In addition, he got inked a growling bulldog on his left arm and the words The Answer (his nickname). The reporters do not find him beating around the bush and this makes the Miami Heat forward likable for many. Even though Lowry could have put a tattoo of "never back down" or something related to grinding out results, he didn't. A few NBA players have Super Mario tattoos. He is the NBA style guru. Tattoos or not, Embiid is still proving to be a monster on the low block. Just slathered in them. Butler (22) warms up before the game against the Washington Wizards at Capital Are there any 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. Top 10 NBA Players Without Tattoos Ben Simmons. "The Greek Freek" would be one of the coolest displays of word art on an individual but it all comes down to personal choices. However, the medieval vibe to it is nice and, in the end, there is a sword plunged into a skull. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports. Here we have a gallery of the most tattooed NBA players and stories behind the great variety of their tattoos. In addition, it may not be well-known. Copyright 2023 YB Media, LLC. Menu . Both of these designs are really cool-looking. Duncan had a yin yank gear-like tattoo on his right shoulder. 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. Apart from the notoriety he earned for his basketball. The reason that may shock some people is that hes a stylized player who loves being in the spotlight. It is very rare in the NBA that a player carries no ink on his skin. Tattoos have been away for individuals to express themselves through art on their skin. Sep 30, 2018. Always free! This includes a "black Jesus" tattoo on his chest. It also doesn't hurt that most NBA teams have their own logo which makes getting a personalized piece of art even more desirable. Shout out to Kyrie for being a true '90s kid. I'm probably not going to add every single player without a tattoo, because probably a third of the NBA players don't have any tattoos. However, despite his recent MVP achievements, he still has no tattoos. Since Kevin Durant identified himself with Tupac Shakurs mindset, attitude, and beliefs, there is no wonder that he decided to have the artists portrait etched on his left leg. However, thats not true for everyone. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage). | 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. Some other notable names are Klay Thompson (GSW), Joel Embiid (Sixers), Kyle Lowry (Raptors), and Nikola Jokic (Nuggets). Butler's life story features moments where he was practically homeless at some point. Christopher is a Jordan brand athlete. On the court, Jimmy has always been a consistent performer and someone who joins mediocre teams to help them stretch for greatness. Jeremy Lamb: "Dagger" Getty Images Jeremy Lamb, shooting. Also known as Birdman, Chris Andersen sports an impressive brightly colored collection of tattoos, covering 75% of his body. 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. He has produced at a high enough level to be taken in two All-Star games but Duncan had tattoos. GALVAN: Iverson's looks were edgier, baggier and more akin to hip-hop culture, and Iverson wasn't having it. Not to be superstitious but a tattoo would definitely mess up the team mojo if he got one now, right? His wife, Vanessa, found it in her heart to forgive him and offered him unconditional support throughout the scandal. Please Tell Me if I'm Incorrect on any of them. 1. Surprise non-tat: D-Wade. Below, you can find a list of the most tattooed NBA players of all time. 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 majority of them are legally represented, at any rate. 2023 Dunk or Three. We get to see a lot of their bodies, and some players use them as canvases. When the relationship between the basketball star and the hip-hop artist came to an end, he decided to turn his ex-girlfriends lips into a strange to say the least red and black crown. ), his daughter and grandmothers names, or the words THRILL and Against All Odds. Simmons has a proclivity for the flashy. Basketball players just love tattoos. Jimmy Butler's "no tattoos" stance The five-time NBA All-physique Star's is devoid of tattoos. 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. On the court, however, the Cameroonian big man is a force in the paint. Butler began wearing sleeves during his first season with Minnesota in 2014-15, when he played for former Chicago Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau. It's so disturbing. When are fastpitch softball tryouts in Tucson, AZ? Unfortunately, on January 26th, Kobe lost his life together with his daughter Gianna in a tragic helicopter accident before adding Capris name to the list. It's pure nightmare fuel. Your email address will not be published. In his free time, he either goes fishing or watches basketball. Hes leading the NBA in scoring yet again, and he has become one of the greatest offensive players of all time. Irving has the "Friends" logo tattooed on his arm. Furthermore, they may also symbolize a meaningful moment in a players life. His killer cross-ups and skillfully aimed passes are often borrowed by other players. Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Required fields are marked *. Please check your email for a confirmation. 4. That's a cool idea. Basketball players, on the other hand, wear shorts and tank tops. Kyle Daubs has 15 years' worth of writing experience for numerous sports sites. His symbol comes from his face instead of his skin. Yeah, the tattoos. Are there any NBA players without tattoos? Re: Name 10 current black players without tattoos? But as early as then, Andersen was already dominating in terms of blocked shots with 4.7 a game. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. During that time, he was still a prospect with a lot to prove. We all know Melo as one of the best scorers in the game. I was told if I get tattoos, I will get my a** beat, truthfully. For this piece, lets take a look at what famous tattooed NBA players looked like when they had none. Tattoos are typically used for symbolism. He can score in multiple ways and shines the brightest during Dame Time. 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. Weve collected some of the best, and worst, examples of player ink that the NBA has to offer. Michael McCann. Chandler has a lot of tattoos, but most of them aren't this drab. tattoos. However, unfortunately the tattoo we want to shout out is the one that is covered by an arm sleeve while he plays. Tattoos are pretty popular in the NBA. Tattoos have become a significant fad in the NBA, with more and more pro-ballers being inked up. CP3 has been an inspiration to young point guards around the globe. This was before the NIL policy. Others will use words designed in art. In fact, during the 2021-2022 season, 55% of the players in the league sported a visible tattoo. Players were required to dress in business or conservative attire before and after games. More than likely! Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports, Jimmy G. Buckets and his girlfriend Kaitlin Nowak became parents to a cute Rylee in 2019. The 7-foot Serbian also has a fairly clean stroke from the perimeter, which often draws opposing bigs out of position. Simmons comes in at No. 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. The only problem? Jimmy Butler is a player who has been around the proverbial block. Finally, on his chest, close to his heart, there is a set of praying hands in between his mother and grandmothers initials. Escobedo had originally . Thanks for signing up. There is a reason why there are so many tattoos in the NBA: it looks cool. "I don't want nothing bad or ugly on my body," he said. Hand tattoos almost never work well, and Beasley's designs are particularly busy and bad. Hes now a proud member of the tattooed NBA players group. That said, it can be argued that all-star center Moses Malone had one earlier in the decade when he played with the Portland Trail Blazers. Copyright 2023 NPR. If there is a player that started the trend, it was Dennis Rodman. If taking it all home wasnt enough, its unlikely anything ever will be. Embiid and Simmons form quite the dynamic duo in Philadelphia. . Look at those insane hand tattoos. With NBA playoffs underway, players are showing off their talents and their style. 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. Getting inked up is common in the NBA. 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. Despite winning everything in his career, Robert Lewandowski chooses to be humble and refuses to wear any tattoo on his body. In 2005, the NBA instituted a dress code. Sometime after joining the Bulls in 2017, he stopped wearing sleeves. 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. Fans would remember Ellis as a lethal scorer that covered his body up with tattoos. (Hi, Chris Andersen, wherever you are.). Getting inked up is common in the NBA. Dennis Rodman has always loved the spotlight! FRESH: Now you see it - not just clothes, just, like, style, swag, just braids, tattoos, Vans. 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. The first known NBA player to get a tattoo was Larry Nance of the Denver Nuggets on December 2, 1977. And there is one more tattoo worth mentioning: the words SCREW YOU etched in capital letters on the fingers of both hands. So far, his first healthy season in the league is seeing 24.4 points, 6.8 rebounds, with a 60.7% shooting percentage. Get viral NBA graphics, memes, rumors and trending news delivered right to your inbox with the Clutch Newsletter. Paul is the franchise leader in assists and steals for both the New Orleans Pelicans and Los Angeles Clippers. When it comes to scoring, though, there are few better than James Harden. On top of that, hes never won it all. 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. Eventually, it wont long before Iverson got himself inked up including a tattoo that said Only the Strong Survive which referenced his rough upbringing. Try and take a close look at it sometime. GALVAN: The intersection of basketball and fashion pushes the cultural needle. He connected that love with chances of getting inked and further expressed, I hope that I get my daughters name tattooed on me one day, but I highly doubt.. But a tattoo stands out and is closely connected to his nickname and the famous song by Lynyrd Skynyrd: the FREE BIRD phrase with colored flames on his neck. Reasons why NBA players get tattoos. 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. Who owns the tattoo rights on an athletes body? Somenot so much. Tattoos are very common in Japan, where many basketball players have them done there because of the close-knit community of basketball fans. Along with Joel Embiid, Simmons has the Philadelphia 76ers playing at the No. He is incredibly athletic but also has the tendency to make the most head-scratching plays. From sneakers to suits, whether it's in the arena tunnel or on the runway, players are putting it on, not only for themselves, but CHRISTOPHER: I feel like we should make it our duty as athletes to push our peoples forward. Andrei-Kirilenko-Tattoo. Nowadays, over 70% of the NBA players are all inked up. Honor Award . I was told if I get tattoos, I will get my a** beat, truthfully. If you watch the NBA, you know how many guys have tattoos. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference right now. 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. Posted November 14, 2018 However, only a few basketball players do. Muscala's Mario. Klay Thompson. 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. On Ellis chest reigns an ink mural: a huge tree dedicated to his family and the words Family First. The face of the Toronto Raptors, even with Kawhi Leonard was there, is one of the grittiest players in the league. Eventually, the dress code dissipated. Eddie can often be found reading up on his favorite sports stars' lives outside of the sporting world, because he wants to learn as much as he can about what makes them tick. He doesn't have one. Jimmy G. Buckets and his girlfriend Kaitlin Nowak became parents to a cute Rylee in 2019. 10 on our list. But before becoming the NBA star he is now, Lillard looked different during his high school days at Oakland. Home Blog Top 10 NBA Players Without 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. Whether or not there is a meaning behind a tattoo, totally depends on the player. James Harden comes in at No. That includes many athletes across the globe, including players in the NBA. On the flip side of Simmons, it should come as no surprise that Jimmy Butler has no tattoos. Even if he only has one tattoo on his back, he is worth including on this list due to the impressive nature of this ink artwork. How do I know if my valve spring is broken? Lillard has a psalm tattoo down his upper left arm. Commissioner David Stern wanted to bring back the Walt Clyde Frazier look, known for stunting in super-fly suits. Likewise, the portrait of Rick James, the famous singer, reigns on his left thigh. What is the size of an MLB playoff roster? Who knew they would work this well? Copyright 2020 - 2023 Sportsmanist Inc. Why are there so many tattoos in the NBA? The 67 forward player signed a 4-year $142 million contract with the Miami Heat in 2019. Many players like Curry, Paul and Duncan actually have tattoos on their bodies, but the patterns are small or hidden in inconspicuous places. CHRISTOPHER: I just always found clothes to be as, like, a way to express myself. It's hard to believe that after all these years of being a member of the "Splash Bros," that no sort of art resembling that motto is tatted on his skin. Exactly the type of athlete who would abstain from ink. Eddie Bonar is a sports fanatic and the kind of guy who will stay up late to watch his favorite team play. These days, it seems like more players are covered in body ink than those who are not and it makes sense considering the body is a wonderful canvas for self-expression. What we're singling out here is that pig though. The tattoo on Irving's left forearm led to accusationsthat he had joined the Illuminati. The 24-year old Australian was the No. She said, Honey, would you put a bumper sticker on a Bentley?. Though some have questioned his defensive effort in the past, The Beard seems to be showing some improvement on that end of the floor. While hes in the media more than Thompson or Butler, Embiid is another contained superstar. The NBA has notified Cleveland Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith that he could face a fine for each game he fails to cover-up a new tattoo on his right leg. Though the tattoos aren't immediately identifiable, they grab you instantly and look beautiful. He was planning to have Capris name tattooed as well on February 5th. But if there is a tattoo that stands out, the huge tattoo on his back features the full James 1:2-4 psalm, the portrait of Jesus, the number 35, and an angel holding a basketball. Kemba was the face of the Charlotte Hornets franchise for eight years. Tattoos are one way of expression. But after a dismal NBA Finals appearance in 2018, that seemed to flip a switch. Next time you see Chris Paul standing out on the State Farm commercials, you can stop searching for a tattoo. The 5-time NBA All-star has everything but tattoos on his body. 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. Williamson is poised to become the next face of the franchise once he gets a little older. LOS ANGELES, CA FEBRUARY 18: Jimmy Butler enters at the 67th NBA All-Star Game: Team LeBron Vs. . June 21, 2020. Some prefer them, others dont. Even though Chris has retired from the courts of NBA since 2017, he is still considered as a tattoo icon in the league's history. The image appears to be that of a muscular man, which seems to be another self-portrait for the Big Shaqtus. The scrappy point guard is beloved in Canada for delivering the nation its first NBA championship in 2019. LeBron James Steve Mitchell-USA. Nope. Ben Simmons. That was all him, and that's still here. One reads "struggle," and the other reads "dedication." We have one question though: What the heck is this thing on his arm? So I never got tattoos, I was also told if I wanted to get my ears pierced, then I had to be afford to wear real diamonds. NBA players are the most front-and-center of all athletes. NBA Twitter reacts to Mac McClung winning dunk contest: 'How Rob Pelinka let him go is beyond me'. It looks good, and it's certainly impactful. Fresh sees Westbrook as a trailblazer. People assume that rappers in the hip-hop industry have a lot of tattoos but that stereotype simply doesnt apply. - Advertisement - Contents. Coming into the league, Swift had no visible tattoos that carried high expectations. Michael Pippen, a former NBA great, has a little tattoo on his arm. Kyle Lowry seemed like he would for a long time during his run with the Raptors, especially after their Championship run back in 2019. For these players, we look at the top-10 NBA players that are tattoo-free. He is also a life-long fan of LeBron James. In 2015, however, the former Kentucky Wildcat joked that he would get a Louisville Cardinal tattooed on his forehead for an NBA championship. Antetokounmpo is in position to repeat as the NBA's Most Valuable Player, which is quite the accomplishment. ! The right side of his chest displays the words Tiaura and Deuce, the names of his son and daughter. At 18-9, the 76ers lead the Eastern Conference. We don't know why Boogie has a tattoo of the Statue of Liberty with a skeleton face. The authoritative record of NPRs programming is the audio record. Prior to this, he functioned as Managing (Story aired on ATC on March 23, 2023.). However, despite his recent MVP achievements, he still has no tattoos. Andrei Kirilenko. He's not even 21 years old yet. With so much popularity, one might think a few tattoos would be in order. But his run with Tommy Thibodeaus Bulls and now with Erik Spoelstras Heat is worth counting. Clarkson, now with the Utah Jazz, doesn't subscribe to that notion. 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. In America, many baseball players get tattoos. Stay tuned for the fresh, sporty telling, and check out other articles to share it with your friends! Andreis back is fully covered with a tattoo representing a warrior riding on a dragons back. Jan 9, 2021; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Miami Heat forward Jimmy Playing the power forward position instead of his traditional point guard role, Simmons is trying out something new in the NBA bubble. But, up until 2003, Kobe was far from being an ink-art fan. Allen has the words RA Boogie etched on his neck as a tribute to Rahsaan, a childhood friend who was tragically killed. Create Account. Don't ask me why but I always pictured him having tats. But before the inked-up Melo we know today, he showed no ink during his high school days at Oak Hill. Emailed daily. 2. This was his first arm tattoo, but like many others whove had a taste of tattooing, it wouldnt be his last. Those tattoos gave a nod to his priorities such as his love for basketball and family. Muscala's Mario tattoo looks great, and he's a delightful and beloved pop culture icon that is instantly recognizable. 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. In conclusion, the NBA is a popular sports league with a large audience. Other prominent players are Klay Thompson (GSW), Joel Embiid (Sixers), Kyle Lowry (Raptors), and Nikola Jokic (Raptors). But in August of 2019, the NBA published an article and included this little-known fact about him. In fact, there are many high-profile or well known athletes who dont have anything at all. As his tattoos increased, Clarksons game also improved. Also, the back of the calves is a weird place to plant this design. Coincidentally, Jazz forward Greg Foster may have been one of the first NBA players to get a tattoo, however dubious his artwork. This often flew under the radar, but then J.R. Smith and Lonzo Ball debuted new tattoos.