Stephen Curry recalls DRAINING a 30-ft DAGGER on Kobe Bryant, “At halftime, I’m like I need that clip”

Kobe Bryant, the late NBA legend, once expressed admiration for Stephen Curry's basketball prowess.

Stephen Curry recalls DRAINING a 30-ft DAGGER on Kobe Bryant, “At halftime, I’m like I need that clip”

Stephen Curry and Kobe Bryant (Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

Stephen Curry’s legacy in basketball is etched in history as one of the greatest players of all time. With his lethal shooting and baby-faced charm, he possesses a career resume that serves as the ultimate aspiration for NBA players. His impressive accolades include being a 4-time NBA Champion, 2-time NBA MVP, NBA Finals MVP, 9-time NBA All-Star, 2-time Scoring Champion, and the all-time leader in three-pointers made.

Before Curry’s phenomenal ascent in the league, the late and legendary Kobe Bryant was already an iconic player, having secured his fifth NBA Championship during Curry’s rookie season. According to Curry during a matchup between the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers, Bryant expressed his admiration for Curry’s skills, which held immense significance for the young player. Curry shared this heartfelt moment while speaking with Sean Evans on ‘Hot Ones.’

YouTube video

“It’s my rookie year. We were playing the Lakers at home… Kobe leans to the guy sitting next to him… and kinda mouths, ‘Yo, like he’s nice.’ That’s the dopest thing in the world. Kobe is validating your game”, said Curry. Bryant was not the easiest person to impress by any means considering the high standards he set for himself and his teammates during his playing days. His work ethic was second to none, and his drive to be great every single day made him successful.

FS Video

In a preseason game, Curry and Bryant engaged in a memorable matchup, with Bryant showcasing his defensive skills by pressuring Curry full court. Despite the defensive challenge, Curry got back up after being bumped and created space for himself. In a stunning display of his shooting, Curry confidently pulled up from about 30 feet away from the basket and sank the shot. Bryant couldn’t help but smile and tapped Curry on his backside.

“It was like the biggest ‘keep your cool’ kind of moment in your life cause It’s freaking Kobe, you’re trying to be super chill about it, and I just drained one from 30 on him after he picked me up…I went right back into half time and I was like ‘I need that clip'”, reminisced Curry.

Read more: Stephen Curry FIRES STERN WARNING to the rest of NBA ahead of new season

Stephen Curry modeled his game after Steve Nash and Reggie Miller

016b1 16902647985871 1920
Phoenix Suns and Indiana Pacers legends Steve Nash and Reggie Miller (Getty Images)

When you model your game after two of the most dead-eye shooters in NBA history, you are bound to achieve success. On ‘Hot Ones,’ Curry said that Steve Nash and Reggie Miller were two of the biggest influences on his game growing up. He added that Miller was a master at creating space without the ball and that he could never emulate his form, but he did pick up how he moved without the ball.

Stephen Curry shared a fascinating anecdote about his practice days with his brother Seth Curry, where they sought to imitate the methodical free throw routine of Miami Heat legend Alonzo Mourning. Mourning’s distinctive routine involved wiping off sweat and bouncing the ball 2-3 times before taking his shot, and the Curry brothers attempted to replicate it growing up. Today, Curry stands as the NBA’s all-time leader in free throw percentage.

In case you missed it: