- Damon Jones’ grateful response to LeBron James naming him one of the best shooters he’s ever played with
- Report: Rajon Rondo allegedly threatened to kill his former partner and pulled a gun on her
- Report: J.B. Bickerstaff and Koby Altman have discussed a potential change to the Cavs coaching staff
- Cavs insider indicates Rich Paul is expected to pursue extension in $180M range for Darius Garland
- Dan Gilbert’s confident statement regarding Koby Altman after he misses out on Executive of the Year
- Report: Kyrie Irving wanted LeBron James-like control with Brooklyn Nets
- Here’s how close Cavs exec Koby Altman came to winning Executive of the Year honors
- Darius Garland explains why it hurt so much that the Cavs didn’t make the playoffs this season
- Video: Kyrie Irving lashes out during GTA Twitch stream, calls other players ‘cockroaches’
- Report: 2 former Cavs big men open to returning to franchise
NBA tells J.R. Smith to cover up particular tattoo during games, Smith responds angrily
- Updated: September 29, 2018

One of the most recognizable things about Cleveland Cavaliers veteran guard J.R. Smith are the many tattoos on his body.
However, after the NBA indicated that he’ll be subject to fines if he fails to cover up a particular tattoo on his leg, he went to social media to offer a blunt and profane rebuttal.
Below is the tattoo in question:
JR Smith says the NBA will fine him every game he doesn’t cover his Supreme leg tattoo pic.twitter.com/juUVCK2PwH
— Master (@MasterTes) September 29, 2018
Smith got the tattoo during the offseason, with the league edict being announced during the first week of the Cavaliers’ training camp. The team’s brief exhibition season begins on Tuesday night in Boston, with the first regular season game scheduled in Toronto on Oct. 17.
The reason why the league issued its proclamation is financially based, since it has an apparel contract with Nike, while Supreme serves as one of that massive corporation’s competitors. With regard to the fine, there’s currently no indication how much the league plans on fining the 33-year-old veteran for each game the tattoo is uncovered.
However, one report suggests that Smith will eventually speak with the league:
Sources on @TheAthleticNBA @WatchStadium: NBA informed Cleveland's J.R. Smith he would be fined per game during season for "Supreme" tattoo on his leg, unless it is covered, and Smith plans to have conversations with league about situation.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 29, 2018
After the Cavaliers captured the 2016 NBA title with a stirring 3-1 comeback in the Finals, Smith was seen in multiple celebrations over the next week shirtless. That display of tattoos was enough for a shirt soon to be made to look like Smith’s tattoo-laden upper body.
Smith has the type of contract that figures to allow him to pay off any fines, considering he’s scheduled to make $14.7 million during the 2018-19 season. Still, it seems more likely that Smith will eventually acquiesce to the league’s demand over what amounts to a minor issue.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login