Chicago Bulls guard Alex Caruso has recently paid tribute to Kobe Bryant by getting a tattoo of the legendary Lakers player on his leg.
The tattoo, done in grey ink, captures the iconic image of Bryant sitting pensively in the Lakers locker room shower, clutching the Larry O’Brien trophy after winning the 2001 NBA Finals.
This particular photo is highly celebrated among NBA fans and players, especially those who grew up watching Bryant. It was taken after the Los Angeles Lakers secured their second consecutive NBA title by defeating the Philadelphia 76ers.
Unfortunately some fans found the tattoo second rate:
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In that 2001 Finals series, the Lakers triumphed over the 76ers with a 4-1 series win, with Shaquille O’Neal earning the Finals MVP for the second year in a row.
Bryant himself played a crucial role, averaging 24.6 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 5.8 assists over the five games. The Lakers continued their dominance by capturing a third consecutive title in 2002 after sweeping the New Jersey Nets.
While Caruso, now playing his third season with the Chicago Bulls, never shared the court with Bryant — joining the Lakers a year after Bryant’s retirement in 2016 — his new tattoo underscores a deep respect for the NBA great.
In his current season with the Bulls, Caruso has played in a career-high 71 games, starting 57, and has set personal bests in minutes per game, field goal percentage, rebounds, steals, blocks, and points.
