Dwyane Wade has spoken out following backlash of an "unrecognizable" statue that was sculpted of his most famous moment.
As previously reported, the statue, which depicts Wade in his memorable 2009 “this is my house” moment after a game-winning three-pointer against the Chicago Bulls, was intended as a tribute to one of Wade’s defining career highlights.
It was installed outside Miami’s Kaseya Center, and has ignited social media discussions and drawn mixed reactions from fans.
“Dwyane Wade’s Heat career - 15 seasons, 3 championships, all-time leader in points, games, assists, and steals - and one completely unrecognizable statue,” sports outlet Barstool Sports posted on X, adding that Wade’s legacy warranted a more accurate representation.
Wade’s long-time friend and fellow NBA Hall of Famer Paul Pierce even suggested that Wade might deserve a “redo,” remarking: “The Heat legend was too legendary for the statue to miss the mark,” according to BBC News.
Sculptor Omri Amrany, who co-created the statue, has since responded to the backlash, defending the artistic approach.
“I want to be an artist that creates an in-your-face response,” Amrany told Front Office Sports. “You cannot expect all of human society will have a positive reaction.”
Speaking to WPLG Local 10 News, he added: “I couldn’t do better than that. I don’t think anybody else can do better than that. It is what it is, and we will love it forever.”
Well, Wade himself has now given his thoughts on the statue, and he seems impressed.
"If I wanted it to look like me, I'd just stand outside the arena and y'all can take photos," Wade explained on Monday, one day after the unveiling, via ESPN.
"It don't need to look like me. It's the artistic version of a moment that happened that we're trying to cement."
"I care, but I don't," Wade said. "The social media world is about opinions. Everyone has an opinion. Everyone, use y'all opinions. Please talk more about us. Talk more about a statue, come on down to see it, take some photos, send some memes. We don't care."
Wade continued to defend the statue at a halftime ceremony during the Detroit-Miami game on Monday, coinciding with the 21st anniversary of his debut with the Heat.
Addressing the crowd, he emphasized the significance of the tribute, stating it was as much for the fans as it was for him.
"There’s only a few organizations that have a statue outside. There’s not even 15 players who played this game of basketball that have a statue outside," Wade told the audience.
"So, for me to be the vessel that’s used, to be the chosen one, I’m proud of it. I’m proud because we worked very, very, very hard to create an image that will stand for a very long time that expresses what the Miami Heat, my family, and our fan base is about.”
Wade added: "So, don’t let nobody talk about our house. Because this is our house. They’re on the outside. Leave them out there."
Despite the feedback, Wade expressed appreciation for the sculptors’ efforts, acknowledging their commitment and creativity.
"I don’t know a lot of people with a statue. Do you? Anybody here, you all know anything about the process of a statue? No one out there do neither," Wade said.
Wade also addressed the memes circulating online, some of which suggested the statue more closely resembles actor Laurence Fishburne than the NBA Hall of Famer.
While he chuckled at some of the comparisons, he noted that criticism is familiar territory for artists and athletes alike.
"Every time they create something, someone has to come out and say something about their creation. They cannot do what they do," Wade said of the sculptors.
"I know what that feels like because I’m an athlete, a former athlete. People talked about me a lot, but they couldn’t do what I do. And so, you learn how to just laugh, look at it, learn from it, move on, whatever. So, we good. We good."
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