There is nothing more hardcore when it comes to being a fan than getting an NBA player’s face tattooed on your body for life.
Personally, it’s not really my thing, but always find it interesting to look at different ink work others have got done. Some of these are pretty incredibly, especially from an attention to detail standpoint, but some, are just downright awful.
We’ve trawled the internet and put together 34 different tributes of NBA players tattooed on fans’ bodies.
1) Gary Payton Tattoo
The Glove immortalised in ink.
Source: DimeMag.com
2) James Harden Tattoo
A surprise choice, but the beard looks magnificent.
Source: DimeMag.com
3) Michael Jordan & Dennis Rodman Tattoo
The detail/shading on this is pretty epic.
Source: DimeMag.com
4) Matt Bonner Tattoo
Source: DimeMag.com
4) Matt Bonner Tattoo
Wow. Just wow.
Source: DimeMag.com
5) Allen Iverson & Julius Erving Tattoo
Two Philadelphia 76ers legends go down in history.
Source: crabdribbles.com
6) Wilt Chamberlain Tattoo
The highest scoring game in NBA history in tattoo format.
Source: Philadelphia CBS Local
7) Kobe Bryant Leg Tattoo
I would’ve bet money on the fact Kobe Bryant would’ve had a few fan tattoos.
Source: CBSSports.com
8) LeBron James Leg Tattoo
I think the nose might be a little too big?
Source: Basketball-n-ent.com
9) Shaq Leg Tattoo
This is pretty on point in terms of actually looking like Shaq. But getting it tattooed on you? Not so sure.
Source: The Basketball Jones
10) Charles Barkley Kissing Dick Bavetta Tattoo
NBA legend and TNT commentator Shaquille O’Neal joked that he would pay $1,000 to anyone who got a tattoo commemorating the famous kiss between Charles Barkley and Dick Bavetta. The Hall of Fame forward and NBA official puckered up after a footrace at 2007 NBA All-Star Weekend.
Well, this fan took him up on the challenged. Oh lord.
11) Kobe Bryant Upper Arm Tattoo
Another Kobe tattoo on a very skinny arm.
Source: Celebritytattoodesign.com
12) LeBron James Chest Tattoo
LBJ representin’ on someone’s chest.
Source: tattooset.com
13) Kobe Bryant Shoulder Tattoo
And yet another Kobe tattoo – detail on this one is pretty nuts.
Source: celebritytattoodesign.com
15) Joakim Noah Thigh Tattoo
Interesting place to put Joakim.
Source: realgm.com
16) Scottie Pippen Tattoo
An aged Scottie Pippen in tattoo form.
Source: realgm.com
17) Toni Kukoc Tattoo
This is on the same guy who has the above Scottie Pippen one.
Source: realgm.com
18) Drazen Petrovic Tattoo
Tribute to a rising NBA star that was gone too soon.
Source: Sobart.net
19) Stephon Marbury Tattoo
This was on a crazy Chinese fan.
Source: larrybrownsports.com
20) Dirk Nowitzki Tattoo
Dirk on a booty.
Source: Yahoo
21) Magic Johnson Tattoo
Scarily similar.
Source: Inkedmag.com
22) Good Larry Bird Tattoo
Nice shading and detail on this one.
Source: theawesomeboston.com
23) Bad Larry Bird Tattoo
Not sure about this one though…
Source: hoopeduponline.com
24) David Robinson Tattoo
San Antonio Spurs legend David Robinson.
Source: about.com
25) Patrick Ewing Calf Tattoo
Tattoo to match the sneakers.
Source: nextimpulseports.com
26) Nate Robinson Shoulder Tattoo
I think he tried to do this one on the cheap…
Source: Yahoo Sports
27) Tracy McGrady Tattoo
T-Mac on the shoulder.
Source: Complex.com
28) Jr Smith Tattoo
JR Smith’s brother, Chris Smith, has a tattoo of his older bro.
Source: nextimpulsesports.com
29) Michael Jordan Portrait Tattoo
Ok it turned out there were just far too many of Michael Jordan, so we made a whole separate post dedicated to Michael Jordan tattoos.
Source: Epicfail.com
30) Charlie Villanueva Upper Arm Tattoo
Another interesting choice of player…
Source: MTV
31) Yao Ming Calf Tattoo
At least Yao is happy…
Source: MTV
32) Jerry West Tattoo
‘The Logo’ but not as a logo.
Source: MTV
33) Jason Williams Tattoo
J-Will not looking too much like J-Will in his Sacramento days.
Source: MTV
34) Another Bad Larry Bird Tattoo
Is it an old lady or is it Larry Bird?
Source: MTV