Things don’t always go as we plan. Something similar happened with Dwyane Wade and the Miami Heat. The enthusiasm shown by the Heat in the past few weeks to celebrate the historic partnership with their most-scoring player in the franchise history was commendable. However, it turned out much to fan’s dismay as the franchise sought to immortalize the 3x NBA champion’s legacy with a statue that his followers could hardly recognize. While the social media trolling of the statue stays hot, Heat is here with one more attempt.

This time it is an animated depiction of former Jersey No. 3 on another monstrous move. If you could recollect, the statue was from the March 9, 2009 game with the Cleveland Cavaliers where ‘D-Wade’ got the clutch moment after two overtimes in a timeout. The “This is my house” moment from the game when carved in stone, however, brought comparisons to the likes of Antoine Walker and JB Bickerstaff from fans. The latest anime inspired from the same year therefore calls attention. 

Micky Arison’s team presented the video on Instagram: “15 years ago today @dwyanewade went full anime on Anderson Varejao 🤯 11.12.09,” the content, which is a mix of old game videos and graphic content. This takes us back to a core memory where the Miami Heat brushed off against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

In case you forgot, the game witnessed LeBron James missing a dunk that was rebounded by ‘Father Prime’. The 13x NBA All-Star known for his penetration through the defense got the ball to the other side of the court and made a massive dunk while throwing 6’11” Anderson Varejao on the defense behind the backboard. The Brazilian Power Forward was no match to Dwyane Wade who was the game’s top scorer with 36 points. Yet it is worth a moment to picture as one heroic anime moment, but the quality of the anime becomes a fan concern.

Despite the game stats, which went in favor of the Cavaliers by 111-104, the moment is close to heart for the fans with Wade making another epic statement “That’s how you do it” to Michael Jordan on courtside. No wonder fans make some sharp critiques on their disapproval of Heat’s video. 

Fans’ outlooks on ‘Anime Wade’

“What we wanted to do was capture a moment that represented the organization, represented me, and represented the city,” said the Hall of Famer post the statue unveiling. Given that this new tribute is reminiscent of a similar moment with the Miami Heat, the legend may agree this time as well.

However, fans don’t seem to be in agreement as one comment under Heat’s post: “Why does anime Wade look kinda like baby Chris Bosh lol? Fire edit though.” 

Meanwhile, there are rampant opinions on the video being a substandard AI product as another fan comments: “AI art?? 🤦🏻‍♂.” In general,  they don’t really appreciate the franchise’s consistency in playing with the former Heat star. This comment here clearly depicts this emotion: “Yall need to stop posting d Wayde. Yall just mess his face up so consistently.”

Remember the Charles Barkley comment on Wade’s statue from Inside the NBA: “A great honor for him, but they got to take that thing down.” The current anime responses are not any different. A similar disappointment lurks through the internet. Here is another comment from that series: “The anime character don’t even look like him. Quit doing my dawg like this 🤦🏾‍♂”

Not just that, the offense such as the one honored in this video, put him at the helm of this EC Franchise on court. Given that it is no wonder such errors make fans feel uneasy. Another comment deftly portrays the scene: “For someone who is the franchise’s GOAT, I’m shocked that his face is never properly done.”

Many may agree with the unfairness behind such nonchalant actions given the 42-year-old NBA champion’s history with the Miami Heat. He has scored 23,165 points in his career, of which 21,556 is with the Heat over 15 seasons which makes him No. 1 in the franchise history of points and games played.

Since the statue was taken in a positive light by the legend and his family, this one could elicit a similar response. It is up to the Miami Heat to heed what fans in general perceive.