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By Bryan Colbert Jr.
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Two years after Dwyane Wade's statue went viral for all the wrong reasons, the Miami Heat have given their franchise legend a new look.
The organization revealed updated photos Friday showing significant changes to the bronze statue outside Kaseya Center, particularly Wade's facial features.
The original statue, unveiled in October 2024, was intended to celebrate one of the greatest players in franchise history. Instead, it quickly became the subject of widespread criticism, with fans questioning whether the sculpture actually resembled the three-time NBA champion.
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Now, the Heat appear to have addressed those concerns.
The updated version features a more recognizable facial structure, with noticeable adjustments to Wade's eyes, nose and mouth. The changes are especially apparent when comparing photographs of the original statue with its latest appearance.
Despite the criticism surrounding the initial unveiling, Wade defended the tribute at the time, emphasizing its meaning rather than its physical resemblance.
The statue commemorates one of Wade's most memorable moments with Miami, when he celebrated a game-winning shot against the Chicago Bulls in March 2009 by jumping onto the scorer's table and declaring that the arena belonged to him.
The sculptors behind the original design, Omri Amrany and Oscar Leon, also addressed the recent modifications.
In a statement provided to The Athletic, the artists explained that seeing the finished sculpture in its permanent location revealed opportunities to improve Wade's likeness.
Rather than leaving the original design untouched, they decided the significance of Wade's legacy warranted additional refinements.
Wade spent 15 seasons with Miami, winning three NBA championships and earning 13 All-Star selections during his Hall of Fame career.
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He remains the franchise's all-time leading scorer and became the first Heat player honored with a statue outside the team's arena.
The tribute was always meant to preserve Wade's place in Miami basketball history. Two years after its controversial debut, the updated design gives fans a new opportunity to appreciate the moment it was created to celebrate.
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