Charles Barkley on Dwyane Wade statue: ‘They gotta take that thing down’

Plenty of people have gotten their shots in following the unveiling of Dwyane Wade’s statue outside the Kaseya Center in Miami.

Charles Barkley wasn’t going to waste the opportunity to get in a few digs of his own.

During Tuesday’s broadcast of Inside the NBA, the crew discussed the much-maligned statue that many NBA fans feel does not resemble the 13-time All-Star and longtime Miami Heat player.

“It’s a great honor. But they gotta take that thing down.” 🤣

Chuck & the crew give their thoughts on Dwyane Wade’s statue pic.twitter.com/jIzSQjw0Me

— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) October 29, 2024

“Obviously a great honor for D-Wade,” said host Ernie Johnson.

“It’s a great honor, but they gotta take that thing down,” responded Barkley.

Kenny Smith disagreed, saying that the statue’s face is simply “animated,” which did nothing to change Sir Charles’ mind.

“If you made an ugly statue, that’s what it would look like,” he responded. “That thing’s awful.”

When they showed an image of the statue’s face, which is locked in a celebratory yell, Barkley got in another jab, saying “That was after he saw the statue right there.”

Johnson lent some credence to Barkley’s stance, implying that he agreed with the sentiment that someone who didn’t know who the statue was meant to honor would never be able to guess it was Wade. Still, Smith remained adamant that it was simply “Dwyane Wade making an animated face.”

“That statue was so bad they had to put all his stats behind him so you know who it was,” responded Barkley, who also gave a “shoutout” to the statue makers.

“Get your education next time, you’re not good at the first job.”

The statue’s designers, Timeless Creations’ Omri Amrany and Oscar León, have defended it, saying they were attempting to capture the Heat legend mid-celebration.

For what it’s worth, Wade said the statue is “beautiful” and “one of the best statues that’s been created.”

As always, art remains subjective.

[Inside the NBA]