NBA legend Dwyane Wade was honored with a new statue in Miami on Sunday in front of the Kaseya Center, but it seems the sculpture has left fans and social media in disbelief.

What should have been a glorious moment to honor and celebrate Wade’s storied career with the Miami Heat, the statue instead ignited a whirlwind of online mockery, with many dubbing it the “worst statue of all time.” On Twitter, fans didn’t hold back their disappointment, with one user bluntly stating, “Dwayne Wade’s statue has been unveiled and he does not look happy about it.”

The figure, meant to capture Wade’s signature style and undeniable presence on the court, looked to be more like a caricature gone wrong. Rather than embodying his charisma and energy, the statue comes across as stiff and uncharacteristically lifeless.

“Who is that guy?” joked Wade as he took to the podium to speak to the audience.

 

Known for his agility, clutch plays, and electric energy on the court, Wade’s figure deserved a design as dynamic as his game. This statue, however, feels like it belongs more in a modern art gallery than in the heart of Miami.

While public sculptures are rarely without criticism, Wade’s statue has received an unusual level of backlash. Statues of famous figures – especially sports icons – walk a fine line between representing reality and embodying the spirit of the subject. But in this case, we have to wonder what happened during the initial design process.

The sculptor Omri Amrany, who co-created the statue, with artist Oscar Leon, defended his work to Front Office Sports on Monday. “I want to be an artist that creates an in-your-face response and you cannot expect all of human society will have a positive reaction,” he said  “Some people will come with a goofy response or angry response. That’s not because of what the art is itself, but rather how it makes them feel.”

He knew exactly what he wanted, Amrany said, although Wade has not commented publically on how he feels since the backlash.

 

 

As social media continues to roast the statue, Wade fans will likely keep their fingers crossed, hoping that their favorite NBA superstar will eventually receive a fitting tribute. Take a look at some of our favorite shady memes of the statue.