“We Needed Each Other”: NBA Hall of Famer Allen Iverson Pens an Emotional Tribute for Kobe Bryant

Monday was 8/24, Kobe Bryant Day, one day removed from the Los Angeles Lakers’ legend’s birthday. Many players and friends poured in wishes for the late legend. Likewise, close friend and former rival, Allen Iverson, penned an emotional letter to him through Players Tribune, titled “Dear Kobe.”

He starts the letter by talking about when he realized Kobe was destined for greatness. “The first time I saw you going up against Black Jesus (Michael Jordan) 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.”

Michael Jordan has been Iverson’s favorite player, and he has always recognized the latter as the greatest player. But while talking about the second greatest player, Iverson picked Bryant. “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.”

Iverson talks about his rivalry with Kobe Bryant

Iverson and Kobe were two of the fiercest competitors. Back in the early 2000s, they were the best players in the league, and every time they faced each other, it would be fireworks. But this rivalry was strictly on-court and off-court they were still close friends.

“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.”

Towards the end, he mentioned that he and other fans of Kobe across the world will still tear up thinking about the late legend. But they will also smile and relish the memories left behind by Kobe. “We’re still gonna cry sometimes when we remember that you’re really gone. But we gonna smile like a motherf***er when we think of the memories.”

Like Iverson, millions of fans across the worldwide are still mourning Bryant’s death. It has been seven months since he passed away, but it still seems like yesterday.