Jimmy Butler uses a clever ’90s sitcom reference to joke about his Heat suspension. Find out how he turned his trade saga into a hilarious Instagram moment featuring “Tommy” from Martin.
The drama surrounding Jimmy Butler’s trade request has been one of the biggest storylines of the Miami Heat’s 2024-25 season. While the situation seems tense, Butler and some of his teammates are finding humor in the chaos.
After being suspended for the third time this season, Butler took to Instagram to poke fun at his situation. For fans of 1990s sitcoms, his posts were instantly relatable. For those who missed the reference, here’s what he shared and why it’s so fitting.
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Jimmy Butler’s Instagram Post, Explained
Once news of his suspension broke, Butler posted an Instagram story featuring a headshot of Thomas Mikal Ford, the late actor who played Thomas “Tommy” Strawn on the iconic ‘90s sitcom Martin.
Butler followed it up with a reel that included the same headshot as the thumbnail and clips of Tommy’s most memorable moments from the show. The recurring joke in the reel? Tommy being unemployed.
With Butler now away from the Heat for an “indefinite” period, it’s clear he’s embracing the idea of being “jobless,” much like Tommy, who famously “ain’t got no job.”
The post also tagged Kevin Love, a teammate known for sharing memes and nostalgic throwbacks about the Heat’s season. Butler seems to have joined Love in using humor to lighten the mood amid the ongoing trade saga.
Also Read: Jimmy Butler’s Standoff with the Heat Is Costing Him Millions
Who Is Tommy from Martin?
Tommy is one of the main characters in Martin, which aired from 1992 to 1997 on Fox. Played by Thomas Mikal Ford, Tommy is one of Martin’s best friends.
A running gag throughout the show is that no one knows what Tommy does for work. Even though Tommy often hints at being employed, it becomes an accepted joke that “Tommy ain’t got no job.”
The clip Butler shared on Instagram is from a 17-minute compilation of Tommy’s “jobless” moments, a video that has racked up nearly 2 million views on YouTube since 2020.
By posting this clip after his suspension, Butler playfully compared himself to Tommy, acknowledging that while suspended, he doesn’t exactly have a “front-facing job” as a basketball player.
What’s Next for Jimmy Butler?
While Butler is away from the team, fans wouldn’t be surprised to see him spending more time at his Big Face Coffee business. Until Miami figures out a resolution to the trade saga, Butler seems to be enjoying the time off and keeping things lighthearted.
Much like Tommy, Butler knows how to turn an awkward situation into a funny, memorable moment. Whether he’s playing basketball or trolling on Instagram, Jimmy Butler always finds a way to entertain.
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