On the Eve of the NBA All-Star Game, Phoenix Suns Players Show Off Their Tattoo Canvases

"We were talking the other day about how many players, percentage-wise, have tattoos," Lou Amundson says. "I think it's like 60 or 70 percent."

So some players might have to be cut because of their tats, he says, possibly even star players.

Jamie Peachey

Matt Barnes has so many tattoos that he's lost count.

Jamie Peachey

Amar'e Stoudemire's right arm reads "Knowledge is Power," among other things.

Jamie Peachey

Suns reserve forward Lou Amundson's tattoo is a tribute to a late friend.

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• Shaquille O'Neal
• Phoenix Suns
• NBA Pacific
• Tattooing and Body Modification
• NBA Finals

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As for accepting offers from corporations to tattoo logos on themselves, the players (with the exception of Stephon Marbury, who has the Starbury shoe logo on his head) aren't exactly getting behind that, either. Amundson says, "It's kind of like selling out."

Tattoo-less Suns reserve Alando Tucker restates his "only thugs have tattoos" mantra, adding that "Starbury's a company thug."

Besides, many tattooed players (at least on the Suns) consider their tats personal and meaningful. They consider any kind of corporate control — including an NBA tattoo cap — contrary to the culture of today's game.

Matt Barnes, who says his tattoos "express what inspires me," points out, "If you look around the NBA, almost everybody has some kind of work.

"Tattoos are our generation."