‘This has gotta be a prank’: The Internet has opinions about Dwyane Wade’s new statue
A rare occurrence over the weekend: The Internet agreed on something.
In our polarized political climate, people came together to declare in unison that Miami Heat legend Dwyane Wade’s spanking new statue in front of the Kaseya Center in downtown Miami really, really doesn’t look like him.
The eight-foot-tall bronze piece was modeled after Wade’s iconic “This is My House” stance after leading the Heat to a jaw-dropping, double-overtime, tie-breaking win over the Chicago Bulls on March 9, 2009.
“More permanent than the key under the mat,” the team captioned a video of the unveiling on the stadium steps during Sunday’s ceremony on X.
OK, so the enormous piece captures the retired guard’s ripped physique, but somehow managed to harden his facial features, aging the 42 year old in the process. The wide open mouth makes him appear to be wincing in pain, rather than screaming in victory. The statue also has a beard but Wade was clean shaven back in those days.
The consensus on the Heat’s post? Our guy got done dirty.
A bunch of commenters thought the sculpture resembled other famous folks. In the mix: John Amos, the “Roots” actor who recently passed; “Blood Diamond” star Djimon Hounsou; and retired NFL player Aeneas Williams (we’re seeing that).
“Where is Dwyane Wade????”
“What did y’all do to our GOAT.”
“Who the hell is this?”
“Cool initiative but I don’t recognize him by the face at all.”
“Trying to replicate an emotional expression like that is a great idea but should’ve stayed an idea.”
“That is a truly ugly rendition of the great ball player!!!”
“This has gotta be a prank.”
“This is so disrespectful, omg.”
“That is the worst & ugliest statue I’ve ever seen. Wade approved that!?!”
In fact, he did, and is apparently over the moon with the result.
“I was just like, ‘That’s beautiful,” the basketball icon said after the unveiling. “Personally I’m biased, I think it’s one of the best statues that’s been created because of what it represents for us and for me.”
Wade was reportedly heavily involved in the creative process, working with Chicago based artists Omri Amrany and Oscar León of Rotblatt Amrany Studio. These sculptors are legit, behind such iconic statues as “Michael Jordan Spirit”and Kobe Bryant’s “Black Mamba.”
No. 3 sat for them for hours “multiple” times, León said of the work that was initially formed in clay. During the last visit, final “tweaks” were made and Wade saw everything “firsthand.”
At least a few X folks were fine with the Kaseya steps statue that probably won’t be going anywhere, until maybe the next major hurricane.
“If DWade likes it, I like it.”
“I believe I gave you guys something set in stone to hold onto,” Wade said after Sunday’s speech. “This is my house. I’m out.”
