Dwyane Wade Statue Sculptor Defends His Work Against Fan Backlash

On October 27, Dwyane Wade's legacy with the Miami Heat was made history with the unveiling of a new bronze statue in front of the team's home at Kaseya Center, making Wade the first Heat player in history to be commemorated in metal. However, the statue quickly came under criticism online for its lack of resemblance to the three-time NBA champion.

Now the statue's sculptors are speaking out about any negative reactions. When asked about the reactions to his work, artist Omri Amrany stood behind his work. “I couldn't have done it better than that. I don't think anyone else could have done it better,” he told Miami sports reporter Will Manso. “It is, and we will love it forever.”

Amrany and sculptor Oscar León made it clear that they did their best. “At the end of the day, we want to do the best job humanly possible,” they explained.

“I want to be an artist that reacts in your face, and you can't expect the entire human society to react positively,” Israeli-born Amrany said. Front Office Sports. “Some people will come away with a stupid or angry response. It's not because of the art itself, but because of how it makes them feel. So, if that's part of why I'm a psychologist, fine.”

Amrany, who met with Wade several times during the sculpture process, has also created statues of other basketball legends, including a Michael Jordan piece in Chicago and a misspelled Kobe Bryant statue unveiled in Los Angeles earlier this year.

Wade is well aware of the jokes about the statue and its resemblance to actor Laurence Fishburne.

“The world of social media is about opinions. Everyone has an opinion,” he told reporters. “Send some memes. You don't care. “Yesterday was a special moment for my family and I.”

“It doesn't have to look like me; it's an artistic version of a moment that we're trying to solidify,” he added. The statue depicts Wade's famous “This is my home” celebration after his 2009 victory over the Chicago Bulls. “I appreciate all the comments that everyone has made because I'm in on the joke, guys, it's like I'm always laughing too. I'm amazing. I've seen some of your memories; it's a little bit like Laurence Fishburne's lower jawline.”

No matter what the statue looks like, what's important is the sense that Wade's career will remain in history forever.

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