MIAMI (AP) — Jimmy Butler had a new look for Media Day and the NBA world immediately took notice.
The Miami Heat forward showed up to the team’s first official day of work this season with piercings – eyes, lip and nose – as well as a new hairstyle and black-painted fingernails.
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It’s become something of a trend for Butler, who walked the Media Day palette last year with dreadlocks in a departure from his usual look.
“I’m very emotional right now. This is my emo state and I like it. That’s me,” Butler said. “That’s how I’ve been feeling lately.”
The coaches greeted Butler with smiles and laughter. It seemed that the teammates were a little unprepared.
Heat center Bam Adebayo — who hadn’t seen his teammate before meeting reporters — thought someone had Photoshopped something when a reporter showed him photos of Butler’s appearance.
“This isn’t real. … This is (expletive) hilarious,” Adebayo said.
Heat guard Tyler Herro added, “He told me today was his Halloween.”
Fans were also excited about Butler’s new look:
Still unclear: Whether Butler will keep the look when Miami opens practice on Tuesday. The team will hold camp at Florida Atlantic University in nearby Boca Raton.
