Last Sunday, the Miami Heat unveiled a statue of Dwyane Wade in front of the Kaseya Center, in an attempt to honor the legacy of their star player. However, what was thought to be a memorable tribute has sparked controversy due to the lack of resemblance of the sculpture to the three-time NBA champion.
The statue, created by artists Omri Amrany and Oscar León, shows Wade in an iconic pose, with his arms raised in a sign of victory, recalling the moment when he declared that the stadium was "his house" after a double-overtime victory against the Chicago Bulls in 2009.
The Dwyane Wade commemorative statue goes viral
Despite the effort to immortalize this emblematic gesture, criticisms quickly arose, and many fans questioned the resemblance of the artwork to the player. Through social media, users were surprised and even confused when they saw the statue, going as far as comparing it to actor Laurence Fishburne, known for his role as Morpheus in the "Matrix" saga.
"Who is this?" joked a user on X, reflecting the opinion of those who believe that the tribute does not faithfully represent the player's image. This reaction was even shared by Wade himself, who jokingly commented, "This is crazy, who is that guy?"
Although many questioned the quality of the work, Wade was satisfied with the result and grateful to the team and sculptors. According to the artists, Wade actively participated in the creative process, so the player expressed that what he values most is the recognition of his career.
All of Miami comes together to commemorate Dwyane Wade
"I didn't play for this, but I appreciate it a lot," said Wade, who is currently a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame. Sunday's event marked the 21st anniversary of Wade's NBA debut, and the Heat franchise plans to continue with tributes during the next game against the Detroit Pistons.
During the game, commemorative videos and a speech by Wade will be presented at halftime. For many, Wade continues to be “the greatest player in the history of Miami Heat,” as stated by the team’s president, Pat Riley, during the ceremony.