What is with all the tattoos in the NBA

What is the deal with all of the tattoos on all of the NBA players. By looking a them you would guess that people were afraid to tell them how stupid they look before they got them. I don't think I've seen anyone with a good tattoo on them. If I were David Stern I would make them play in long sleeve t shirts. Does Allen Iverson really think he looks cool. I don't get it. Can someone please fill me in?