Tributes came pouring in for the late, great Kobe Bryant on what would have been the Los Angeles Lakers legend's 42nd birthday on Sunday. The most recent homage comes from none other than Hall of Fame point guard Allen Iverson.

The Players' Tribune published an emotional letter from Iverson addressed to his good friend. Iverson started by sharing the type of first impression Kobe Bryant left on him.

The first time I saw you going up against Black Jesus, when you were 18 years old, I knew you were a killer. That’s when I realized you were going to be a legend in this game. You were going hard at Mike that night. No fear whatsoever. I mean, I knew from passing you in traffic over the years that you were a dog. But when I saw you going at Black Jesus like that?

That’s when I knew you were a kindred spirit.

Iverson then expressed how he treated Kobe as an adversary. Despite their many battles on the court, there remained underlying mutual respect between two of the best players in the league.

Me and you, every single time we stepped on that floor, we were going to war. But it wasn’t an animosity thing. There was never any beef. It was like heavyweight fighters beating the hell out of one another. And then at the bell, it’s nothing but love and respect. Greatness needs company, and we needed each other. Mike needed Prince like Prince needed Mike. Tyson needed Holyfield like Holyfield needed Tyson.

Iverson unsurprisingly also shared his thoughts on the GOAT conversation.

Any time anybody asks me, “Who’s the greatest of all-time?”

I’m not going to bullsh*t you. M.J. is always Number 1. I know you’d say the same. Black Jesus, that’s the G.O.A.T.

But Number 2?

Number 2, I’m always going to say it’s Kobe Bryant.

Nobody was tougher than you. Nobody got more out of me. We’re linked forever in this game — in this life.

I just wish we’d had more time.

There are so many great bits from Iverson's endearing letter, that we won't do it justice by just writing about it here. We strongly suggest that you go read the entire thing yourself. Here's the link again.

You don't have to be a Kobe fan or an Iverson fan — or even a basketball fan for that matter — to appreciate this piece. It is an utmost showing of respect and gratitude from one legend in the sport to another.

Rest in peace, Mamba.