J.R. Smith sat down in the back of a car while, Vice asked him questions for a "Ride Along" segment recently. One of the many topics that the Cavaliers guard touched on was his very first tattoo (you may have noticed that he has more than one at this point), and he revealed that there's a backstory that's classic J.R.
Smith got inked for the first time at 16. His mom drove him to the tattoo parlor—she was apparently much different than Carmelo Anthony's mom—and waited while he got a tattoo that showed him dunking. Except that, er, it wasn't actually him dunking.
"It's a picture of me dunking," he told Vice. "Well, it was a picture of Vince Carter dunking, and I just changed the number and put my name on the back."
Welp. That was the best idea Smith could come up with? Fortunately, the tattoo is now hidden among a sea of other tattoos. See if you can find it on Smith's Where's Waldo? of a body (Hint: Check his right shoulder):
Smith also revealed that, growing up, he always thought people with tons of tattoos looked "ridiculous." That's your cue to take another glance at the photos, above.
In addition to discussing his 180 on body branding, Smith told Vice about Lil Wayne, playing in China, and signing with the Knicks in 2012, which he called the "greatest decision I ever made." When the team dealt him to the Cavaliers last year, Smith said he was "pissed" because he could no longer play with Carmelo Anthony (who he refers to as his "best friend"). Considering where each squad is at now, it stands to reason that the trade was a blessing in disguise.
Check out the clip, above, to watch Smith's "Ride Along" appearance. There's never a dull moment with this guy.
