Jimmy Butler takes NBA Media Day very seriously.

The unofficial opening of the basketball season, media day, began on Oct. 2 with several players from throughout the league reuniting with their colleagues following the off-season. The majority of the athletes spent Media Day answering reporters’ questions regarding the 2023-2024 season, making hilarious videos, and posing for official team photographs. Jimmy Butler, on the other hand, used the occasion to unveil his radical hair makeover.

The 34-year-old Miami Heat star, who is continually changing his hair and experimenting with different looks, has made Media Day a running gag. Last year, he arrived up with long dreadlocks, which pleased NBA fans all season – the photos players take are frequently shared on social media and used to advertise televised games.

Butler teased his new look on Instagram in the days leading up to what is essentially NBA picture day this year.

In a series of Instagram stories, he flaunted the black nail paint he had applied to his nails as well as the piercings in his nose, lip, and brow. In one of the videos, Butler was seen sitting with his back to the camera as a woman straightened his hair and Fall Out Boy’s “Thnks fr the Mmrs” played in the background.

Now that the time had come, he would show off his entire ensemble. He exposed his entire body as he walked inside the Kaseya Center, which is the home arena for the Miami Heat. Butler accessorized his slicked-back hair, which obscured a portion of his face, with loose-fitting black trousers, a black t-shirt, and a black coat that reached his knees. The jacket was emblazoned with a white skull and phrases like “The harder you look, the harder you look.”

After that, Butler greeted Erik Spoelstra, the head coach of the Miami Heat, along with the rest of the coaching staff while wearing his No. 22 jersey. When it was time for his press conference, he entered the room and said, “Don’t make me break character right now.”

While a couple of reporters were laughing, he tossed his hair and said, “Yeah, yeah, yeah, laugh it up.”

According to the account of one journalist, Butler had his hair in “braids” in the previous year. The reporter was curious and asked, “What’s this?”

The athlete set him straight by saying, “Last year was the very last time I wore dreadlocks.” Just what is this, exactly? This is how I now feel in terms of my emotions. I am in harmony with my emotions. As a direct consequence of that, you will receive…”

Additionally, the Miami Heat uploaded a video to X, which was formerly known as Twitter, which showed Butler getting ready to take team shots.

“Nobody does Media Day like Jimmy Butler does Media Day,” his team said. “Nobody does Media Day like Jimmy Butler does Media Day.”

The rest of his coworkers, notably Bam Adebayo, found his appearance to be quite humorous.

On Butler’s Instagram story, he posted a video of Adebayo confronting him about his new hair and piercings while teammate Tyler Herro listened in. Butler also mentioned that Herro was present during the conversation.

Adebayo questioned Butler about his lip ring, and Butler responded that he was fully dedicated to his emo joke. Adebayo continued to question Butler about his lip ring.

“Look, I gotta stay in character, though,” he informed Adebayo, “but.”

Adebayo erupted in laughter as he made the observation that the majority of players only get a haircut before Media Day.

“This is my Halloween,” Butler elaborated on the subject. Adebayo started crying as a beautician arrived into the room to comb Butler’s hair in a different video that was published on X.

The next part of Butler’s practical joke had him snapping pictures while the song “The Anthem” by Good Charlotte was playing on his Instagram story.

After he had finished all of the commitments he had made for Media Day, he went back to his Instagram story to share his opinions on his alter ego.

“Yeah, it’s that time of year for me. I need to get out of here. “My time has come,” he declared, highlighting his painted nails and piercings.

“Emo,” he added. Will Jimbo be back? Most likely. It was a big hit.” Butler later posted a photo and video carousel from Media Day with the phrase “Year 12.”

Not everyone was convinced that Emo Jimbo should stay. Stephen A. Smith, a journalist and television personality, responded to the Heat superstar’s appearance on his show “First Take.”

In a video shared on X, Smith appeared surprised before ultimately saying, “Oh my God.”

Butler’s appearance reminded him of a character in the Starz show “P-Valley.”

“I don’t know about all of that,” Smith admitted. “I can’t vibe with that.”

Many NBA fans mocked Butler’s appearance, comparing him to rapper André 3000 and dubbing him “Ball Out Boy.”