As fun as it was to poke fun at NBA players for having terrible tattoos earlier this week, even we have to admit: Not all NBA players have ink that stinks. Unlike the J.R. Smiths and Kenyon Martins of the world, there are actually plenty of players out there that put time and effort into making their tattoos stand out from the rest of the crowd--in a good way. They represent their families, their hometowns, and their love for the game of basketball through the tatts they wear proudly on their skin. And here at StreetLevel, we're all about being fair. So to complement our list of The 11 Most Terrible Tattoos in the NBA Today, we tracked down 11 of our favorite tattoos in the league right now. Enjoy...
DeShawn Stevenson
Call us crazy for leading off the list with this selection, but we actually enjoyed seeing D-Steve walk into Washington Wizards training camp last September with a crack in his forehead, a backwards Pittsburgh Pirates logo and a snapshot of Honest Abe Lincoln tatted on his face and neck. Completely ridiculous? Of course. But looking at DeShawn's face was like looking at a car crash--and we just couldn't stop looking.
Call us crazy for leading off the list with this selection, but we actually enjoyed seeing D-Steve walk into Washington Wizards training camp last September with a crack in his forehead, a backwards Pittsburgh Pirates logo and a snapshot of Honest Abe Lincoln tatted on his face and neck. Completely ridiculous? Of course. But looking at DeShawn's face was like looking at a car crash--and we just couldn't stop looking.
Gilbert Arenas
AgentZero Six is getting killed in the media right now, so allow us to show the Wizards point guard a little love. Hey, Gil: That twisted family tree you've got tatted across your back under the words "Family Is A Haven In A Heartless World"? Niiiiice.
Agent
Kobe Bryant
The cardinal rule of tattoos: Don't get your significant other's name tatted anywhere on your body (right, Tahiry?). Fortunately for the Los Angeles Lakers superstar, all rules go out the window whenyou get got cheating on them you're the best player in the NBA. Way to keep her, Kobe.
The cardinal rule of tattoos: Don't get your significant other's name tatted anywhere on your body (right, Tahiry?). Fortunately for the Los Angeles Lakers superstar, all rules go out the window when
Chris Andersen
Plenty of sites have tried to shoot Chris "Birdman" Andersen down for the wings he's got inked on the insides of his arms. But, seriously, guys: Would you rather he still looked like this? Or this? Or this? We'll take the wings.
Plenty of sites have tried to shoot Chris "Birdman" Andersen down for the wings he's got inked on the insides of his arms. But, seriously, guys: Would you rather he still looked like this? Or this? Or this? We'll take the wings.
Carlos Boozer
Another crappy panther? Um, no. That's actually a grizzly bear, which represents the Utah Jazz forward's hometown of Juneau, Alaska. Seems a little bit cooler now, doesn't it?
Another crappy panther? Um, no. That's actually a grizzly bear, which represents the Utah Jazz forward's hometown of Juneau, Alaska. Seems a little bit cooler now, doesn't it?
LeBron James
King James has been going by the nickname "Chosen One" for years now. So it's only right that he have the name tatted across the top of his back for all of the minions of the NBA to see. Checkmate!
King James has been going by the nickname "Chosen One" for years now. So it's only right that he have the name tatted across the top of his back for all of the minions of the NBA to see. Checkmate!
Paul Pierce
Ummm....wait, so about that whole "Chosen One" thing. Paul Pierce must have missed the memo 'cause he also has the words tatted on his back. But his declaration sits just below a larger tattoo that sits on top of the scars he still brandishes from a 2000 stabbing incident that nearly killed him. Sorry, LBJ, we're choosing to like this one, too.
Ummm....wait, so about that whole "Chosen One" thing. Paul Pierce must have missed the memo 'cause he also has the words tatted on his back. But his declaration sits just below a larger tattoo that sits on top of the scars he still brandishes from a 2000 stabbing incident that nearly killed him. Sorry, LBJ, we're choosing to like this one, too.
Brandon Jennings
Dear J.R. Smith: If you're gonna ink the words "Young Money" on your body, this is the way to go. Right on the money, B Jennings.
Dear J.R. Smith: If you're gonna ink the words "Young Money" on your body, this is the way to go. Right on the money, B Jennings.
Marquis Daniels
The Boston Celtics guard isn't shooting 100 percent when it comes to tattoos: He's reportedly got one on his left arm that is supposed to be his initials in Chinese characters but actually translates to mean "healthy woman roof." Nonetheless, the map of Florida etched across his back is spectacular--and the second best map of Florida we've ever seen.
The Boston Celtics guard isn't shooting 100 percent when it comes to tattoos: He's reportedly got one on his left arm that is supposed to be his initials in Chinese characters but actually translates to mean "healthy woman roof." Nonetheless, the map of Florida etched across his back is spectacular--and the second best map of Florida we've ever seen.
Rasheed Wallace
Everyone's seen the Egyptian-themed tattoo that Boston Celtics forward Rasheed Wallace rocks on his right arm to pay homage to his family. But he took things to a whole new level in 2008 when he got his entire back covered to represent his love for his daughter. Daddy's little girl, for real!
Everyone's seen the Egyptian-themed tattoo that Boston Celtics forward Rasheed Wallace rocks on his right arm to pay homage to his family. But he took things to a whole new level in 2008 when he got his entire back covered to represent his love for his daughter. Daddy's little girl, for real!
Stephen Jackson
It's hard to figure exactly how insane you need to be to completely disregard NBA Commissioner David Stern's opinion on guns and get one tattooed on your body. But one look at Jackson's infamous tattoo tells us that's he definitely got to be up there.
It's hard to figure exactly how insane you need to be to completely disregard NBA Commissioner David Stern's opinion on guns and get one tattooed on your body. But one look at Jackson's infamous tattoo tells us that's he definitely got to be up there.
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