Miami Heat big man Bam Adebayo was seen wearing a hat after their 110-96 win over the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday.
It wasn’t just any hat, however.
Adebayo was wearing a “Joy Dealer,” hat, with many speculating that Adebayo, uncoincidentally, decided to wear the hat with Jimmy Butler (who did not play Wednesday) back in town, 11 months after his infamous “joy” comments.
While it did make for a good laugh, the three-time All-Star denied that he was intentionally throwing a subtle shot at Butler by wearing the hat that night.
“My stylist, when I put the outfit on, I called my staff, I said: ‘Bro, I feel like I’m missing something.’ And he’s like, ‘Let me see your hats,’” Adebayo said ahead of Friday’s game against Bulls, according to Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald. “And it was just the fact that it went with my outfit. It just so happened that we were playing the Warriors. But nothing more than that. I’m not that petty. I’m not like my significant other [WNBA star A’ja Wilson]. She’s more petty than I am. I’m not that petty.”
Butler claimed he “lost his joy” playing with the Heat in January after the organization didn’t reward him with an extension. He was suspended three times over the course of the month for violation of team rules before they eventually dealt him to Golden State ahead of February’s trade deadline.
Joy Dealer is a brand that Adebayo supports that strives to “spread happiness, foster connections, and inspire kindness in every interaction,” according to their website.
Adebayo’s stylist also definitely knew what he was doing. He wasn’t slick, and we can all see through it. Make no mistake, it’s objectively funny.
But it also definitely wasn’t a coincidence.
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Anyone else notice how since “quitter’s” departure the joy has returned to Mudville?