Dwyane Wade Statue Sparks Fan Backlash
A newly unveiled statue of former NBA star Dwyane Wade in Miami has received a mixed reaction online, with some fans questioning its resemblance to the Miami Heat icon. The bronze statue, which captures Wade shouting “this is my house” after a game-winning three-point shot against the Chicago Bulls in 2009, was unveiled on Sunday with Wade calling it “beautiful”.
However, the statue’s likeness has come under fire, with critics suggesting that it bears more resemblance to actors Laurence Fishburne or Kelsey Grammer than to Wade himself. NBA Hall of Famer Paul Pierce joined in the criticism, suggesting that Wade’s legacy deserves a “redo” given his status in the sport.
On Monday, Omri Amrani, one of the artists behind the piece, defended the statue, highlighting the challenge of creating universally appealing art. “I want to be an artist that creates an in-your-face response, and you cannot expect all of human society will have a positive reaction,” Amrani told Front Office Sports. Amrani, who has also sculpted statues of NBA legends like Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan, revealed that Wade himself chose the moment depicted and made multiple trips to the studio to collaborate on the project.
Despite Amrani’s defence, the backlash continued online, with some comparing the statue to a character from the film I Am Legend. While reactions remain divided, the statue marks a tribute to Wade’s illustrious career and his impact on Miami’s basketball legacy.