Mavs Legend Dirk Nowitzki: 'A Lot of Mutual Respect' With Dwyane Wade

Despite their rocky past competing against each other, fellow future Hall of Famers Dirk Nowitzki and Dwyane Wade have since bonded.

Though the excitement of the NBA offseason has died down some, the Dallas Mavericks have a lot to be excited for in the coming weeks as Dirk Nowitzki will be inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame on August 12. 

Nowitzki joins fellow competitors in coach Gregg Popovich, Tony Parker, Pau Gasol and last but not least, Dwyane Wade. 

It's rather fitting that Nowitzki will join the Hall alongside fellow International players in Parker and Gasol, along with his many battles against the Popovich-led San Antonio Spurs.

But, nothing makes more sense, and generates a small chuckle, than Nowitzki and Wade being inducted together.

On Friday, Nowitzki spoke with The Dallas Morning News on his journey to the Hall of Fame, including recently 'bonding' with his former nemesis in Wade.

"Obviously we’ve gone through a lot, some ups and downs," Nowitzki said. "But at the end of the day he is one of the greatest players ever to play the game, so it's an honor to have him in the class."

Those ups and downs started in the 2006 NBA Finals where Nowitzki and the Mavs blew a 2-0 lead as the Heat won four straight to hoist the Larry O'Brien trophy. Wade, with help from the officials, lived at the free-throw line for the remainder of that series.

But, Nowitzki ultimately got his revenge, and boy was it oh so sweet. Dallas and Miami reunited in the 2011 NBA Finals with two new-look rosters, which included the inaugural season of the Big 3 containing Wade, LeBron James, and Chris Bosh. Nowitzki and the underdog Mavs shocked the world in knocking off the favorites in six games. 

"We sat together with his family during one of the dinners, and we talked," Nowitzki said. "And so I think it's going to be great. I think there's a lot of mutual respect there now."

That mutual respect had to be tough to come by following criticism after the '06 Finals, as the Mavericks felt that Wade and the Heat were favored by the officials. Come 2011, Wade and James famously mocked Nowitzki, who was dealing with flu-like symptoms, as they fake coughed on camera prior to Game 5.

"I know we've gone through some stuff in our careers, but at the end of the day not everybody you compete against at the highest level can be friends," Nowitzki said. "It's just not how it works. I think there were some things said on both sides that weren't liked by the other side, but you know what? This is 20-something years later now, almost.

“So there's really no hard feelings, and it's gonna be a fun week with him."

We can look forward to a lot of laughter and light-hearted jabs amongst the two legends as their legacies are cemented in the Hall of Fame next weekend.

But always remember — Nowitzki will forever have the last laugh over Wade when it comes to meeting in the Finals.

---

Follow Michael Mulford on Twitter. Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Dallas Mavericks? Click Here. Follow DallasBasketball.com on Twitter and Facebook.