Regardless of what team he was on, Tony Allen proved to be a tough nut to crack, says Lakers star Kobe Bryant Andrew D. Bernstein/Getty Images

Kobe Bryant vs. Tony Allen: "Best defender I ever faced"

Originally posted on Sportsnaut | By Jesse Reed | Last updated 2/27/16

Kobe Bryant paid Tony Allen the ultimate compliment after the Memphis Grizzlies took down the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night. Bryant gave the rival guard an autographed pair of white sneakers after the game as a show of respect.

Allen tweeted out a picture of the signed shoes, which included a note from Bryant, which read: “To Tony, the best defender I ever faced!”

Anyone who has followed Bryant over the years knows he doesn’t casually dish out these types of compliments. Allen has engaged in many battles with Bryant in his 12 seasons as a pro, including the epic seven-game NBA Championship series at the end of the 2009-10 season in which Bryant’s Lakers overcame Allen’s Boston Celtics. Allen’s defense has been highlighted throughout his career by his three selections to the NBA All-Defensive first team and one to the second team. Bryant and the Lakers will face Memphis once more before the season is concluded when the Grizzlies come back to Staples Center on March 22. Next up on his farewell tour is another home game on March 1 when the Brooklyn Nets come to town.

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