Image via Complex Original
Intro
Out of all pro athletes, the ballers with the largest number and most visible tattoos are NBA players. No other player has become more known for his tats in recent years than Chris "Birdman" Andersen. When he's not on the court or making ridiculously awesome local ads, homie is probably getting inked up. In honor of Birdman, who turns 33 today, we're bringing you the craziest tattoos we've seen on NBA players over the years. From Kobe Bryant's permanent apology to Vanessa to Delonte West living up to the "G-Code" here are the 25 Most Ridiculous Tattoos in NBA History...
Dominique Jones
25. Dominique Jones, Larry O'Brien Trophy
This Mavs rookie swagger-jacked Jason Terry's NBA trophy tattoo despite having contributed a total of ZERO minutes during Dallas' championship run in the playoffs. SMH, young'ns these days...
Deron Williams
24. Deron Williams, "No Guts, No Glory"
D-Will is no stranger to odd tattoo choices. After covering up one of his first tattoos with the collage of images that currently exists on his left arm, Deron moved onto this ridiculous "No Guts, No Glory" tat on his triceps. We don't doubt that Williams has guts, it takes some of that to get a veteran coach like Jerry Sloan to leave. Good luck on finding the glory in New Jersey, though.
Marcin Gortat
23. Marcin Gortat, Jumpman Logo
How are you going to have a Jumpman tat while rocking Reeboks? He made sure to throw in the basketball silhouette, too. We've come to this conclusion: MJ needs to cut this man a check. He's the only baller in NBA history that's not on team Jordan, but is always reppin'.
Wilson Chandler
22. Wilson Chandler, "Unstoppable" with Juggernaut Comic Character
We know cartoon characters are still big, especially since a slew of blockbuster films have been based off comics in the last few years. Still, that is absolutely no reason for a grown man to have a character tatted all over his back. Chandler, c'mon son!
Richard Jefferson
21. Richard Jefferson, Cartoon-font "RJ"
We're convinced Richard Jefferson drew this on a napkin and told his roommate to have at it; either that or RJ was passed out. The Spurs lost in the first-round because of it. That or Tony Parker was smashing his teammate's wife, again.
Matt Barnes
20. Matt Barnes, And1 Logo
If you're going to get an And1 logo tattoo, you have to make sure of two things: 1. It's in a place where no one can see it. 2. You play like an And1 baller. Judging by the scorecard, Matt Barnes is 0-2.
Brad Miller
19. Brad Miller, Scrappy Doo
WTF is wrong with these guys? A 7-footer with a tat of Scrappy Doo is asinine and Brad prefers dancing over fighting, just ask Shaq.
Greg Ostertag
18. Greg Ostertag, Fred Flintstone Ballin'
This tat is a pretty good representation of Ostertag's game. How do dudes like this even make it in the league?!
Luke Walton
17. Luke Walton, Grateful Dead Dancing Skeletons
As an homage to his father Bill Walton, his three brothers, and his love for basketball, Luke combined all three by sporting some ink of four Grateful Dead skeletons with basketballs in their hands. We can't hate too much because of the meaning, but since every brother was pretty much a scrub in the NBA, shouldn't one of the skeletons have double-dribbled, knocked it off their foot or something? #keepit100
Gilbert Arenas
16. Gilbert Arenas, Tiger
Agent 0 is an odd character, from his well-documented history of crazy moments to his more recent fascination with planking, dude simply doesn't give a fuck. Maybe the tiger represents the ballin' beast within him? That same beast who was ghost in Orlando this past season.
Kenyon Martin
15. Kenyon Martin, Trina's Lips
Though he thankfully changed it after the break-up, did Kenyon Martin unintentionally start a fad? Across the country fugazy thugs were seen with lips tatted on their necks. And K-Mart's stamp on the game was solidified, where's Timmy Thomas when you need him?
Kobe Bryant
14. Kobe Bryant, "Vanessa" with Butterfly Crown, Wings, and Halo
It doesn't get much more real than Kobe's, "I'm sorry for smashing that white girl in Colorado" tattoo. It brings a whole new meaning to the "Damn, I fucked up. I'm offically whipped for life" "wearing your heart on your sleeve" saying.
Marquis Daniels
13. Marquis Daniels, Suicidal Cartoon Character
Coming from the same dude who got a Rick Ross-esque chain of his own face made, this tattoo isn't all that surprising. Plus going from the Celtics to the Sacramento Kings is basically career suicide anyway.
Stephen Jackson
12. Stephen Jackson, Praying Hands With Gun
Since everyone and their mother sports the praying hands tat, Stephen Jackson put a unique (and idiotic) twist on the traditional image by placing a gun in the hands. God don't like ugly...
Michael Beasley
11. Michael Beasley, "Supercool Beas"
That must've been some good piff he was smoking. How does a millionaire resort to backyard tattoo artists? That's the same font on kindergarten bulletin boards and those wings are mad small, bruh.
Brandon Jennings
10. Brandon Jennings, "Young Money"
OK, Brandon Jennings is only 21-years-old and he did make over $2 million last season, but we know what this is all about. SMH, Weezy stans are the worst...
Monta Ellis
9. Monta Ellis, Family Forrest
Monta took the meaning of family tree to a whole new level. Branches going through the nipples and all (II), kinda makes sense for a dude who wants to be a rapper though. He's already got the Southern swag and tats, now someone get him one of those Lex Luger beats, STAT!
LeBron James
8. LeBron James, "Loyalty"
What? You didn't know that ironic tattoos are the new trend? OJ Da Juiceman just got a "Best Rapper Alive" tat and Lindsay Lohan has a "D.A.R.E" one, too.
J.R. Smith
7. J.R. Smith, Young Money Logo
Unless J.R. Smith is signed to Young Money and we don’t know it, this is one of the thirstiest tattoos we have ever seen. So, J.R. when are you getting the YMCMB tat since the sweater hasn’t come in the mail yet?
Andrei Kirilenko
6. Andrei Kirilenko, World of Warcraft Character
Maybe Andrei Kirilenko wanted to toughen up his image with this back tattoo, but when you flop around like AK-47 does on the reg, there’s no tat that can save your soft-as-Charmin image.
Jason Williams
5. Jason Williams, "White Boy"
Hopefully, for Jason Williams’ sake, dude was real drunk when he decided to go through with this dumb tattoo idea. First of all, you are a white boy, so there’s no need of getting that tatted on your hands. And secondly, your hands?! Good luck looking at the mirror when you’re old and senile wondering why you have YOBETIHW on your fingers.
Delonte West
4. Delonte West, "G-Code" Barcode
We already told you Delonte West is a crazy guy. So, this tattoo should come as no surprise. We have one question though: What part of the G-Code allows you to (allegedly) smash your teammate's mom? #justsayin'
Stephon Marbury
3. Stephon Marbury, Starbury Logo on head
This guy. The cheap kicks were commendable Steph, but c'mon dude, no need to rub it in. We're surprised he hasn't tatted his career stats anywhere else. Our maybe he has (II)...any groupies out there that can vouch?
DeShawn Stevenson
2. DeShawn Stevenson, "505" with Abe Lincoln
What's the science behind this tat? At first we thought he was reppin' his area code, but that's New Mexico and homie has no ties to that region. Maybe it's some show of appreciation for Abe Lincoln's issuing of the of the Emancipation Proclamation? Nah, too deep for a dude who rocks shit like this. The mystery continues...
Chris "Birdman" Andersen
1. Chris "Birdman" Andersen, "Free Bird" and More
Chris Andersen is pretty much the poster boy for NBA players with tattoos. The colorful "Free Bird" ink is surely pushing David Stern's limits. We ain't mad at dude though, salute and happy birthday to the Birdman!