MIAMI - Dwyane Wade will never forget his first meeting against Kobe Bryant.
Wade and the Miami Heat went to Los Angeles and got blown out in November 2003, the Lakers winning 99-77 and making it look every bit as easy as that score seemed. It was the eighth game of Wade's professional career, and to say he was still figuring things out is an understatement.
But in the third quarter, something happened.
''It was so not a meaningful moment in basketball history at all,'' Wade said.
True, but it was obviously one for him to cherish. Finding himself guarding Bryant for one of the first times all night, Wade - who freely acknowledges that he was nervous facing Bryant - got a steal. Nearly 13 years later, he still savors that moment and will carry the thought into Wednesday night, when Miami visits the Lakers and Wade and Bryant could square off as opponents one final time.
"For me, that was it," Wade said. "That was the holy grail. ... Inside, I felt so good. It didn't mean anything to him. They were up about 30 or 40. But to me it meant the world."
A friendship has blossomed in recent years (even though Wade broke Bryant's nose in the 2012 All-Star Game). Wade even was one of the orchestrators of a tribute dinner for Bryant at this year's All-Star Game, part of the yearlong, league-wide retirement celebration for the Lakers' star whose career is now in its final weeks.
If Bryant and Wade both play on Wednesday, it'll be the 20th head-to-head meeting. Wade - who, like Bryant, has worn only one professional uniform - and the Heat have an 11-8 edge in those matchups. Bryant didn't play when the Lakers visited Miami earlier this season.
Players have taken to asking for Bryant for certain souvenirs like jerseys or sneakers this season. Wade will have a request as well for a memento from their final matchup, though he isn't sure what yet.
"Trying to think of something different," Wade said. "I'm asking for something. It's crazy that it's our last time playing him and we're asking for something."
If all else fails, he'll still have that memory from 2003.
