Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Malik Monk has a specific strategy when it comes to tattoo sleeves — and it’s borrowed from Nick Young.
Malik Monk is only 23 years old, but he’s quickly building a name for himself in the NBA as a former first-round pick and a Los Angeles Laker.
But during that time, he’s also been building something else: his tattoo repertoire.
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The tattoos are only on his left arm, of course — his right arm is reserved for shooting, à la Nick Young.
Monk was quick to clarify that this is the only life advice he’s taken from Swaggy P, who also made a name for himself in Los Angeles as a Clipper and Laker.
Malik Monk confirms that he borrowed his tattoo strategy from Nick Young
Young’s tattoo policy was rather short-lived: he made headlines for it in 2014, but by 2015, he already had a Tupac tribute gracing his right forearm.
It seems that Swaggy P’s mentality was more about optics than proven superstition. In the 2014-15 season, Young saw a field goal percentage of 36.6 percent, a career-low at the time.
Meanwhile, Monk’s field goal percentages have only grown with his career and tattoo collection. Monk opened his rookie season with a 36 percent field goal percentage. A few months into his fifth season, Monk currently has a 47.4 field goal percentage.
Overall, Monk has vastly improved during his short NBA career adhering to Young’s artistic advice. Whether or not keeping his shooting arm free and clear of ink works, Monk is certainly improving as he masters his craft.
It doesn’t just work for basketball, either: turns out Monk’s right arm doubles as a football cannon with pinpoint accuracy.