Here's what NBA players looked like before they were covered in tattoos

Tattoos are pretty popular in the NBA. Lots of players have them, and several of them have tattoos covering their arms and chests.

But even the guys who are covered, like "Birdman" and J.R. Smith, were once clean slates.

Some of the NBA players who now have the most tats looked like completely different people early in their careers.

NOW: Chris "Birdman" Andersen

Getty Images

Andersen in 2003.

Brian Bahr/Getty Images

NOW: J.R. Smith

Jason Miller/Getty Images

Smith in 2004.

Robert Laberge/Getty Images

NOW: Carmelo Anthony

Jamie McDonald/Getty Images

Anthony in 2003.

Craig Jones/Getty Images

NOW: Iman Shumpert

Jason Miller/Getty Images

Shumpert in 2009.

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

NOW: LeBron James

YouTube/Beats by Dre

James in 2003.

Getty Images

NOW: Monta Ellis

Maddie Meyer/Getty Images

Ellis in 2007.

Brian Bahr/Getty Images

NOW: Jamal Crawford

Zhong Zhi/Getty Images

Crawford in 2001.

Otto Gruele Jr./Getty

NOW: Wilson Chandler

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

Chandler in 2006.

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

NOW: DeMarcus Cousins

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Cousins in 2009.

Ned Dishman/Getty

NOW: LaMarcus Aldridge

Eric Gay/AP

Aldridge in 2006.

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

NOW: Matt Barnes

Rich Pedroncelli/AP

Barnes in 2002.

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

NOW: Brandon Jennings

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

Jennings in 2008.

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

NOW: DeAndre Jordan

Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images

Jordan in 2007.

Paul Zoeller/AP

BONUS: Can you tell who this former player is? This photo is from 1988.

Rick Stewart/Getty Images

Yup, it's Dennis Rodman.

Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images

Now check out the highest-paid players in the league: The NBA's 25 highest-paid players

Related: See some of the best and downright craziest sports fan tattoos:

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