Boston Celtics, 2012-13
Tattoo percentage: 67% (10 players with tattoos, 5 without)
The Celtics kept their tattoo percentage even with last year.
Players with tattoos:
Brandon Bass
Among Bass’s many tattoos is the phrase “God, Grind, Greatness” on the inside of his left bicep. In a profile by Ben Watanabe, Bass explained that the phrase originated during his high school days:
“During the week, I would work out, and on the weekend I would go play in tournaments. So I was praying, working on my game and then when we were in tournaments, I was getting ranked higher. To me, it equaled success, me praying and working hard, so that’s how I came up with ‘God, Grind, Greatness.’”
Jordan Crawford
Crawford has the words “Fab Five” tattooed on his back of his arms.
Kevin Garnett
As reported by Red’s Army, Garnett got a new tattoo in August of 2012. The design was done at FY Ink, who shared a handful of photos of the work in progress.
Courtney Lee
Lee credits his entire professional career to the guidance and mentoring of Danny Rumph, a promising point guard who died of a heart condition at the age of 21. The two met at Western Kentucky University, where Rumph’s positive influence kept Lee in school and focused on basketball. Following Rumph’s death, Lee designed a tribute to his friend, tattooed on his right arm. As described by Fran Blinebury for NBA.com:
“The tattoo on his right biceps is a drawing of his friend wearing his Philadelphia Phillies baseball cap on his head, with wings sprouting from his shoulders and holding a basketball with the No. 11 inside. A couple of other Western Kentucky teammates, Anthony Winchester and Elgrace Wilborn, have the same tattoo that Lee had sketched out.”
Fab Melo
Melo has a tattoo on his right shoulder.
Paul Pierce
In September 2000, just before Pierce’s third year as a pro, he was stabbed 11 times at a nightclub in Boston. Several years later, he had a basketball with a dagger through it tattooed on his arm. As described by Pierce to the website Vegas Deluxe, “It represents how close I came to losing my life. Basketball is my gift and my curse. Obviously there are all the good things that come from playing basketball, but you also have to deal with all the negative things that come with being a basketball player.”
Rajon Rondo
Rondo has the double-R Rolls Royce logo tattooed on his back, which also references his initials.
Jason Terry
Terry has a tattoo of Underdog, which he explained in a 2008 Dime Magazine interview: “I never was seen as one of the best players on the court ’til senior year of high school. Even at Arizona, I was not a starter ’til senior year.”
Chris Wilcox
Wilcox has tattoos on both arms.
Terrence Williams
Williams is one of several heavily-tattooed players from Seattle. A 2009 New York Times profile touched upon this phenomenon, noting that Williams and Nate Robinson grew up together “in the Seattle development referred to as “8 Block,” a reference to the government-assisted housing known as Section 8.” Two of the most heavily-inked players in the league, Williams and Robinson have a matching tattoo of the number 8 inside a spiderweb to commemorate their shared adolescence.
Players without tattoos:
Avery Bradley
Jeff Green
Shavlik Randolph
Jared Sullinger
D.J. White
Jordan Crawford’s “Fab Five”
Here’s an image of Crawford’s “Fab Five” tattoo from tonight’s game. Not sure if the tattoo is in tribute to some aspect of his life or the famed Michigan squad, but according to a 2011 Twitter post, Crawford is a fan of the latter.
Washington Wizards, 2012-13
Tattoo percentage: 47% (7 players with tattoos, 8 without)
The Wizards have a lower tattoo percentage than last year.
Players with tattoos:
Trevor Ariza
Among Ariza’s many tattoos are 5 designs dedicated to his younger brother, who died when they were both children. As described by a New Orleans Times-Picayune profile, these tributes are, “displayed on Ariza’s arms, chest and neck and include a sketch of Tajh’s likeness, clasped hands in prayer over Tajh’s name, and on the inside of Ariza’s left forearm, the words ‘Blood is thicker than water. I am my brother’s keeper. Rest in peace, Tajh. I miss you.’”
Leandro Barbosa
Among Barbosa’s few tattoos is the text “Love, sacrifice, and union” on the back of his neck.
Bradley Beal
A good percentage of Beal’s tattoos are dedicated to his family. As described by a recent Washington Post profile, his right arm features “four descending stars, with the letters B-E-A-L inside, and names of his four siblings — Brandon, Bruce, Byron and Bryon — to the right of the stars. The names of his parents, Bobby and Besta, arch above them all.” The article also mentions that his mother accompanied Beal to his first tattoo session, and that he was fifteen years old at the time.
Trevor Booker
A Washington Post profile printed at the beginning of the 2010-11 season praised Booker for his tenacity, and described a tattoo that represents the distillation of his attitude: “Booker wears his motto tattooed across his chest. It reads, ‘I am free of all prejudice/I hate all opponents equally.’
Cartier Martin
In the summer of 2011, Martin had the words “Beware of the Grind” tattooed on his left arm.
Kevin Seraphin
Normally hidden by his jersey, Seraphin has an elaborate tattoo of an angel on his back.
Martell Webster
Webster was raised by his great-aunt Beulah Walker, a relationship explored in a 2006 Washington Post article. The piece describes Webster’s first two tattoos, and his process of asking his great-aunt for permission:
Shortly after he was drafted, Webster convinced Walker to let him get a tattoo of her eyes on his left shoulder and of Jesus on his right. “He said, ‘With you on my left side and Jesus watching me on my right side, I’m going to make it.’ So I said ‘Yes.’ Cause I’m a very religious woman,” said Walker, who added that she hates tattoos.
Players without tattoos:
Jason Collins
Nene
Emeka Okafor
A.J. Price
Chris Singleton
Garrett Temple
Jan Vesely
John Wall
Washington Wizards, 2011-12
Tattoo percentage: 50% (7 players with tattoos, 7 without)
The Wizards have matched last year’s number of tattooed players, which was 50% tattooed. Like last year, it’s notable that their marquee player, John Wall, has avoided tattoos for marketing reasons.
Players with tattoos:
Andray Blatche
Frank of Hawks Nest Tattoo, Maryland, posted a photo on his myspace page of a tattoo session with Blatche. The caption reads “my first tattoo, tattooing andray blatche of the washington wizards” which, if taken at face value, is hilarious. I think he just means it’s the first tattoo he’s done for Blatche or maybe for an NBA player or something, but instead it seems like it’s the first tattoo he’s ever given. Which falls into the identity the Wizards have unfortunately developed this year. Guys like Carmelo Anthony and Amar’e Stoudemire go to professional tattoo artists with long resumes of working with famous people and especially basketball players. But Blatche? No big deal, he gives a rookie artist his first shot.
Trevor Booker
Last year the Washington Post reported on Booker’s new forearm tattoo, one of those designs that creates the illusion that his skin has been peeled away, revealing machinery beneath.
Maurice Evans
Below a design of two hands holding the earth, Evans has tattooed some inspirational words which he described in a video interview: “It says ‘proba te dignum’ which is Latin for prove yourself worthy.”
Rashard Lewis
Before the start of his first pro season, Lewis got a tattoo on his right arm of a man clutching a basketball with his mother’s name—Juanita—marked on the ball itself. A 1998 profile has the 19 year old Lewis describing the significance of the design: “‘This is all I have right now,’ Lewis says, pointing to his arm, ‘my mother and basketball.’”
Shelvin Mack
It’s difficult to make out the design (I think it’s a “laugh now/cry later”), but Mack has a tattoo on his left arm.
Cartier Martin
Martin has tattoos on both arms.
Roger Mason Jr.
In 2007, Mason covered his left arm in a meticulous, richly-symbolic tribute to his father. “There’s references from five different centuries and three or four different genres of art,” his tattoo artist, Grant Cobb explained to the Washington Post. “It was something that kind of needed some work, but it means a lot to him, it was real personal….It was really cool to be able to do something like that for him.” Or, in the words of Mason’s then-teammate, DeShawn Stevenson, “that’s blazin’.” Mason himself feels indifferent to the praise: “”Everybody loves it who sees it, but the meaning is what’s important. That’s why I got it.” Bonus twitter post: “Tattoo’s just wouldn’t be the same if they didn’t hurt like heck!”
Brian Cook
Jordan Crawford
Nenê
Kevin Seraphin
Chris Singleton
Jan Vesely
John Wall
No longer on roster:
Hamady N’Diaye - has tattoos on his chest
Washington Wizards, 2010-11
Tattoo percentage: 50% (7 players with tattoos, 7 without)
The Wizards tattoo situation is another one that’s rich with symbolism. You have guys like Blatche, McGee, and Lewis who just have these crazy assortments of tattoos—some highlights, some flashes of creativity, and some extreme WTF moments—but nothing’s really composed or organized. Nick Young has this great, positive message of faith, but it’s all tucked under his jersey, preserved for himself only. Mo Evans, the veteran of the squad and oldest player on the team presides over the young squad with a tattoo that says prove yourself worthy—in Latin. And then there’s Wall, who somehow demonstrates more heart and dedication talking abut the tattoo he wants but won’t get than the rest of the team sounds talking about the tattoos they actually have.
—
Player with tattoos:
Andray Blatche
While Blatche has several tattoos, including a basketball, scripture, and a dollar sign, in 2009 he described a tattoo he wanted but never got, inspired by a training camp session where he shattered a backboard while dunking over Hakim Warrick: “I came around a screen and just jumped as high as I can, because I knew he was a shot blocker, and I just came down hard and it shattered, pshhhh. I had to go the hospital, got a couple stitches in my arm. I was real happy. I was gonna get a tattoo about it, ‘Rim Breaking’ or something.”
Trevor Booker
A Washington Post profile printed at the beginning of the 2010-11 season praised Booker for his tenacity, and described a tattoo that represents the distillation of his attitude: “Booker wears his motto tattooed across his chest. It reads, ‘I am free of all prejudice/I hate all opponents equally.’”
Maurice Evans
Below a design of two hands holding the earth, Evans has tattooed some inspirational words which he described in a video interview: “It says ‘proba te dignum’ which is Latin for prove yourself worthy.”
Josh Howard
Howard has two tattoos in tribute to his grandmother—on his shoulder, he has her address, and on his chest, her portrait: “I stay humble. I always remember where I came from. Always have to do that. I have a tattoo on my chest and heart of my grandma to remind me.”
Rashard Lewis
Before the start of his first pro season, Lewis got a tattoo on his right arm of a man clutching a basketball with his mother’s name—Juanita—marked on the ball itself. A 1998 profile has the 19 year old Lewis describing the significance of the design: “‘This is all I have right now,’ Lewis says, pointing to his arm, ‘my mother and basketball.’”
JaVale McGee
In May of 2010, McGee posted photos on his twitter account of his new tattoo—a barcode between his shoulder blades.
Nick Young
Young prepared for the 2010-11 season by having the word “FAITH” tattooed across his chest, a move he described in an interview: “‘It feels like a new birth. I’m just ready to take on any challenge. I’m trying to get tattoos and coming back totally new — a new Nick,’ Young said, flashing a grin, then flexing to show he has hit the weight room this summer to add another seven pounds of muscle. ‘I can stomach the big dogs this year.’”
Players without tattoos:
Jordan Crawford
Othyus Jeffers
Hamady N’Diaye
Larry Owens
Kevin Seraphin
John Wall: Shortly after being drafted in 2010, an article discussed his decision to avoid tattoos: “Wall has declined to get tattoos because of concerns over his image for marketing reasons, but he is considering getting one on his chest, considering it strongly enough that he has a specific design in mind. It would be of his dad’s face, with clouds surrounding, and the words ‘Forever Living On.’”
Yi Jianlian
Boston Celtics, 2012-13
Tattoo percentage: 67% (10 players with tattoos, 5 without)
The Celtics kept their tattoo percentage even with last year.
Players with tattoos:
Brandon Bass
Among Bass’s many tattoos is the phrase “God, Grind, Greatness” on the inside of his left bicep. In a profile by Ben Watanabe, Bass explained that the phrase originated during his high school days:
“During the week, I would work out, and on the weekend I would go play in tournaments. So I was praying, working on my game and then when we were in tournaments, I was getting ranked higher. To me, it equaled success, me praying and working hard, so that’s how I came up with ‘God, Grind, Greatness.’”
Jordan Crawford
Crawford has the words “Fab Five” tattooed on his back of his arms.
Kevin Garnett
As reported by Red’s Army, Garnett got a new tattoo in August of 2012. The design was done at FY Ink, who shared a handful of photos of the work in progress.
Courtney Lee
Lee credits his entire professional career to the guidance and mentoring of Danny Rumph, a promising point guard who died of a heart condition at the age of 21. The two met at Western Kentucky University, where Rumph’s positive influence kept Lee in school and focused on basketball. Following Rumph’s death, Lee designed a tribute to his friend, tattooed on his right arm. As described by Fran Blinebury for NBA.com:
“The tattoo on his right biceps is a drawing of his friend wearing his Philadelphia Phillies baseball cap on his head, with wings sprouting from his shoulders and holding a basketball with the No. 11 inside. A couple of other Western Kentucky teammates, Anthony Winchester and Elgrace Wilborn, have the same tattoo that Lee had sketched out.”
Fab Melo
Melo has a tattoo on his right shoulder.
Paul Pierce
In September 2000, just before Pierce’s third year as a pro, he was stabbed 11 times at a nightclub in Boston. Several years later, he had a basketball with a dagger through it tattooed on his arm. As described by Pierce to the website Vegas Deluxe, “It represents how close I came to losing my life. Basketball is my gift and my curse. Obviously there are all the good things that come from playing basketball, but you also have to deal with all the negative things that come with being a basketball player.”
Rajon Rondo
Rondo has the double-R Rolls Royce logo tattooed on his back, which also references his initials.
Jason Terry
Terry has a tattoo of Underdog, which he explained in a 2008 Dime Magazine interview: “I never was seen as one of the best players on the court ’til senior year of high school. Even at Arizona, I was not a starter ’til senior year.”
Chris Wilcox
Wilcox has tattoos on both arms.
Terrence Williams
Williams is one of several heavily-tattooed players from Seattle. A 2009 New York Times profile touched upon this phenomenon, noting that Williams and Nate Robinson grew up together “in the Seattle development referred to as “8 Block,” a reference to the government-assisted housing known as Section 8.” Two of the most heavily-inked players in the league, Williams and Robinson have a matching tattoo of the number 8 inside a spiderweb to commemorate their shared adolescence.
Players without tattoos:
Avery Bradley
Jeff Green
Shavlik Randolph
Jared Sullinger
D.J. White
Jordan Crawford’s “Fab Five”
Here’s an image of Crawford’s “Fab Five” tattoo from tonight’s game. Not sure if the tattoo is in tribute to some aspect of his life or the famed Michigan squad, but according to a 2011 Twitter post, Crawford is a fan of the latter.
Washington Wizards, 2012-13
Tattoo percentage: 47% (7 players with tattoos, 8 without)
The Wizards have a lower tattoo percentage than last year.
Players with tattoos:
Trevor Ariza
Among Ariza’s many tattoos are 5 designs dedicated to his younger brother, who died when they were both children. As described by a New Orleans Times-Picayune profile, these tributes are, “displayed on Ariza’s arms, chest and neck and include a sketch of Tajh’s likeness, clasped hands in prayer over Tajh’s name, and on the inside of Ariza’s left forearm, the words ‘Blood is thicker than water. I am my brother’s keeper. Rest in peace, Tajh. I miss you.’”
Leandro Barbosa
Among Barbosa’s few tattoos is the text “Love, sacrifice, and union” on the back of his neck.
Bradley Beal
A good percentage of Beal’s tattoos are dedicated to his family. As described by a recent Washington Post profile, his right arm features “four descending stars, with the letters B-E-A-L inside, and names of his four siblings — Brandon, Bruce, Byron and Bryon — to the right of the stars. The names of his parents, Bobby and Besta, arch above them all.” The article also mentions that his mother accompanied Beal to his first tattoo session, and that he was fifteen years old at the time.
Trevor Booker
A Washington Post profile printed at the beginning of the 2010-11 season praised Booker for his tenacity, and described a tattoo that represents the distillation of his attitude: “Booker wears his motto tattooed across his chest. It reads, ‘I am free of all prejudice/I hate all opponents equally.’
Cartier Martin
In the summer of 2011, Martin had the words “Beware of the Grind” tattooed on his left arm.
Kevin Seraphin
Normally hidden by his jersey, Seraphin has an elaborate tattoo of an angel on his back.
Martell Webster
Webster was raised by his great-aunt Beulah Walker, a relationship explored in a 2006 Washington Post article. The piece describes Webster’s first two tattoos, and his process of asking his great-aunt for permission:
Shortly after he was drafted, Webster convinced Walker to let him get a tattoo of her eyes on his left shoulder and of Jesus on his right. “He said, ‘With you on my left side and Jesus watching me on my right side, I’m going to make it.’ So I said ‘Yes.’ Cause I’m a very religious woman,” said Walker, who added that she hates tattoos.
Players without tattoos:
Jason Collins
Nene
Emeka Okafor
A.J. Price
Chris Singleton
Garrett Temple
Jan Vesely
John Wall
Washington Wizards, 2011-12
Tattoo percentage: 50% (7 players with tattoos, 7 without)
The Wizards have matched last year’s number of tattooed players, which was 50% tattooed. Like last year, it’s notable that their marquee player, John Wall, has avoided tattoos for marketing reasons.
Players with tattoos:
Andray Blatche
Frank of Hawks Nest Tattoo, Maryland, posted a photo on his myspace page of a tattoo session with Blatche. The caption reads “my first tattoo, tattooing andray blatche of the washington wizards” which, if taken at face value, is hilarious. I think he just means it’s the first tattoo he’s done for Blatche or maybe for an NBA player or something, but instead it seems like it’s the first tattoo he’s ever given. Which falls into the identity the Wizards have unfortunately developed this year. Guys like Carmelo Anthony and Amar’e Stoudemire go to professional tattoo artists with long resumes of working with famous people and especially basketball players. But Blatche? No big deal, he gives a rookie artist his first shot.
Trevor Booker
Last year the Washington Post reported on Booker’s new forearm tattoo, one of those designs that creates the illusion that his skin has been peeled away, revealing machinery beneath.
Maurice Evans
Below a design of two hands holding the earth, Evans has tattooed some inspirational words which he described in a video interview: “It says ‘proba te dignum’ which is Latin for prove yourself worthy.”
Rashard Lewis
Before the start of his first pro season, Lewis got a tattoo on his right arm of a man clutching a basketball with his mother’s name—Juanita—marked on the ball itself. A 1998 profile has the 19 year old Lewis describing the significance of the design: “‘This is all I have right now,’ Lewis says, pointing to his arm, ‘my mother and basketball.’”
Shelvin Mack
It’s difficult to make out the design (I think it’s a “laugh now/cry later”), but Mack has a tattoo on his left arm.
Cartier Martin
Martin has tattoos on both arms.
Roger Mason Jr.
In 2007, Mason covered his left arm in a meticulous, richly-symbolic tribute to his father. “There’s references from five different centuries and three or four different genres of art,” his tattoo artist, Grant Cobb explained to the Washington Post. “It was something that kind of needed some work, but it means a lot to him, it was real personal….It was really cool to be able to do something like that for him.” Or, in the words of Mason’s then-teammate, DeShawn Stevenson, “that’s blazin’.” Mason himself feels indifferent to the praise: “”Everybody loves it who sees it, but the meaning is what’s important. That’s why I got it.” Bonus twitter post: “Tattoo’s just wouldn’t be the same if they didn’t hurt like heck!”
Brian Cook
Jordan Crawford
Nenê
Kevin Seraphin
Chris Singleton
Jan Vesely
John Wall
No longer on roster:
Hamady N’Diaye - has tattoos on his chest
Washington Wizards, 2010-11
Tattoo percentage: 50% (7 players with tattoos, 7 without)
The Wizards tattoo situation is another one that’s rich with symbolism. You have guys like Blatche, McGee, and Lewis who just have these crazy assortments of tattoos—some highlights, some flashes of creativity, and some extreme WTF moments—but nothing’s really composed or organized. Nick Young has this great, positive message of faith, but it’s all tucked under his jersey, preserved for himself only. Mo Evans, the veteran of the squad and oldest player on the team presides over the young squad with a tattoo that says prove yourself worthy—in Latin. And then there’s Wall, who somehow demonstrates more heart and dedication talking abut the tattoo he wants but won’t get than the rest of the team sounds talking about the tattoos they actually have.
—
Player with tattoos:
Andray Blatche
While Blatche has several tattoos, including a basketball, scripture, and a dollar sign, in 2009 he described a tattoo he wanted but never got, inspired by a training camp session where he shattered a backboard while dunking over Hakim Warrick: “I came around a screen and just jumped as high as I can, because I knew he was a shot blocker, and I just came down hard and it shattered, pshhhh. I had to go the hospital, got a couple stitches in my arm. I was real happy. I was gonna get a tattoo about it, ‘Rim Breaking’ or something.”
Trevor Booker
A Washington Post profile printed at the beginning of the 2010-11 season praised Booker for his tenacity, and described a tattoo that represents the distillation of his attitude: “Booker wears his motto tattooed across his chest. It reads, ‘I am free of all prejudice/I hate all opponents equally.’”
Maurice Evans
Below a design of two hands holding the earth, Evans has tattooed some inspirational words which he described in a video interview: “It says ‘proba te dignum’ which is Latin for prove yourself worthy.”
Josh Howard
Howard has two tattoos in tribute to his grandmother—on his shoulder, he has her address, and on his chest, her portrait: “I stay humble. I always remember where I came from. Always have to do that. I have a tattoo on my chest and heart of my grandma to remind me.”
Rashard Lewis
Before the start of his first pro season, Lewis got a tattoo on his right arm of a man clutching a basketball with his mother’s name—Juanita—marked on the ball itself. A 1998 profile has the 19 year old Lewis describing the significance of the design: “‘This is all I have right now,’ Lewis says, pointing to his arm, ‘my mother and basketball.’”
JaVale McGee
In May of 2010, McGee posted photos on his twitter account of his new tattoo—a barcode between his shoulder blades.
Nick Young
Young prepared for the 2010-11 season by having the word “FAITH” tattooed across his chest, a move he described in an interview: “‘It feels like a new birth. I’m just ready to take on any challenge. I’m trying to get tattoos and coming back totally new — a new Nick,’ Young said, flashing a grin, then flexing to show he has hit the weight room this summer to add another seven pounds of muscle. ‘I can stomach the big dogs this year.’”
Players without tattoos:
Jordan Crawford
Othyus Jeffers
Hamady N’Diaye
Larry Owens
Kevin Seraphin
John Wall: Shortly after being drafted in 2010, an article discussed his decision to avoid tattoos: “Wall has declined to get tattoos because of concerns over his image for marketing reasons, but he is considering getting one on his chest, considering it strongly enough that he has a specific design in mind. It would be of his dad’s face, with clouds surrounding, and the words ‘Forever Living On.’”
Yi Jianlian
