Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images

Stephen Curry remembers his ‘Welcome to the NBA’ lesson from Kobe Bryant

Originally posted on HITC | By Aaditya Krishnamurthy | Last updated Sep 12, 2025 10:03 AM ET

Stephen Curry spoke about his first matchup with Kobe Bryant and how it shaped him to survive and thrive in the NBA.

Though not many people saw Stephen Curry’s rise to NBA stardom coming, there was one person who did – Kobe Bryant.

Kobe read Curry’s game early on, impressed by his ability to take over a game. In many ways, Bryant saw parts of himself in Curry.

But that didn’t mean he went easy on him. During Curry’s rookie year, Kobe put him through a tough test on the court.

Even though Curry has taken on a similar role later in his career, it was Kobe who first showed him what it takes to last in the NBA.

How Kobe Bryant gave Stephen Curry his first real taste of the NBA

Stephen Curry was a guest on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, where the conversation turned to his first experience facing Kobe Bryant.

Curry spoke about how physical Bryant was with him, something he wasn’t fully prepared for at the time. After failing to get a call from the referee, Curry watched as Bryant hit a classic midrange jumper, giving him an early lesson in what NBA life is like.

“I got switched onto him; he was giving me those body blows with his elbows… I’m in awe of him… My naive self is looking at the refs asking for a call like they’re gonna give me a call over Kobe Bryant,” Curry said.

“Then he caught the ball, did a little left shoulder fadeaway and just ran down the court. I was like ‘Alright, welcome to the NBA.’”

Kobe made it a point late in his career to test young players entering the league. Over time, Curry proved himself and earned that respect.

Stephen Curry has stepped into a similar role to the one Kobe Bryant held

Years down the line, it’s Curry who’s now in the position of challenging up-and-coming stars, seeing how they measure up and helping set the tone for their early careers.

Unlike Kobe, who could be pretty tough in his approach, Curry has taken a more supportive route. He’s often seen offering encouragement rather than pushing players with physicality or intensity.

Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

Derrick White recently mentioned that Curry had given him some positive feedback on his shooting. It shows that Curry is still finding ways to influence and support younger players even as he gets older.

With his playing days winding down, there’s a sense that Curry is ready to help usher in the next generation of point guards. It seems like he’s looking to hand over his role to whoever steps up next.

This article first appeared on HITC and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: