“That’s beautiful,” said Dwyane Wade about his statue. But the NBA fandom begged to differ. By unveiling the bronze statue of the legend outside the Kaseya Center last month, the Miami Heat marked Wade’s transition from an athlete to a cultural icon. However, no matter, how unique the unveiling ceremony was, the statue got heat from the fans for not resembling Wade. But as the debate rages on, a former teammate and Miami Heat veteran has stepped in to defend the statue in this Essentially Sports exclusive, emphasizing its true value to Miami’s culture and economy.

Despite the backlash, the current Miami Heat assistant coach Caron Butler has praised the statue’s larger impact. Speaking exclusively to Essentially Sports, Butler said, “The statue was timeless. And he did his job, as he always did. He became the center of attraction. People are still talking about it and did it in a way that only Dwyane Wade could do it and he answered all the questions gracefully and he moved on. And that statue is probably one of the most sought-after statues to see if you come to Miami, it’s become a tourist attraction now,” said Butler during the interview.

Dwyane Wade’s statue, designed to immortalize his legacy, depicts his signature “This is my house” celebration pose from his legendary game-winner against the Chicago Bulls. However, critics argue that the sculpture’s facial features are noticeably off striking a resemblance with boxer George Foreman and Matrix actor Laurence Fishburne.

The statue was created by renowned sculptor Omri Amrany and Oscar León of Rotblatt Amrany Studio, which is the same studio that has sculpted statues of other NBA greats like Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan and most interestingly even Wade was present at the studio during the whole process.

“As far as the visual, this is something that he crafted and wanted exactly the way it was sculpted to. So I didn’t understand all the backlash, like this is something that he wanted, the statue was art and this is what he wanted it to look like. He was part of the entire process and I think that as fans you gotta be like if somebody wanna be immortalized in a specific way and this is the visual that they see themself in, like you applaud it,” mentioned Carter during the interview.

Even though the state might have not been able to do justice to Dwyane Wade’s face, it did have small minute details added to it. According to a post by Nick DePaula on his X account, Wade’s statue showcased the shoes that he wore during his final NBA season. The Way of Wade 7 also featured the names of his parents, mom Jolinda, dad Dwyane Sr., and a tribute to his longtime agent Henry Thomas that reads “RIP Hank.”

We can say that Wade’s statue symbolizes more than his individual accomplishments—it’s a tribute to excellence, and the Miami Heat’s culture. While the initial reception of Wade’s statue was polarizing, Butler’s perspective highlights the broader significance of how the sculptor is not just a nod to the Heat icon but also an attraction point for tourists. However, this wasn’t the only insight given by the Miami Heat assistant coach during the interview.

Caron Butler reveals his favorite teammate

Butler’s journey to the NBA was as inspiring as his career. Drafted 10th overall in 2002 by the Miami Heat, Butler quickly established himself as a versatile forward with a sharp scoring touch. It was during his rookie year that he crossed paths with Dwyane Wade, a rookie himself in 2003, forming an instant bond that would mark the early days of their careers.

In the same interview, Butler was asked a difficult question: who was his favorite teammate—Dwyane Wade or Dirk Nowitzki? With thoughtful diplomacy, Butler replied, “They both are great teammates. That’s the thing that, I think only in the NBA because we have like, I hate to say, we have a lot of people, who look like myself to play the game of basketball at higher level is least with separation… they both was great great great teammates. They love the game. They are both champions. They are both individuals that you cannot tell the story of basketball without mentioning. Well, that’s a great question but they are both great teammates.”

While Butler did not pick one over the other, he understood what the assignment was and revealed what the game of basketball meant to both Wade and Notwitzki. Butler’s time with Wade in Miami was brief but impactful. In the 2003-04 season, Wade averaged 16.2 points and 4.5 assists, while Butler contributed 9.2 points and 4.8 rebounds.

Together, they spearheaded a youthful Miami squad to the playoffs, showcasing undeniable chemistry. Butler’s respect for both teammates reflects his appreciation for their unique contributions. His willingness to mention how the statue is an art piece at the end of the day meant to signify a much bigger truth than just the physical appearance only proves his respect for the No. 3.