Dallas Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki recently shared insights about his relationship with former NBA star Dwyane Wade.
During an interview, the former Mavericks superstar revealed that he and Wade have developed a cordial rapport but stressed that they don’t maintain a friendship.
“I wouldn’t say we’re friends,” Nowitzki told Marc Stein’s ‘The Saturday Stein Line’.
“I think there’s a mutual sense of respect for each other’s career and obviously were cordial. There’s no bad blood, obviously, anymore.
“We all moved on, things were said on both sides or done that neither side liked, but that’s part of competition at the highest level.”
Nowitzki’s tears as he bids farewell to Dallas
A fierce rivalry
Their encounters took place on the grandest stage of the NBA, not just once, but on two significant occasions. Wade and the Miami Heat emerged victorious over the Mavericks in the 2006 NBA Finals.
Nowitzki and his team sought redemption five years later, triumphing over the LeBron James-led Heat in the 2011 NBA Finals.
A notable incident from that time was Wade and James playfully mocking Nowitzki‘s illness during Game 4 of the 2011 NBA Finals.
However, it was Nowitzki who had the last laugh in that series, securing the Finals MVP accolade as he guided the Mavericks to their franchise’s historic maiden NBA title.
