Ink Stains

Tattoos are definitely more prevalent on the court than they were 10 years ago. There seems to be a clear generational divide when it comes to “Ink.” Propelled by the MTV culture, young whYballers have definitely taken the opportunity to emulate their idols by adorning a myriad of emblems and symbols while some of the older players elect to stay ink free. The reasons vary from player to player.

My name has too many letters to put on my knuckles I think, but I was still excited by the prospect of having a permanent misspelling somewhere on my body,” explained an anonymous player. “It was a good way to commemorate a brief stay in jail,” said another who was sporting a skeleton key and handcuff design. “It reminds me of why I am who I am, and why am not who I was, see?” That is a compelling argument to be sure. Still another player has opted for some of his favorite death metal lyrics inscribed under one arm pit. “It sums up my belief in the under world, and my trials and tribulations as a 3-point shooter. And chicks really dig it too.” Perhaps that is even a better reason to make that statement a permanent one.

There may be a degree of regret for some who are disappointed by past artistic efforts, but it is just something that they learn to live with, as was the case of Maury.

"I probably should have gone to a shop, but I was a little baked and I really didn’t think it would be that hard to do my own tattoo, and to make my navel look like a hoop with a ball going through. It was all my bad, but Emilio did a great save by just turning it into Saturn, and I’m even more down with the new design now that the infection is clearing.”

Older players seem more reluctant to sport tattoos. Sometimes it is their professional well being that holds them back. “I thought about doing something, but was nervous about how loose skin and wrinkles would affect an image of my mother,” said a local attorney. “I didn’t want to do a commemorative portrait and have it slowly turn into a drooping peasant woman. She can get pretty upset, and personal litigation against me would not go over big at the firm.” Other professionals are more fearless. One anonymous banker put it this way, “The decision to get the Surfing Sponge Bob is just a reflection of my wild side and I don’t really care how the establishment wants to interpret that. Besides, the only time anyone sees it is when I get a complete physical, and that is pretty rare.”

There you have it; the pros and cons of whYball ink.

Shouts From The Bench

• Shoot till the feeling goes away.
• That's dirty ball.
• Incoming!
• I feel a shot comin' on.
• Foot's on the line.
• I'll shut his ass right down.
• Should be started.
• Put your skins on.
• Way to hussle back on offense.
• He didn't do that to me!
• "Sub!"
• you have teammates, son.