When you watch Malik Monk play for the Los Angeles Lakers, there is a fairly obvious comparison that comes to mind whenever he takes the floor.
Monk is a score-first gunner and a flashy player most useful as a high-volume offensive threat in the second unit. Although he isn’t exactly much of a passer or defender, his ability to heat up fast as a scorer makes it worth dealing with his inefficiencies and inconsistencies.
It feels awfully similar to how many would describe former Lakers wing, Nick Young, who is perhaps more famously known by his nickname, Swaggy P. As it turns out, Monk told reporters that he actually was inspired by Young.
Monk, however, didn’t mention anything about their similar playing styles.
Malik Monk said he was 17 when he heard Nick Young said he only got tattoos on his left arm because his right arm, featuring his shooting hand, was “strictly for buckets,” and so Monk started doing the same thing. He almost has a full sleeve on his L arm but his R is off limits
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) January 3, 2022
The 23-year-old, who is already in his fifth season in the league, explained to reporters that he was actually inspired by Young’s tattoos.
During his time in the NBA, Young said that he only had tattoos on his left arm because his right arm was “strictly for buckets” and that resonated with Monk. The former Kentucky standout has tattoos covering his left arm but he doesn’t have any on his right arm.
Back in 2017, my colleague Andrew Joseph wrote an excellent feature on Monk. Here is what he said about Monk’s ink and body art:
Malik initially planned on getting one tattoo. He didn’t like the pain, but those plans quickly changed because, as Marcus insisted, “They’re addictive.” His tattoos tell the story of the people and place that made him who he is – his family and Lepanto. That is where Marcus, who is 12 years older than Malik, grew up before becoming a star wide receiver at Arkansas and a two-sport professional athlete.
Monk has scored at least 18 points in four of the last five games for the Lakers. He has started just six games for Los Angeles so far this season, however, his team has won four of those games.
Who knows whether his success has anything to do with the fact that his right arm is too sacred for ink? However, he’s playing well of late, and that alone is reason enough for fans of the Lakers to get excited.
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