OAKLAND -- Stephen Curry's first contact with Kobe Bryant came when he was a 19-year-old sophomore at Davidson College. He attended Bryant's annual skills camp in Orange County and soaked in whatever knowledge he could from a player who had already established himself as an NBA icon.
"That was when I was a shooting guard, so it was pretty cool," said Curry, grinning.Curry paid a poignant tribute to the Los Angeles Lakers star following Warriors practice Tuesday in advance of Bryant's final appearance at Oracle Arena Thursday night. He also reflected on the first time he ever stepped on a court to play against Kobe, and how his heart was pounding going against a player he had watched so many times growing up.