Detroit Pistons, 2011-12
Tattoo percentage: 57% (8 players with tattoos, 6 without)
Last year I noted that it was the Pistons’ veterans-Hamilton, Wallace, and McGrady-who had the most tattoos while their younger players, Austin Daye and Greg Monroe, avoided them. This year they added a few young players, including Brandon Knight, who’s also tattoo-free, but Macklin and Russell are heavily covered. I’m psyched to see what this team looks like in a year or two.
Players with tattoos:
Will Bynum
While still in high school, Bynum had the NBA logo tattooed on his left arm. Confidence!
Ben Gordon
Gordon entered the league with a tattoo of an angel giving a basketball to a kneeling figure.
Vernon Macklin
Among Macklin’s “Forty or something” tattoos, the name “Rashawn Finney” tattooed on his left forearm is one of the most treasured, according to a Gatorsports.com article. Finney, one of Macklin’s best friends from childhood, was murdered at the age of 18. “I rub this every game before tipoff,” Macklin explained to Gatorsports, “every time before I go on the [free-throw] line.”
Jason Maxiell
Maxiell has a tattoo on his left shoulder.
Walker Russell Jr.
Russell has tattoos covering both arms.
Rodney Stuckey
Stuckey’s right shoulder features an elaborate design with what appears to be a skyline, a river, and a prince holding a basketball.
Ben Wallace
Wallace has a tattoo reading “No Pain No Game” on his left shoulder.
Damien Wilkins
Photographer Janet Klinger made some portraits of Wilkins and his wife that show off the tattoos on his chest and arm.
Players without tattoos:
Austin Daye
Jonas Jerebko
Brandon Knight
Greg Monroe
Tayshaun Prince
Charlie Villaneuva
Detroit Pistons, 2011-12
Tattoo percentage: 57% (8 players with tattoos, 6 without)
Last year I noted that it was the Pistons’ veterans-Hamilton, Wallace, and McGrady-who had the most tattoos while their younger players, Austin Daye and Greg Monroe, avoided them. This year they added a few young players, including Brandon Knight, who’s also tattoo-free, but Macklin and Russell are heavily covered. I’m psyched to see what this team looks like in a year or two.
Players with tattoos:
Will Bynum
While still in high school, Bynum had the NBA logo tattooed on his left arm. Confidence!
Ben Gordon
Gordon entered the league with a tattoo of an angel giving a basketball to a kneeling figure.
Vernon Macklin
Among Macklin’s “Forty or something” tattoos, the name “Rashawn Finney” tattooed on his left forearm is one of the most treasured, according to a Gatorsports.com article. Finney, one of Macklin’s best friends from childhood, was murdered at the age of 18. “I rub this every game before tipoff,” Macklin explained to Gatorsports, “every time before I go on the [free-throw] line.”
Jason Maxiell
Maxiell has a tattoo on his left shoulder.
Walker Russell Jr.
Russell has tattoos covering both arms.
Rodney Stuckey
Stuckey’s right shoulder features an elaborate design with what appears to be a skyline, a river, and a prince holding a basketball.
Ben Wallace
Wallace has a tattoo reading “No Pain No Game” on his left shoulder.
Damien Wilkins
Photographer Janet Klinger made some portraits of Wilkins and his wife that show off the tattoos on his chest and arm.
Players without tattoos:
Austin Daye
Jonas Jerebko
Brandon Knight
Greg Monroe
Tayshaun Prince
Charlie Villaneuva
