Dwyane Wade recently got a statue, and he thinks LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Stephen Curry should be next to get one.
Kevin Durant’s Thoughts on Statues:
Durant feels he doesn’t deserve a statue because of his career choices. He’s played for four teams over 17 years: the Thunder (nine seasons), Golden State (three seasons), Brooklyn (two-and-a-half seasons), and now Phoenix since 2022. In an interview with Kay Adams, Durant explained that Wade has a strong bond with Miami fans because he spent most of his career there.
“I highly, highly doubt I get a statue of me put anywhere for playing basketball,” Durant said. “I appreciate the love and respect people show me. That’s enough for me. Dwyane Wade’s a different case. He is Miami. He is the Heat.”
Fan Reactions to Durant’s Career Moves:
Durant knows some fans aren’t happy with his past decisions. When he left Oklahoma City, Thunder fans taunted him with cupcake signs and still boo him when he visits their arena.
Fans sometimes feel like they know these players personally.
Durant reportedly felt less loved than Stephen Curry in Golden State, which influenced his decision to leave San Francisco. Many saw him as just helping the Warriors win championships without being part of their core group.
Future Recognition for Durant:
Despite Durant’s humility, it’s likely both the Thunder and Warriors will honor him someday. In 2021, Warriors governor Joe Lacob announced plans to build statues for key players like Durant, Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, and Andre Iguodala. It’s hard to imagine the Thunder not recognizing what Durant did for them after moving from Seattle.
