Heat Re-Release ‘Original Vice’ Uniforms in a Video Starring Jimmy Butler

The Miami Heat revealed on Thursday that they will be wearing their wildly popular “Original Vice” uniforms again this season, beginning with their home game against the Denver Nuggets on Friday.

In a special unveiling video, Miami’s whole lineup wore the uniforms, and in an X post, Jimmy Butler, Tyler Herro, Bam Adebayo, and Jaime Jaquez modeled them.

Though they were put on hold from the 2020–21 season till now, the Heat made their debut wearing the Vice uniforms during the 2017–18 season and continued to do so for the following few years.

The resurrected uniforms are being referred to as “Original Vice” because they are the same ones that the Heat introduced in 2017. The white uniforms with pink and blue embellishments are similar to the colors used in the 1980s Miami Vice television show’s emblem.

Often imitated, never duplicated. #TheOriginalVice is back and on sale NOW – https://t.co/5cGP0wAVNG pic.twitter.com/q5BpsXhGSr

— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) January 16, 2025

The Heat have worn black, blue, and pink variations of the Vice uniform in the past, but the all-white version hasn’t been seen since the 2017–18 season.

Jimmy Butler’s inclusion in the advert sparks debate

For the rest of the 2024–25 season, the Heat will don the Original Vice uniforms instead of their classic “Association” white ones. Although it is customary for a team’s best players to display their new jerseys, Butler’s appearance in the advertising materials is noteworthy considering his position within the organization.

In addition to suspending Butler for seven games for “multiple instances of conduct detrimental to the team,” the Heat said earlier this month that they would consider trade proposals for him.

This week, Shams Charania of ESPN claimed that Butler spoke with team president Pat Riley and expressed his wish to be transferred. It’s probable that Butler has already played his final game with the Heat, given he hasn’t played since January 2.

With a 20-19 record this season, Miami has fallen short of expectations and is currently in ninth place in the Eastern Conference.

The Heat could miss the playoffs for the first time since the 2018–19 season, even though they are five games ahead of the Philadelphia 76ers, who are in 11th place, for a spot in the postseason play-in round.

The reintroduction of the Original Vice uniforms may have gained the Heat some goodwill with their supporters, but if they can’t find a viable replacement for Butler by the trade deadline on February 6, things might get worse.

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