Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant gave NBA Hall of Famer Tracy McGrady a huge compliment in his book titled, “The Mamba Mentality.”

Kobe Bryant says McGrady, who averaged 19.6 points per game during his illustrious career, might have been his hardest matchup during his playing days.

Tracy McGrady heard Kobe Bryant’s comments on Thursday’s edition of ESPN’s The Jump, and the now 39-year-old said he appreciates Bryant’s kind words.

“Listen man, thank you Kobe for giving me my roses while I’m still here on this earth,” McGrady said. “He was, listen, I came in, I used to stay at this man’s house. I just knew how gifted he was gonna be, right? So watching him, seeing him blossom before I ever reached you know my stardom, I was like ok, I’m gunning for him, right? This is the guy that I’m gunning for. And he just brought the best out of me.

“I worked religiously of trying to get better and have no flaws in my game. And as you see, I mean, he praised me for that, for not having any flaws.”

Before injuries took a toll on his body, Tracy McGrady was a walking bucket. He was a two-time scoring champion and seven-time All-Star. The Florida native averaged 32.1 points per game during the 2002-03 season with the Orlando Magic.

Tracy McGrady scored an amazing 13 points in 33 seconds against the San Antonio Spurs in 2004. Just like Kobe Bryant’s 81 points versus the Toronto Raptors, McGrady’s performance that day will live in infamy.