NBA legends Charles Barkley and Shaquille O'Neal delivered a scathing critique of Dwyane Wade's original statue after the Miami Heat unveiled a replacement head for the sculpture outside Kaseya Center. The Hall of Famers, speaking on TNT's "Inside the NBA," did not hold back their disdain for the initial likeness, which was unveiled during a ceremony on October 27, 2024.
"That thing was horrible," Barkley declared, with O'Neal echoing the sentiment and adding his own colorful commentary on the statue's facial features. The Heat organization responded to the widespread criticism — which extended well beyond the broadcast booth — by commissioning a new head for the bronze figure.
The revised statue now stands in front of the arena, attempting to better capture the three-time NBA champion and 2006 Finals MVP. Wade, who spent the majority of his 16-year career in Miami, attended the original unveiling alongside team president Pat Riley and owner Micky Arison. The franchise has not publicly commented on the TNT segment, but the swift replacement suggests the organization took the feedback seriously.
