A black-and-white photo of a person mid-air in a Superman-style body suspension pose, supported by multiple hooks in their back and legs, smiling joyfully toward the camera. They are suspended horizontally in a large indoor space with high ceilings and visible rigging. A group of onlookers—some seated, some standing—watch with expressions of admiration, amusement, and support. The atmosphere is lively and communal, capturing a moment of shared experience and transformation.

The NBA Is Destroying America, Again, With Tattoos

Hey everybody, it’s the NBA playoffs! You know what that means, right? You guessed it: idiotic columns from hateful jerk-offs about how tattoos are ruining the NBA! This time around, we’ve got Kyle McNary of the Minneapolis Sports Examiner waxing moronic. Does this horseshit warrant an FJM-style takedown? Oh, hell yes.

It sounds superficial. It probably is superficial. But, watching the NBA has become almost a chore for me, not because the talent is diluted and the art of great passing is all but gone, though it most certainly is, but because more than three quarters of NBA players have ugly tattoos.

I’m going to make a wild assumption here and guess that McNary hasn’t actually been an NBA fan in quite some time. He thinks the quality of game-play has declined, but that’s not why it’s a “chore” for him to watch—it’s because of the tattoos! This is akin to saying you have trouble watching NASCAR because of all the stickers on the cars, or that the San Diego Padres are unwatchable when they’re wearing those hideous camouflage jerseys. (When, in fact, both NASCAR and the Padres are unwatchable for entirely different reasons.) (Because they are both terrible, you see.)

Yes, I’m prejudiced against people with tattoos. I think they made a big mistake, I question their decision-making skills, and I think they probably lack in self esteem.

This sort of silly screed almost always retreats to this argument—that tattoos are absolutely a sign of lacking self-esteem. This has become the “terrorists hate us for our freedom” of the anti-tattoo crowd.

I think a small tattoo on a sailor’s forearm is okay, but more than a silver dollar size is too much. I think they make women look trashy, hence the word “tramp stamp,” though Beyonce could have her whole body tattooed and she’s (sic) still be gorgeous. I guess I just don’t get it.

Hey, all you men and women in the Navy, listen up. Kyle McNary thinks it’s just fine and dandy to get a small anchor or a single pair of breasts tattooed on your forearm, but anything more than that is probably a sign of a mind so wrought with self-image issues that you are unfit to serve the nation. He is correct. Beyonce, however, may cover herself in all the shitty tattoos she pleases, and Mr. McNary will be happy to continue to pleasure himself to her, because she would still be a strong and confident woman.

Evidently, when McNary says he doesn’t “get it,” “it” refers to “how to construct a meaningful and consistent argument.”

I’ve been watching the conference finals the past week, and the games have been pretty exciting.

Even though the NBA sucks now, right?

Not many people would have guessed that the Orlando Magic would be a Lebron three-pointer away from leading three games to none. But….I can’t get past these tattoos.

There are two players, one in each series, who must have OCTD–Obsessive Compulsive Tattoo Disorder.

One of the many dreaded side-effects of low self-esteem, naturally. TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR ABOUT OCTD!

On the Cleveland Cavaliers, Delonte West looks like he belongs in a circus. After filling up both arms, West actually walked into a tattoo parlor and said, “stick some needles in my neck.” It’s hard to tell where one ends and another starts, but he has at least a dozen tattoos, and looks like a moron. Sorry, but he does.

You know, Delonte West and I very rarely hang out, so I can’t say for certain, but…oh Christ, yes, I can say for certain that he did not actually walk into a tattoo parlor and say, “Stick some needles in my neck.” This is not the way people speak to each other. When you head to Olive Garden for your weekly pre-Idol free breadsticks, do you demand from your waiter, “HEY, CRAM SOME STARCHES IN MY FACE”?

In the West, the Denver Nuggets’ Chris Anderson is nicknamed “birdman,” supposedly because he can fly to the basket, and he flaps his arms after a big play. I actually think it’s a good nickname because he looks like a peacock.

Awesome. Nailed it. Great joke.

Basketball, when played right, can be a thing of beauty. But, the two-bit punk attitudes, tattoos and chest-beating has made a great sport look like a thug convention.

So, your problems with basketball currently include:

– Diluted talent pool
– Poor passing techniques
– Tattoos
– Punk attitudes
– Flashy play/“chest-beating”

So, you’re bothered by the quality of the athletes, the culture of the game and participants themselves…maybe, just maybe, you’ve outgrown the NBA? Seriously. There’s no shame in admitting that you and a former passion have moved in opposite directions as time has gone on. If the NBA offends you so much, why not stick to college ball, or the WNBA? Why punish yourself with continued patronage of a league with which you no longer feel a connection?

The Indiana Pacers’ Marquis Daniels had a tattoo of a man committing suicide (lovely), Gilbert Arenas has the words “change we believe in” on his fingers in honor of Barack Obama, Luke Walton has a tattoo in honor of the Grateful Dead, and Tim Duncan has a tattoo covering his chest in honor of the nerdy game Dungeons and Dragons. The most idiotic reason for getting a tattoo? Amare Stoudemire wins the award. The Sun’s star claims that “if I died right now, my kids could get to know me by my tats.” Uh, Amare, why don’t you just talk to your kids!

First of all, it’s truly wonderful that admist all your incessant jabbering about how tattoos are a sign of the thug culture that’s destroying the NBA, you reference Gilbert Arenas’s Obama tattoo, Tim Duncan’s Dungeons and Dragons tattoo and Luke Walton’s Grateful Dead tribute. THUGGISHNESS ABOUNDS.

Also, Amare’s kids are about two and three years old. They’re barely human beings at this point. Maybe he’s covered himself with symbols important enough to him that his kids could maybe glean some insight into the man’s life once they’re able to, you know, speak and remember things?

Nah, you’re right. He’s probably just some absentee fuck-up covered with “gang tatz.” You goddamn clown.

Comments

94 responses to “The NBA Is Destroying America, Again, With Tattoos”

  1. Laurel Avatar

    I just love the ending of your commentary: “You goddamn clown” haha short and to the point. Lovely!

    And really…I get so tired of these articles I can’t even muster up the energy to do anything but raise an eyebrow in amusement. Guys like this are a dime a dozen and soooo boring to listen to after a bit. They get so offended about stupid things that it’s just hilarious!

  2. Laurel Avatar

    I just love the ending of your commentary: “You goddamn clown” haha short and to the point. Lovely!

    And really…I get so tired of these articles I can’t even muster up the energy to do anything but raise an eyebrow in amusement. Guys like this are a dime a dozen and soooo boring to listen to after a bit. They get so offended about stupid things that it’s just hilarious!

  3. kier Avatar

    I, too, find it necessary to mention “HEY, CRAM SOME STARCHES IN MY FACE!”

    🙂 modblog is the best.

  4. kier Avatar

    I, too, find it necessary to mention “HEY, CRAM SOME STARCHES IN MY FACE!”

    🙂 modblog is the best.

  5. Almaxaquotal Avatar

    lol because the way Beyonce flounces around in skimpy outfits gyrating in her music videos is so 110% class that EVEN A TATTOO could not mar her XD

  6. Almaxaquotal Avatar

    lol because the way Beyonce flounces around in skimpy outfits gyrating in her music videos is so 110% class that EVEN A TATTOO could not mar her XD

  7. lespaul Avatar
    lespaul

    what a douche, cant even write very well.

  8. lespaul Avatar
    lespaul

    what a douche, cant even write very well.

  9. ZachC Avatar
    ZachC

    I agree with number 2. Most normal people would watch basketball to watch the game not stare at the players’ tattoos and judge them by that. As you said about the UFC yeah some of them do have craptacular tattoos some have amazing works of art on their body. So many people judge the tattoos before they realize what it truely stands for to the person wearing it. My first tattoo was a cross for my grandfather who was one of my biggest heroes and the person that shaped me most into who I am today, i wanted something other than a damn rock with his name on it to remember him by. This is a memeorial for me, not anyone else, ME to remember him. If other people don’t like it fuck them, I don’t care if I’m close-minded because hey, they are too.

  10. ZachC Avatar
    ZachC

    I agree with number 2. Most normal people would watch basketball to watch the game not stare at the players’ tattoos and judge them by that. As you said about the UFC yeah some of them do have craptacular tattoos some have amazing works of art on their body. So many people judge the tattoos before they realize what it truely stands for to the person wearing it. My first tattoo was a cross for my grandfather who was one of my biggest heroes and the person that shaped me most into who I am today, i wanted something other than a damn rock with his name on it to remember him by. This is a memeorial for me, not anyone else, ME to remember him. If other people don’t like it fuck them, I don’t care if I’m close-minded because hey, they are too.

  11. ZachC Avatar
    ZachC

    forgot to mention #24 made me giggle like a schoolgirl…….

  12. ZachC Avatar
    ZachC

    forgot to mention #24 made me giggle like a schoolgirl…….

  13. CutThroat Avatar

    “So, you’re bothered by the quality of the athletes, the culture of the game and participants themselves…maybe, just maybe, you’ve outgrown the NBA? Seriously. There’s no shame in admitting that you and a former passion have moved in opposite directions as time has gone on. If the NBA offends you so much, why not stick to college ball, or the WNBA? Why punish yourself with continued patronage of a league with which you no longer feel a connection?”

    That paragraph is a real winner.

  14. CutThroat Avatar

    “So, you’re bothered by the quality of the athletes, the culture of the game and participants themselves…maybe, just maybe, you’ve outgrown the NBA? Seriously. There’s no shame in admitting that you and a former passion have moved in opposite directions as time has gone on. If the NBA offends you so much, why not stick to college ball, or the WNBA? Why punish yourself with continued patronage of a league with which you no longer feel a connection?”

    That paragraph is a real winner.

  15. natalie Avatar
    natalie

    jordan, you’ve truly outdone yourself once again.

  16. natalie Avatar
    natalie

    jordan, you’ve truly outdone yourself once again.

  17. Cat Avatar
    Cat

    Oh, now I’m sad to be from Minneapolis, but wow, this is an amusing article <3

  18. Cat Avatar
    Cat

    Oh, now I’m sad to be from Minneapolis, but wow, this is an amusing article <3

  19. reggie Avatar
    reggie

    I’m not condoning violence, but I have to wonder if a certain columnist isn’t going to be visited by several large tall athletic men (and women) who are very angry. Seems fitting.

  20. reggie Avatar
    reggie

    I’m not condoning violence, but I have to wonder if a certain columnist isn’t going to be visited by several large tall athletic men (and women) who are very angry. Seems fitting.

  21. Formerly known as IAM :KB Avatar
    Formerly known as IAM :KB

    Jordan you have to admit the work done on the players is beyond sub-par you would think with all the money they have they would get the best work done..

    The author of the story above is probably some talentless kid who never made his hometown basketball team so all he does is hate on those whom excel at it.

  22. Formerly known as IAM :KB Avatar
    Formerly known as IAM :KB

    Jordan you have to admit the work done on the players is beyond sub-par you would think with all the money they have they would get the best work done..

    The author of the story above is probably some talentless kid who never made his hometown basketball team so all he does is hate on those whom excel at it.

  23. Banana Bread Avatar

    I love how he contradicts himself by saying he doesn’t “get” tattoos, that they make women look trashy, but that Beyonce could have as many as she wants. What was the point of that sentence? Contradicting himself??

    Sure some people that get tattoos might have low self esteem, but to say ALL people with tattoos have low self esteem is a ridiculous generalization. That makes about as much sense as saying that all people who watch the NBA are morons.

    Jordan – nice Olive Garden reference; made me smile 🙂 Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go flood my throat with fruit juice.

  24. Banana Bread Avatar

    I love how he contradicts himself by saying he doesn’t “get” tattoos, that they make women look trashy, but that Beyonce could have as many as she wants. What was the point of that sentence? Contradicting himself??

    Sure some people that get tattoos might have low self esteem, but to say ALL people with tattoos have low self esteem is a ridiculous generalization. That makes about as much sense as saying that all people who watch the NBA are morons.

    Jordan – nice Olive Garden reference; made me smile 🙂 Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go flood my throat with fruit juice.

  25. Prism Avatar
    Prism

    Ahahaha. An absolutely hilarious bash to an equally hilariously moronic article. Well done, Jordan… and yeah.. D&D is about as un-thug as it gets.

  26. Prism Avatar
    Prism

    Ahahaha. An absolutely hilarious bash to an equally hilariously moronic article. Well done, Jordan… and yeah.. D&D is about as un-thug as it gets.

  27. ara Avatar

    ^ Unless you play chaotic evil?

  28. ara Avatar

    ^ Unless you play chaotic evil?

  29. She Dreams of Ink Avatar
    She Dreams of Ink

    Alright, well, all I can say is that the Cleveland Cavs are my hometown team (I’m from a suburb of Cleveland) so I’m definitely not hating on the Cavs, BUT the author of that article does make a point that West’s tattoos are absolutely God-awful and horribly placed. There’s no flow at all, and most of them look like garbage. As a tattoo lover, I almost take offense to his public display of such awful work, simply because it perpetuates the stereotype that tattoos are trashy and hastily executed. I don’t agree with the way that the author approaches all tattoos/tattoo enthusiasts based on what he sees in the NBA, but we can’t fault him for stating the obvious when it comes to some of the lackluster work we see at game time. Superstar athletes should have the best work around, since they have the disposable income to go visit the best of the best tattoo artists in the U.S., hell, even in the whole world.

  30. She Dreams of Ink Avatar
    She Dreams of Ink

    Alright, well, all I can say is that the Cleveland Cavs are my hometown team (I’m from a suburb of Cleveland) so I’m definitely not hating on the Cavs, BUT the author of that article does make a point that West’s tattoos are absolutely God-awful and horribly placed. There’s no flow at all, and most of them look like garbage. As a tattoo lover, I almost take offense to his public display of such awful work, simply because it perpetuates the stereotype that tattoos are trashy and hastily executed. I don’t agree with the way that the author approaches all tattoos/tattoo enthusiasts based on what he sees in the NBA, but we can’t fault him for stating the obvious when it comes to some of the lackluster work we see at game time. Superstar athletes should have the best work around, since they have the disposable income to go visit the best of the best tattoo artists in the U.S., hell, even in the whole world.

  31. Kristie Avatar

    soooooooooooooo

    I work at tribe tattoo in denver, colorado, and the owner of our shop is John Slaughter, who tattoos Chris Anderson of the Nuggets. I would just like to point out (not that that douchebag will actually read this) That TNT, Altitude Sports Network, Channel 9 and Fox 31 as well as KOA radio have been here to do stories/ specials on both John and Chris. As a matter of fact non of us can get any damn work done around here cause theres a different channel here every other day taking over the whole shop with their cameras and microphones. So apparently that guy is pretty much the only cock sucker in the country who had a problem with it, so I kindly say go fuck yourself sir.

  32. Kristie Avatar

    soooooooooooooo

    I work at tribe tattoo in denver, colorado, and the owner of our shop is John Slaughter, who tattoos Chris Anderson of the Nuggets. I would just like to point out (not that that douchebag will actually read this) That TNT, Altitude Sports Network, Channel 9 and Fox 31 as well as KOA radio have been here to do stories/ specials on both John and Chris. As a matter of fact non of us can get any damn work done around here cause theres a different channel here every other day taking over the whole shop with their cameras and microphones. So apparently that guy is pretty much the only cock sucker in the country who had a problem with it, so I kindly say go fuck yourself sir.

  33. Zack Avatar
    Zack

    ignorence frustrates me…

  34. Zack Avatar
    Zack

    ignorence frustrates me…

  35. Matt Avatar

    what a moron. Tattoos are pretty much a form of art. who cares if professional athletes have tattoos, how does it make it look thuggish? And how does this guy still have a job? Writing a sports column during the conference finals about tattoos, this guy needs to lay down the pipe.

  36. Matt Avatar

    what a moron. Tattoos are pretty much a form of art. who cares if professional athletes have tattoos, how does it make it look thuggish? And how does this guy still have a job? Writing a sports column during the conference finals about tattoos, this guy needs to lay down the pipe.

  37. Paula Avatar
    Paula

    “HEY, CRAM SOME STARCHES IN MY FACE”… hoooooo that will be one of my main phrases this month as i’ve dropped meat.

    Anyways, yeah, as soon as I read the Beyonce sentence, I did the whole face-palm thing. She’s obviously a severely confident woman and he still loves her… he doesn’t get that people get inked for so many various reasons.

    but yeah. Good article. I’m diggin all of your comebacks.

  38. Paula Avatar
    Paula

    “HEY, CRAM SOME STARCHES IN MY FACE”… hoooooo that will be one of my main phrases this month as i’ve dropped meat.

    Anyways, yeah, as soon as I read the Beyonce sentence, I did the whole face-palm thing. She’s obviously a severely confident woman and he still loves her… he doesn’t get that people get inked for so many various reasons.

    but yeah. Good article. I’m diggin all of your comebacks.

  39. Sam Rose Avatar
    Sam Rose

    Same kind of close mindedness I had working for Telstra.

    I would hit my targets every month, make excellent rapport with my customers and yet the first thing the regional managers when they *ahem* fell off their high horse was to close in on my piercings.

    Maybe if they focused on their customer service and their two bit politically correct filipino call centre workers (not racist, but come on they could at least let them attempt some form of personality) and less on what their employees looked like their customers wouldn’t hate them so much.

  40. Sam Rose Avatar
    Sam Rose

    Same kind of close mindedness I had working for Telstra.

    I would hit my targets every month, make excellent rapport with my customers and yet the first thing the regional managers when they *ahem* fell off their high horse was to close in on my piercings.

    Maybe if they focused on their customer service and their two bit politically correct filipino call centre workers (not racist, but come on they could at least let them attempt some form of personality) and less on what their employees looked like their customers wouldn’t hate them so much.

  41. Karina Avatar
    Karina

    You know, it’s ppl with closed-minded attitudes like this that ruin sports for the rest of us.
    WHO CARES about the players’ tats? If we accepted Rodman with his eccentricites because he was a great player, why the hell can’t we accept others with their artwork? This stuff annoys the piss out of me.
    To ball players: get tatts, pierce your chest, dye your hair… I don’t care. Just do what you do and be fantastic at it.
    So I say to the extreme sports purists and “conservatives”… UNCLENCH! Let that pole slide right out, and let me watch my basketball in peace.

  42. Karina Avatar
    Karina

    You know, it’s ppl with closed-minded attitudes like this that ruin sports for the rest of us.
    WHO CARES about the players’ tats? If we accepted Rodman with his eccentricites because he was a great player, why the hell can’t we accept others with their artwork? This stuff annoys the piss out of me.
    To ball players: get tatts, pierce your chest, dye your hair… I don’t care. Just do what you do and be fantastic at it.
    So I say to the extreme sports purists and “conservatives”… UNCLENCH! Let that pole slide right out, and let me watch my basketball in peace.

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