The sculptor of the 'unrecognizable' statue of an NBA legend has spoken out following backlash from fans.
On Sunday (October 27), a statue of Miami Heat star Dwyane Wade was unveiled outside the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida.
While the statue of the sporting legend was meant to signify a period of joy, it seems fans were left with feelings of anything but.
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A viral clip showed the moment the 8ft bronze statue of the basketball player was revealed, which began with two of the walls concealing it from the public being pulled back.
Smoke then built up as cheers for the crowd increased when a few plumes of fire blazed up behind the artwork.
It really was quite the entrance.
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Once the smoke cleared, fans were greeted with the statue of a figure wearing a Miami Heat vest with the number three on the back.
It had its arms raised in the air and fingers pointing down as well as its mouth open in a shout.
This, of course, pays homage to one of Wade's more memorable career moments in March 2009 when he scored one of the best shots in NBA history.
"This is my house!" the plinth the statue is stood on reads - which are the words the basketball star yelled after making the incredible shot.
After the statue was unveiled to the world, many took to social media to discuss its appearance.
And the general consensus appeared to be that they would have struggled to identify who the statue actually was had it not been for Wade being in attendance and the widespread media coverage of it.
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"Dwyane Wade’s Heat career -15 seasons -3 championships -All-time leader in points, games, assists, and steals -1 completely unrecognizable statue," Barstool Sports commented on Twitter.
While a second user added: "Trying to replicate an emotional expression like that is a great idea but should’ve stayed an idea."
And a third remarked: "Congrats to Dwade but who is the sculptor?"
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Well, sculptor Omri Amrany has since addressed the negative backlash his artwork has received.
Amrany, who worked on it alongside Oscar León, told WPLG Local 10 News: "I couldn’t do better than that. I don’t think anybody else can do better than that. It is what it is, and we will love it forever."
The broadcaster's sports director, Will Manso, noted on Twitter how both artists are 'very proud' of the statue and that they are encouraging fans to come down and take a look at it for themselves.
And in a news conference Wade, as quoted by the Miami Herald, said: "I’m biased, but I think it’s one of the best statues that’s been created because of what it represents for us and for me."
Topics: Basketball, NBA, Sport, Celebrity
Callum Jones