Jimmy Butler returned to the court for the Miami Heat on Friday night after serving a seven-game suspension due to "multiple instances of conduct detrimental to the team," and while the suspension may be over—the drama surrounding him is far from it.
In a column posted on Friday, ESPN's Ramona Shelburne reported that Butler would still like to be traded before the Feb. 6 deadline, and that there is, "palpable dread" within the organization about what he might do next.
That's right, palpable dread. A rather aggressive use of words that—after also being used on an ESPN chyron on Friday—had NBA fans in a hilarious frenzy.
Here's a look at some of the best reactions:
sorry for taking a pic of my tv but this is the funniest chyron i’ve ever seen, bar none pic.twitter.com/G42B3RYG99
— Lucas Kaplan (@LucasKaplan_) January 17, 2025
it’s like a news report about a wild animal in central park pic.twitter.com/9OUD3csjxi
— Lucas Kaplan (@LucasKaplan_) January 17, 2025
palpable dread is wild https://t.co/Dwy9Vv1CGM
— tucker kraft stan - will die for him (@anitamae21) January 18, 2025
“there is a palpable dread about what Butler might do”
— jake (@JakeTheOliveira) January 18, 2025
i’m so tired but i cannot stop laughing https://t.co/KClgilteps
— sad boi shinji (@8Fourteen) January 18, 2025
They’re talking about Jimmy Butler like he’s Nosferatu. https://t.co/X9WEbi7RR7
— Mike Beauvais (@MikeBeauvais) January 18, 2025
Palpable dread should be a metal band name
— Eathearty (@Eathearty8alot) January 18, 2025
they’re talking bout Jimmy Butler like he’s a Star Wars villain https://t.co/DYXO8bRmW4
— jordan (@scripuh) January 18, 2025
💀💀💀💀 what they think he gonna do https://t.co/M4cnTpSKcE
— Antoine Hardy (@Slangdini) January 18, 2025
Butler is averaging 18 points, 5.7 rebounds and 4.7 assists in 31 minutes per game so far this season. He started Friday night's game for the Heat against the Denver Nuggets.
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This article was originally published on www.si.com as NBA Fans React to Hilarious ESPN Graphic As Jimmy Butler Returns from Suspension.