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.

He showed off his black nail paint as well as nose, lip, and brow piercings in a series of Instagram stories. Butler sat with his back to the camera in one footage, while a woman straightened his hair and Fall Out Boy’s “Thnks fr the Mmrs” played in the background.

He was now ready to reveal his whole ensemble. He walked into the Kaseya Center, home of the Miami Heat, and showed his entire body. Butler wore his straightened hair, which covered part of his face, with baggy black leggings, a black t-shirt, and a knee-length black coat. The coat featured a white skull and with lines such as “The harder you look, the harder you look.”

Butler then donned his No. 22 jersey to welcome Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra and the rest of the coaching staff. When his press conference was called, he came into the room and stated, “Don’t make me break character right now.”

While a couple of reporters laughed, he flipped his hair and yelled, “Yeah, yeah, yeah, laugh it up.”

Butler reportedly had “braids” last year, according to one journalist. “What’s this?” inquired the reporter.

“I had dreads last year, for the last time,” the athlete corrected him. What exactly is this? This is my current emotional condition. I’m one with my feelings. As a result, this is what you get.”

The Miami Heat also shared a video of Butler preparing to take team shots on X, formerly known as Twitter.

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

His colleagues, including Bam Adebayo, were amused by his appearance as well.

Butler shared a video of Adebayo confronting him about his new hair and piercings on his Instagram story, while teammate Tyler Herro listened in.

Adebayo inquired about Butler’s lip ring, to which he replied that he was fully committed to his emo joke.

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

Adebayo burst out laughing, pointing out that most players only get a haircut for Media Day.

“This is my Halloween,” Butler elaborated. In a different video released on X, Adebayo began to cry after a hairstylist came in to comb Butler’s hair.

Butler continued his prank by taking images when Good Charlotte’s “The Anthem” played on his next Instagram story.

He returned to his Instagram story after completing his Media Day commitments to express his thoughts on his alter persona.

“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.”