Authentic classic moments are never forgotten, regardless of the year, especially if it involves Steph Curry and Kobe Bryant.
A video of the late, great Kobe Bryant giving a young Steph Curry accolades resurfaced on Thursday after Curry discussed the incident on the “Point Forward” podcast with Warriors colleague Andre Iguodala and co-host Evan Turner in March.
It was Curry’s first season when the Warriors played the Los Angeles Lakers at Oracle Arena.
“I notice a peacefulness about him,” Bryant observed. “I believe it’s something that many players don’t grasp.” Most fans, I believe, will find it difficult to grasp what I’m saying. Most players don’t realize it, but he exudes a highly lethal profound tranquillity. He’s not up because he’s not down. He’s not thinking about what just happened or worried about what’s to come. He’s simply standing there.”
During the fourth quarter, the Lakers great sat on the bench while Curry did everything he could to reduce the Warriors’ lead.
“I remember they were beating us by ten or twelve points, but I kept going,” Curry stated on the show. “I hit a transition three, then came back and hit this little spin move before taking a step back off the glass.”
“Then he went on to talk about that quiet killer instinct,” Curry remembered, adding, “that it doesn’t have to be ‘rah-rah’ talking trash in your face, but it’s something you see in your eyes and the way you move that comes out, and he appreciated and acknowledged it.” That was the ultimate gas in the tank for me. I’ve always had it, but it’s a different feeling, a different level when you’re playing against the pros.
Curry, now a four-time NBA champion, not only remembers Bryant’s comments but lives by them.
“We were chatting two years ago during the All-Star Game, and he was talking about his competitiveness and simply his want to be great,” Curry said. “His main point is that, as a teammate, you want the best for your colleagues. He couldn’t care less if his teammates liked him at the time. He expected greatness from them if he got on them, shouted at them, or anything. They always recognized his contribution to the squad if they won the title. That merely demonstrated his determination and passion for winning.”
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