Dirk Nowitzki Reflects on 'Frosty' Relationship With Dwyane Wade Before First Meeting of 2018-19

Nowitzki fell to Wade and the Heat in the 2006 Finals before exacting revenge on Miami in 2011.

Dirk Nowitzki and Dwyane Wade have shared plenty of memorable moments over the past two decades, especially when they squared off in both the 2006 and 2011 NBA Finals. Wade and the Heat won the first Finals battle in 2006. Nowitzki toppled Miami's Big 3 five years later.

The pair will battle twice more before Wade retires at the end of 2018-19. The first contest will be on Tuesday night at the American Airlines Center in Dallas. Nowitzki reflected on the future Hall-of-Famers' relationship on Tuesday and discussed the "frosty" tone over a decade ago.

"Like I've said, after, '06, we had some frosty times, hut I think that's way behind us," Nowitzki told ESPN's Tim MacMahaon. "I always say he pushed me to the player in '11 to ultimately win."

As Dwyane Wade prepares for his final visit to Dallas, Dirk Nowitzki reflected on the formerly “frosty” relationship between the two-time Finals foes. pic.twitter.com/OAyuXdtFVH

— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) February 12, 2019

Wade and Nowitzki will also battle in an exhibition format before their respective retirements. The pair was added to the NBA All-Star Game by Commissioner Adam Silver on Feb. 1. Wade is slated to suit up for Team LeBron while Nowitzki takes the floor for Team Giannis. 

Wade is averaging 13.8 points per game in 2018. Nowitzki's scoring has plummeted to 4.4 points per game as he shoots 32.4% from beyond the arc.