Knicks guard J.R. Smith broke for the baseline Wednesday night, caught the ball and went airborne in one sweeping motion, split his legs in the course of his leap, and drained the game-winner against the Phoenix Suns with a flick of his right wrist while falling into the stands. It was, for sure, a certain kind of body art.

Smith, in his erratic N.B.A. career, has become known for another kind of body art: tattoos. He may be the most decorated player in the league.

Smith spent some time with The New York Times this month, talking about his art’s history.



Q. What was the first tattoo?