After Sending Shockwaves With Bizarre Media Day Gimmicks, Jimmy Butler Steps Into Michael Jordan’s Fashion Faux World

The Miami Heat media day on Monday had an unusual start thanks to one pro. Fusing Andre 3000’s iconic hairstyle with a Wednesday Addams aesthetic, Jimmy Butler debuted his goth-chic athletic phase. Training camps and players took a backseat as all everyone could talk about was the sudden style turnover of Jimmy G. Addams. When the aftershock wore off, fans paused and absorbed the star’s expressive style. Inevitably, the Michael Jordan comparisons arose.

Fans tend to point out the passing resemblance between the 6x All-Star and His Airness. It is apt in this case as even MJ is an understated style revolutionary.

Jimmy Butler seems to be in his Michael Jordan style era

Butler showed up on Miami’s media day in a flat-ironed hairdo and at least his eyebrow, lip and nose pierced. Stereotypical of every animated teenager in the goth mood, his fringe covered half his face and his fingernails were painted black to make his point. “I’m emo,” Jimmy said with a faux-apathetic expression. “This is my emotional state. I’m at one with my emotions, so this is what you get.” His teammate, Bam Adebayo nearly broke that character but he stayed on track.

His bold statement resounded with the legacy of Chicago Bulls legend, Michael Jordan. Decades ago, he was one of the first fashion provocateur of the NBA.

From his hip-hop adjacent colors during his first three-peat, he became the example of normcore -chic in the style industry.

Complete with his media-shy personality, His Airness would casually make muted tones and high-waisted trousers an undying trend.

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Similarly, Internet denizens are also noticing the larger picture of Butler’s bizarre style statement. He effectively distracted from the doubts about Heat’s chances this season but he’s also warning that he’s going to be very vocal about what he feels.

His statement is driven further with the words embellished on his all-black attire. “The harder you look, the harder you look.”

Michael Jordan’s style revolution

On the surface, His Airness’ most noticeable fashion contribution is changing sneaker culture.

From footwear only appropriate for a grocery errand, sneakers are now all-season and all-occasion because of the popularity of Air Jordans. Added by the fact that it was an NBA ban on his shoes that boosted Nike’s sales. But it would be gross disservice to say that’s all the almighty MJ did.

Basketball viewers could be shopping for a pair of dad jeans and considering a corduroy blazer in the summer without realizing it was the image of Michael Jordan in them at the sidelines of an NBA game that sparked the appeal.

These days his style embodies the typical retired dad-fashion which despite the jokes, works fine. Jordan brought the NBA to its media rights era. With more visibility on him, his ear piercing, gold chains, beret, aerodynamic clothing, became imitable. His rivals would be thrown off-kilter when his gold chains didn’t hamper him. His style would also reshape NBA dress codes.

Hence, Jimmy Butler’s piercings and hairdo aren’t a cry for help. He’s taking a page of the MJ handbook to make you stop and think.

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