Gallery: The Craziest Tattoos in NBA History

From Larry O'Brien trophies to animals, what are the wildest displays of permanent expression in NBA history

Not Available Lead
Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

Not Available Lead

Earlier this week the world got to know Atlanta Hawks forward Mike Smith, well, we at least got to know what he considers art. NBA players, and athletes in general, have been known for getting all kinds of ink in every free space imaginable on their bodies. Some tats are over the top, some are epic fails, and sometimes a player gets something so out there that it can only be labeled as a head-scratcher. Mike Smith definitely falls into the last category, as he has chosen to decorate his arms with what can only be described as emojis. Yes, as in I'm a 15-year-old girl texting a crush type of shit.

Now, we have no idea what would possess Smith to get emojis tatted all over his body. However, the crew over at Triangle Offense came up with several possible explanations for the unique art choice, which only furthers the intrigue behind the great emoji mystery. Either way, in light of the NBA playoffs being under way, and the discovery of Scott's emojis, we decided to take a look back at some other baller choices of permanent expression. From J.R. Smith's Young Money logo to Deron Wiliams' panther, check out, in no particular order, the Craziest Tattoos in NBA History.

Brad Miller, Scrappy Doo

Not Available Interstitial

Chris Bosh, Back

Not Available Interstitial

Eddy Curry, Everything

Not Available Interstitial

Shawn Marion, Demon Bird Mothballs

Not Available Interstitial

Marcin Gortat, Jumpman Logo

Not Available Interstitial

Mike Bibby, Ball and Hoop

Not Available Interstitial

Stephon Marbury, Starbury Logo on head

Not Available Interstitial

Delonte West, "G-Code" Barcode

Not Available Interstitial

Allen Iverson, Money Bagz

Not Available Interstitial

Greg Ostertag, Fred Flintstone Ballin'

Not Available Interstitial

Richard Jefferson, Cartoon-font "RJ"

Not Available Interstitial

Dennis Rodman, Bulls on Chest

Not Available Interstitial

J.R. Smith, Everything

Not Available Interstitial

Luke Walton, Grateful Dead Dancing Skeletons

Not Available Interstitial

Solomon Jones, Florida

Not Available Interstitial

Kevin Durant, Everything

Not Available Interstitial

Derrick Rose, "Poohdini"

Not Available Interstitial

DeShawn Stevenson, No. 2

Not Available Interstitial

Robert Swift, Sleeves

Not Available Interstitial

Monta Ellis, Family Forrest

Not Available Interstitial

Carmelo Anthony, Who Can I Trust

Not Available Interstitial

Brad Miller, AND1

Not Available Interstitial

John Salmons and Jermaine O'Neal, "Person Who Sells Coffins"

Not Available Interstitial

Chris "Birdman" Andersen, "Free Bird" and More

Not Available Interstitial

DeShawn Stevenson, "505" with Abe Lincoln

Not Available Interstitial

Jason Williams, "White Boy"

Not Available Interstitial

Andrei Kirilenko, World of Warcraft Character

Not Available Interstitial

J.R. Smith, Young Money Logo

Not Available Interstitial

Dominique Jones, Larry O'Brien Trophy

Not Available Interstitial

LeBron James, "Loyalty"

Not Available Interstitial

Robert Sacre, DMX and Snoop

Not Available Interstitial

Brandon Jennings, "Young Money"

Not Available Interstitial

Michael Beasley, "Supercool Beas"

Not Available Interstitial

Stephen Jackson, Praying Hands With Gun

Not Available Interstitial

Marquis Daniels, Suicidal Cartoon Character

Not Available Interstitial

Kobe Bryant, "Vanessa" with Butterfly Crown, Wings, and Halo

Not Available Interstitial

Deron Williams, Panther

Not Available Interstitial

Kenyon Martin, Trina's Lips

Not Available Interstitial

Matt Barnes, And1 Logo

Not Available Interstitial

LeBron James, Chosen-1

Not Available Interstitial

Luke Walton, Little Wheats

Not Available Interstitial

Wilson Chandler, "Unstoppable" with Juggernaut Comic Character

Not Available Interstitial

Deron Williams, "No Guts, No Glory"

Not Available Interstitial

Gilbert Arenas, Tiger

Not Available Interstitial

Mike Scott, Emojis

Not Available Interstitial

Latest in Sports