After the unveiling of his own statue, NBA legend Dwyane Wade didn’t shy away from suggesting which current stars deserve the honor next. Dwyane Wade, who solidified his legacy with three championships and countless franchise records with the Miami Heat, believes that the next players to be immortalized with statues should be LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant.
LeBron James, Wade’s close friend and former teammate, stands as the obvious choice for a statue. Wade noted that LeBron’s career achievements speak for themselves. With four NBA championships, four MVP titles, 20 All-Star selections, and a record-breaking scoring resume, LeBron has consistently been a force in the NBA.
His ability to win championships across three franchises—Miami, Cleveland, and Los Angeles—has set him apart as a transcendent figure, influencing the game far beyond the court. Any of these franchises could honor him with a statue, though Cleveland, where LeBron delivered the city’s first-ever NBA championship, would be especially fitting. Wade’s admiration for LeBron’s enduring dominance reflects the respect many players and fans feel for him, recognizing him as the ultimate player of his era.
When it comes to revolutionizing the NBA, few players have impacted the game as profoundly as Stephen Curry. Wade praised Curry’s influence, particularly noting his role in shaping the modern NBA’s emphasis on three-point shooting. Known as the greatest shooter in NBA history, Curry’s deep shooting range and quick release have forced teams to rethink defensive strategies, leading to a league-wide shift toward spacing and perimeter shooting.
With four championships and two MVP awards (including the first-ever unanimous MVP), Curry has transformed the way the game is played. His loyalty to the Golden State Warriors further solidifies his legacy in the Bay Area, making a statue there inevitable. For Wade and many others, Curry’s contributions to the game transcend individual accolades—he changed the way players approach scoring, making a statue for him a celebration of his far-reaching impact on the NBA.
Wade’s third pick, Kevin Durant, brings a different but equally compelling legacy. Known for his scoring prowess and incredible versatility, Durant has been one of the league’s most efficient scorers. With 14 All-Star selections, two NBA titles, and four scoring titles, Durant’s impact has been undeniable.
Wade’s respect for Durant’s skill set highlights KD’s influence on how elite scoring is approached in the modern game. Though he’s played for several teams, Durant’s contributions to the Golden State Warriors stand out, as he helped them win back-to-back championships in 2017 and 2018, with Finals MVP performances both years. A statue for Durant in the Bay Area would honor his role in their historic title runs and symbolize his legacy as one of the best scorers the NBA has ever seen.
For Wade, these three players represent more than just great stats—they’ve each, in their own ways, shifted the narrative of NBA basketball. LeBron’s all-around dominance, Curry’s shooting revolution, and Durant’s scoring mastery have set benchmarks that young players strive to reach.
Each of them has a unique style, yet all share a common thread: the drive to elevate their teams and the league itself. As Wade received his own statue, he shared his hopes that these players would soon be honored in a similar way, giving fans and future generations a physical reminder of their contributions to the game.
Considering their accomplishments, statues for LeBron, Curry, and Durant seem less a question of if, but when. Just as Wade’s statue immortalizes his legacy in Miami, these future tributes would serve as timeless reminders of the players who have redefined the standards of excellence in the NBA.
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