagger" Getty Images Jeremy Lamb, shooting. Which starting NBA players are tattoo free? - Quora NBA players are well-known for their athleticism, outgoing personality, fashion sense, and tattoos. Its an omega horseshoe, and it was drawn on as a way of pledging his commitment to the Black fraternity Omega Psi Phi, which he was a part of while he attended the University of North Carolina. The authoritative record of NPRs programming is the audio record. Next, we have Michael Jordan who got his name inked on his left ankle during the 1997-98 season. Required fields are marked *. His lack of tattoos is perhaps an example of that mentality. Football and hockey players wear helmets, as do baseball players when they bat and caps when they are in the field. It is extremely unusual in the NBA for a player to have no ink on his skin. Maybe a big wave with the Golden Gate Bridge in the background? Paul continues to put up solid numbers, even into his mid-30s. NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an NPR contractor. Kemba was the face of the Charlotte Hornets franchise for eight years. Beyond his rebounding and shooting prowess, Jokic is also an excellent facilitator and arguably the best passing center in the game today. On top of this ink, the new Laker has "Super Cool Beas" tattooed across his back. However, there are also those who choose to leave their bodies free of ink. Full Spectrum Services LLP 2022 | All Rights Reserved. There's so much bombast and craziness that you get overwhelmed and don't really enjoy your experience. Some of the best, and worst, NBA tattoos | Yardbarker Embiid and Simmons form quite the dynamic duo in Philadelphia. Hailing from Brooklyn, N.Y., he grew up rocking dunks and loving basketball. Other brands, like Russell Westbrook's Honor The Gift, are fueled by aspiration and invested in their communities. Basketball players, on the other hand, wear shorts and tank tops. Antetokounmpo is in position to repeat as the NBA's Most Valuable Player, which is quite the accomplishment. 2023 Dunk or Three. DeShawn Stevenson. With so many people watching games every day, it only makes sense that everyone from athletes to fans would want to be seen wearing their team colors and supporting their favorite players. All in all, Durant has a total of 15 known tattoos on his body. When did NBA players start getting tattoos? This massive 'Free Bird' tattoo is . From that moment on, tattoos became a lifestyle. His symbol comes from his face instead of his skin. Heitner also said that, without some sort of waiver, it is legally presumed the tattoo artist owns the work despite its existence on an athletes body. Keith "Bang Bang" McCurdy: most famous clients- LeBron James, Odell Beckham Jr. NBA players without tattoos? : r/nba - Reddit These include Jason Kidd, Jerry West, Ralph Sampson, and Mychal Thompson. Whether or not he gets a tattoo is his personal choice, but we as fans would definitely like to see him getting an NBA ring. Although he has yet to win a championship, Melo has become a decorated player in the NBA. The right side of his chest displays the words Tiaura and Deuce, the names of his son and daughter. The NBA gets billions of dollars from advertising partners, who they don't want to offend when those who do not pay get free ad space. The only problem? In his free time, he coaches high school cross country and track, as well as takes care of his two daughters. Exactly the type of athlete who would abstain from ink. Not trying to judge, but there was at one point where Butler had to thought about getting a tattoo just based on the crowd he was hanging around. Thompson has been out of the league the last two seasons due to injuries but when he is healthy, he is one of the best two-way players in the game. But in August of 2019, the NBA published an article and included this little-known fact about him. However, thats not true for everyone. Don't ask me why but I always pictured him having tats. When are fastpitch softball tryouts in Tucson, AZ? Ben Simmons. NBA players weren't always free to express themselves through their outfits. Its true that he could not do the same with the Sixers and also that he had a tough time gelling up with the Timberwolves. Kenyon Martins body is covered with over 20 tattoos, including roses, stars, his baby sons face and the text Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood on his right arm, a big cross, and the text I Shall Fear No Man, But God covering his back, Chinese symbols, or the text Bad Ass Yellow Boy on his chest. Bryant got the names of his first three daughters tattooed on his forearm: Natalia Diamante, Bianka Bella, and Gianna Maria Onore. Harden never got into tattoos, rather the beard. Lots of players have them, and several of them . As an homage to his grandmother, Barbara, Kevin had a dove and her name etched on his chest. It looks kind of like a hockey mask, but no matter how much time we spend staring at it, we can't figure it out. We get to see a lot of their bodies, and some players use them as canvases. Players were required to dress in business or conservative attire before and after games. Not to be superstitious but a tattoo would definitely mess up the team mojo if he got one now, right? ! One Arena. Known as The Birdman, Andersen is known for his rim protection, mohawk, and tattoos. The dragons wings cover his shoulders. When it comes to scoring, though, there are few better than James Harden. Joel Embiid. First discovered in ancient Egypt, it became popular again when Elvis Presley got his first tattoo in 1959. Still a scrawny kid back then, Melo showed glimpses of his scoring prowess that even made headlines when he rivaled LeBron James in the high school basketball scene. The tree is decorated with the star of David, a babys face, and an angel. Ben Simmons It might seem surprising to some people, but Ben Simmons is another well-known player without any tattoos. Since we owe most of this phenomenon to Dennis Rodman and Allen Iverson, it is only fair to start our list with them. At 18-9, the 76ers lead the Eastern Conference. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Christopher is a Jordan brand athlete. Chris Morgan is a sports and pop culture writer and the author of the booksThe Comic Galaxy of Mystery Science Theater 3000andThe Ash Heap of History. Many players like Curry, Paul and Duncan actually have tattoos on their bodies, but the patterns are small or hidden in inconspicuous places. Next time you see Chris Paul standing out on the State Farm commercials, you can stop searching for a tattoo. From arm sleeves to cartoon characters, insane masks, Chinese symbols, motivational phrases, tribal ink, nicknames, portraits, or tattoos that tell a personal story, NBA players seem to use their bodies as a canvas for colorful and eye-catching self-expression. Some choose a name, symbol or portrait, while others go for entire works of art. Sometime after joining the Bulls in 2017, he stopped wearing sleeves. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Zion is arguably the most-hyped player coming into the NBA since LeBron James. He can score in multiple ways and shines the brightest during Dame Time. Unfortunately, he failed to perform well as a first-rounder in the NBA as injuries, hairdos, and tattoos were much more talked about than his game. LeBron James, Damian Lillard and Anthony Davis are notable for their tattoos. Menu . 3. Irving has the "Friends" logo tattooed on his arm. However, like the rest of our entries on this list, Klay doesnt have any tattoos. However, it looks like Paul never succumbed to peer pressure. On the flip side of Simmons, it should come as no surprise that Jimmy Butler has no tattoos. It also doesn't hurt that most NBA teams have their own logo which makes getting a personalized piece of art even more desirable. Some athletes might choose to have inkwork done to commemorate such a stint, but he did not, which is totally fine. Butler is living proof that stereotypes and assumptions are wrong because the man in Miami had defied all odds to get to where he is. Below, you can check out a gallery containing some of the coolest tattoo designs on the bodies of current NBA athletes, from role players to superstars.

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