1776Reporting
The Miami Heat might need to reconsider their latest tribute to one of their greatest players, Dwyane Wade.
On Sunday, the team revealed a statue of the NBA legend outside the Kaseya Center, intending to celebrate Wade’s incredible contributions to both the franchise and the city of Miami. But the moment didn’t go quite as expected.
Dwyane Wade’s statue.
#3 forever immortalized in Miami. pic.twitter.com/aioXErJezy
— 𝙃𝙀𝘼𝙏 𝙉𝘼𝙏𝙄𝙊𝙉 (@HeatvsHaters) October 27, 2024
Fans were immediately puzzled after seeing the statue. Instead of celebrating the likeness of the Hall of Fame guard, they were left scratching their heads over how little it resembled him. The confusion wasn’t limited to the crowd — even Wade appeared unsure of what he was looking at.
“Who is that guy?” Wade asked, clearly surprised, while addressing the crowd after the unveiling. “That’s crazy, I can’t believe it.”
D-Wade: "Who is that guy?"
We're all wondering the same thing man lol https://t.co/n9cJWk51uV pic.twitter.com/CFKKfBwn2t
— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) October 27, 2024
Wade’s reaction echoed the sentiments of many fans, sparking conversation online and in the city. What was intended to be a grand tribute to the basketball icon quickly became a topic of humor and disbelief. Fans shared their opinions, with some questioning how a figure meant to honor a man so recognizable could miss the mark by such a wide margin.
The sculptors behind the statue addressed the concerns and spoke about their efforts. Despite the criticism, they defended their work, explaining the challenge of recreating a human likeness. “At the end of the day, we want to do the best job possible with human hands,” they told the media.
The sculptors who created the Dwyane Wade statue (also created MJ, Kobe and many others).
“At the end of the day we want to do the best job possible with human hands.” pic.twitter.com/6T9w57RPYq
— Will Manso (@WillManso) October 27, 2024
Their explanation highlights the difficulty of translating a living person into a static form, but it hasn’t stopped fans from expressing their disappointment. Wade, known for his charismatic personality on and off the court, took the moment in stride, but the statue itself has now become a source of debate rather than admiration.
This isn’t the first time a sports figure has been immortalized in a way that didn’t quite capture their essence. Across the world, athletes and celebrities have been the subject of statues and memorials that have missed the mark, sparking reactions ranging from laughter to outrage. Wade’s statue now joins that unique list.
For Miami, a city that loves its sports heroes, the statue unveiling was meant to be a celebration of Wade’s legacy. Wade spent the majority of his NBA career with the Heat, leading them to multiple championships and becoming a beloved figure in the process. The statue was supposed to solidify his place in the city’s history. Instead, it has led to calls for a redo.
As fans continue to voice their opinions, the Heat organization may need to consider their next steps. Whether the statue remains as it is or gets a makeover, one thing is clear: Dwyane Wade’s impact on Miami goes beyond any sculpture, and his legacy will remain, statue or not.
For now, though, the Wade statue stands as a reminder that even the best intentions can sometimes miss the mark, especially when trying to capture the essence of a legend.
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