Image via Complex Original
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
What 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.
Chris Bosh, Back
This is a common misconception, it's actually a birthmark.
Shawn Marion, Demon Bird Mothballs
Apparently "Demon Bird Moth Balls" is the literal translation of Marion's tattoo on his right leg (which he reportedly wanted to say "The Matrix" who knew tattoo artists hadn't mastered Chinese?). It could be worse, Shawn, at least it doesn't say "I Eat Kitten Penises."
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: M.J. needs to cut this man a check.
Mike Bibby, Ball and Hoop
Some of these tattoos contain deep personal moments, so we're afraid to make fun but this Bibby tat seems like he just couldn't think of anything else. "I play basketball...so how 'bout a basketball hoop?"
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. Or maybe he has (II)...any groupies out there that can vouch? This isn't proper behavior for a future congressman of China.
Delonte West, "G-Code" Barcode
We already told you Delonte West is a crazy guy. So, this tattoo should come as no surprise. Respect the G-Code, whoadie?
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?!
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 in 2011 because of it. That or Tony Parker was smashing his teammate's wife, again.
Dennis Rodman, Bulls on Chest
We'd bet those titty Bulls made a lot less sense when he was on the Lakers or the Mavericks. Our apologies to 'the Worm' if those tats came post-career. He's still got some room on that bod for a Kim Jong Un tribute.
J.R. Smith, Everything
According to Chris Broussard's "sources," Rihanna's name is somewhere on there.
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, shouldn't one of the skeletons have double-dribbled, knocked it off their foot or something? #keepit100
Solomon Jones, Florida
Two options for how this Florida/alligator combo found its way on skin: The first is that it could have some sort of deep personal meaning behind it. The other is he was absolutely shitfaced when he got it. We'll go with the latter.
Kevin Durant, Everything
We used to think KD was without a tattoo because his arms were clean. And then after seeing his torso (both front and back) we realized that his arms probably just couldn't hold tats because they were so skinny. #noshots #kdformvp
Derrick Rose, "Poohdini"
We blame all of Derrick Roses bad luck over the last two season on this terrible tattoo. "Poohdini?" FOH.
DeShawn Stevenson, No. 2
That headline could mean something completely different since for the most part his game is crap. But we're confused at what happens when he has a different number?
Robert Swift, Sleeves
Tattoos are hit or miss. Sometimes they make you look tough and sometimes they make you look like a guy that doesn't leave a foreclosed home. We'll let you decide which camp the former No. 12 overall pick is in.
Monta Ellis, Family Forrest
Monta took the meaning of family tree to a whole new level. Branches going through the nipples and all, kinda makes sense for a dude who wanted to be a rapper though. He's already got the Southern swag and tats, now someone get him one of those DJ Mustard beats, STAT!
Brad Miller, AND1
We already covered his Scrappy Doo tattoo but this AND1 logo isn't much better. Brad Miller, the perfect ambassador for streetball.
John Salmons and Jermaine O'Neal, "Person Who Sells Coffins"
According to our sources (Rosetta Stone, Level 1), these tattoos literally translate to "person who sells coffins." Maybe in China that's the most terrifying profession ever, but in the land of five dollar footlongs we have to look it up to figure it out.
Chris "Birdman" Andersen, "Free Bird" and More
Chris Andersen is pretty much the poster boy for NBA players with tattoos. If his colorful ink didn't break the peace with Stern, Adam Silver can't say a word.
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...
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.
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.
J.R. Smith, Young Money Logo
Before the New York Knicks years, JR was holding it down for Young Money during his days in Denver. At this point there can't be much room left to ink up on Swish's body.
Dominique Jones, Larry O'Brien Trophy
When he was a rookie with the Mavs, Jones 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...
LeBron James, "Loyalty"
What? You didn't know that ironic tattoos were the trend a few years back? OJ Da Juiceman got a "Best Rapper Alive" tat and Lindsay Lohan has a "D.A.R.E" one, too.
Robert Sacre, DMX and Snoop
We here at Complex have made our thoughts known on wearing another man's name on your back. Some agree, some don't, it's cool. But can we all admit getting another man tattooed on you is taking it too far?
Brandon Jennings, "Young Money"
OK, Brandon Jennings was only 21 years old and he did make over $2 million in 2010, but we know what this is all about. SMH, Weezy stans are the worst...
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. That's a sad sack of weed in the corner there too. A lot of sadness in this pic.
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...
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 was basically career suicide anyway.
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 "wearing your heart on your sleeve" saying.
Deron Williams, Panther
This is why you don't get big ass tattoos. When you over do it, it just looks like a massive ink splotch or a bruise after getting punched by the Incredible Hulk. How can you take someone seriously when they have the same tat as Cubana Lust?
Kenyon Martin, Trina's Lips
Though he thankfully changed it after the break-up, did Kenyon Martin unintentionally start a fad? Across the country fugazi 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?
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.
LeBron James, Chosen-1
This type of humility in such a great athlete is why we don't mind forking over a couple Benjamins for a game.
Luke Walton, Little Wheats
When you have a lame nickname you don't put it in stone. We don't see Larry Legend with "The Hick From French Lick" sprawled across his back. Let's forgive Luke, this was his second choice behind "Squandered Genetics" and his 'Dead Head' tat.
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.
Deron Williams, "No Guts, No Glory"
D-Will is no stranger to corny 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, or should we say coaches, to leave.
Good luck on finding the glory against Drake's lint roller, though.
Gilbert Arenas, Tiger
Agent 0 is an odd character, from his well-documented history of crazy moments to his 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 a few years ago.
Mike Scott, Emojis
How do you feel about this?