The 2014 NBA season is underway, which means plenty of jokes about LeBron James’ hairline, debates about championship contenders, and tattoos of the struggle variety.
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Few, if any, other major sports provide as much exposure for ink enthusiasts. And NBA players sport everything from traditional bicep coverage to face and head tattoos (even in retirement we’re looking at you, Stephon Marbury). With photographic proof, take a look at the NBA’s worst struggle tattoos and see who needs to use some of their contract money for some removal sessions.
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Given their penchant for allegedly not paying their artists, Birdman and Lil Wayne should be the only people with Young Money tattoos. Somebody forgot to tell New York Knicks guard J.R. Smith.
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His wife Vanessa might not have been shooting with him in the gym, but Kobe Bryant will have her on his right bicep for life thanks to this suspect tattoo of her name, a butterfly Tiara and what appears to be either her hair or a pair of wings.
New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony represents his hometown of West Baltimore, but unfortunately his ink just looks like free product placement for Warner Bros.
You have to feel sympathy for constantly injured Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose. But as for that crazy looking wizard on his left shoulder under the phrase “Poohdini?”
Instead of showing his spiritual side with a quote from the Bible’s James 1:2, Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant showed that his tattoo artist got caught slipping with a typo by spelling the word mature as mautre. Luckily, he caught the mistake in time and fixed it. You the real MVP.
Remember when those ironic, hipster mustache tattoos were popular? Denver Nuggets center JaVale McGee has no choice but to remember since he inked one on his outer-left index finger.
As if playing for the always-terrible Minnesota Timberwolves wasn’t bad enough, guard Mo. Williams has the Planters “Mr. Peanut” guy on his left bicep for life.
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Are you going to be the one to tell Chris “Birdman” Andersen he looks ridiculous with that “Free Bird” tattoo inscribed across his neck? Nah, us neither.
By the looks of this video on his CBTV YouTube channel, Miami Heat big man Chris Bosh has been working on this hot mess of a back piece since he was still in Toronto. Between the random tree, woman eating a skull and music notes, Bosh might be the only one who can make sense of it.
We have it on good authority that Stephen Jackson got his tattoo of praying hands holding a gun after being charged with criminal recklessness for shooting his gun in the air in 2006. His rationale was that he prayed he’d never have to use his piece again.
