Jimmy Butler is the only one who takes NBA Media Day very seriously.

On October 2, media day—which serves as the unofficial opening of the basketball season—was held as various players from throughout the league got back together with their teammates following the off-season. The majority of athletes used Media Day to take hilarious videos, pose for official team photographs, and respond to queries from reporters regarding the 2023–2024 season. However, Jimmy Butler took advantage of the day to reveal his striking hairstyle change.

The 34-year-old Miami Heat player, who experiments with different hairstyles and looks all the time, has made Media Day a regular feature. NBA fans were ecstatic when he arrived with long dreads last year; these images are frequently shared on social media and used to advertise live events.

Butler hinted at his new look on Instagram in the run-up to this year’s NBA Picture Day.

He shared a number of images to his Instagram account showcasing his lip, nose, and eyebrow piercings in addition to his black nail polish. In one video, Fall Out Boy’s “Thnks fr the Mmrs” was playing in the background while Butler sat with his back to the camera while a woman straightened his hair.

At last, he was prepared to present his complete ensemble. He casually walked inside the Kaseya Center, home of the Miami Heat, and flashed everything. Butler wore a knee-length black coat, black t-shirt, and baggy black slacks to go with his straightened hair, which partially hid his face. The garment had several lines including “The harder you look, the harder you look,” along with a white skull.

After putting on his No. 22 jersey, Butler greeted Erik Spoelstra, the head coach of the Miami Heat, and the other members of the coaching staff. “Don’t make me break character right now,” he said as he entered the room for his new appearance.

He flicked his hair a little and yelled, “Yeah, yeah, yeah, laugh it up,” as a couple of reporters laughed.

A journalist brought up Butler’s “braids” from the previous year. “What’s this?” inquired the reporter.

“I had dreads last year, for the last time,” the athlete corrected him. This is what? This is how I feel right now. I am a feeling unto myself. Thus, what you get is this.

Jimmy Butler’s team claimed that he “does Media Day like nobody else.”

His appearance also made his teammates laugh, including Bam Adebayo.

Adebayo questioned Butler about his new hairstyle and body piercings in a video that Butler shared on Instagram, with teammate Tyler Herro listening in.

Butler said that he was really dedicated to his emo joke when Adebayo inquired about his lip ring.

He said to Adebayo, “Look, I gotta stay in character, though.”

When Adebayo realized that most players just had haircuts for Media Day, he burst out laughing.

“This is Halloween for me,” Butler said. In a different video that was uploaded on X, Adebayo laughed so hard that he started crying after a hairstylist intervened to comb Butler’s hair.

Butler carried on with his antics and continued to take pictures when Good Charlotte’s “The Anthem” played on his Instagram story.

He went back to his Instagram story to discuss his thoughts on his alter persona after completing his Media Day duties.

Yes, that is the right time for me. I had to leave this place. He declared, “My time is up,” showcasing his piercings and painted nails.

And he said, “Emo Will Jimbo come back? I think so. That was popular. Later, Butler shared a carousel of Media Day images and videos on Facebook with the phrase, “Year 12.”

Not everyone thought Emo Jimbo should remain in the game. On his program “First Take,” journalist and television personality Stephen A. Smith responded to the Heat star’s appearance.

When Smith eventually said, “Oh my God,” in a video that was uploaded on X, he appeared astonished.

He likened Butler’s appearance to that of a character from the Starz series “P-Valley.”

Smith remarked, “I don’t know about all of that.” “It doesn’t feel right.”

Many NBA fans also made fun of Butler’s appearance, calling him “Ball Out Boy” and drawing comparisons between him and rapper André 3000.