Dwyane Wade addressed the public reaction to his newly unveiled statue outside Miami’s Kaseya Center on Sunday, emphasizing that the sculpture is meant to capture a significant moment in his career rather than serve as an exact likeness. The statue commemorates Wade’s unforgettable celebration in 2009, when he leapt onto the scorer’s table and declared, “This is my house,” after sinking a game-winning three-pointer in double overtime against the Chicago Bulls.
The statue recreates that iconic gesture and moment, encapsulating his impact on Miami Heat history.
“It’s an artistic version of a moment,” Wade explained. “If I wanted it to look like me, I’d just stand outside the arena and y’all can take photos. It doesn’t need to look like me; it’s the artistic version of a moment that we’re trying to cement.” His statement comes amid social media discussions, where many users commented that the statue doesn’t resemble the Heat legend closely.
Though Wade acknowledged the mixed online response, he remains unfazed. “I care, but I don’t,” Wade said of the viral reaction. “The social media world is about opinions. Everyone has an opinion… Please talk more about us, talk more about the statue, come on down to see it, take some photos, send some memes. We don’t care.”
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Wade also praised the sculptors, Omri Amrany and Oscar León, who dedicated 800 hours to crafting the piece. “I don’t know a lot of people with a statue. Do you?” Wade asked reporters. “Anybody here, y’all know anything about the process of a statue? No one out there does either. It’s an unbelievable process to be a part of, and it’s a complicated process.”
Wade’s involvement in the statue’s creation was confirmed at the press conference with Amrany and León, who expressed their commitment to honoring Wade’s vision.
Though the statue has sparked diverse opinions, Wade’s own view is clear: it’s not about an exact likeness but a celebration of a pivotal career moment and his enduring legacy with the Miami Heat.
