LeBron James, widely regarded as one of the best basketball players of all time, is not only a master of the game but also a blank canvas for personal expression. LeBron James’ complex tattoos tell a story that goes beyond basketball. Each tattoo on his body conveys a different tale about his background, family, fans, and personal views.

With more than 20 tattoos already on his body, James recently got another tattoo. This tattoo can be decoded even by a toddler, as it is a crown. As this crown signifies his position in the game and his nickname, King James.

LeBron James shows off his new crown

Tattooing your body is a really big commitment and an intricate process that involves a lot of pain and patience. Because a tattoo is permanent, it must be significant; else, it may alter how others view you in real life. However, the 4x MVP is a fan of the art form and has about 24 tattoos on his body. Each of his tattoos tells a different story about his life and has a deep resemblance to his life experiences.

James has a Lion with a crown on his right bicep. This tattoo combines James’s love of lions and his self-proclaimed reputation as the “King“. A crowned lion with the letters ‘King’ above it and ‘James’ below it gently underlines his royalty, indicating his supremacy both on and off the court. On his upper back, he has tattooed the words, Chosen 1. The ‘Chosen 1’ tattoo is a tribute to LeBron’s early success in the realm of basketball. During his freshman year, Sports Illustrated named him “the Chosen One,” and this tattoo recalls that important milestone in his career.

Recently, James posted a clip on social media about getting a new tattoo. LeBron James got a crown tattoo as a unique tribute to the great artist Jean-Michel Basquiat. The crown was a common theme in Basquiat’s paintings. It denotes power, monarchy, and societal criticism, and this gesture indicates Basquiat’s impact on James.

James’s tattoo is a potent mix of modern sports culture and the art world. And with this tattoo, he is paying homage to Basquiat’s legacy in a meaningful and personal way. But this is not the only tattoo through which James is paying respect to another individual he respects – Kobe Bryant!

LeBron James’s eternal tribute to the late Kobe Bryant

The tie between LeBron James and Kobe Bryant was deeper than that of NBA peers. They established it over years of competitiveness, respect, and friendship. They shared the court as Team USA teammates and as Los Angeles Lakers teammates, forming a special bond.

Unfortunately, James had overtaken Kobe for third place on the all-time NBA scoring record the day before his tragic death. This was a monumental accomplishment that prompted felicitations from Kobe himself on Twitter. Bryant’s final tweet congratulated James on his success and commitment to “moving the game forward.”

LeBron’s homage to Kobe was more than words could express. He inked a tattoo of their friendship on his left leg. The tattoo depicts a coiled black mamba snake encircled by the numerals 24 and 8, which are Kobe’s famous jersey numbers. This tattoo serves as a lasting reminder of their fraternal bond and James’ determination to carry on Kobe’s legacy both on and off the court.

LeBron’s tattoo is the ultimate homage to a cherished friend and basketball star, guaranteeing that Kobe Bryant’s memory will live on.