For seven special seasons, Steph Curry and Kobe Bryant were Western Conference foes that went head-to-head on an annual basis.
While Tuesday marked what would have been Bryant’s 44th birthday, Wednesday is now celebrated as Mamba Day on 8/24, an homage to his jersey numbers with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Here’s a look back at some of the most memorable moments between Steph and Kobe:
Steph drops 47 in thriller
Steph and Kobe went head-to-head 15 times in the regular season, with Kobe’s Lakers going 9-6 in those matchups, according to Land of Basketball.
The two stars never combined for more points (81) than on April 12, 2013, as Steph dropped 47 and Kobe scored 34. It was an intense matchup at Staples Center that went down to the wire, as Klay Thompson hit a go-ahead 3-pointer with 1:24 left but the Lakers hit three late free throws to win the game.
Curry launched an 80-foot prayer as time expired, and it would have counted, but the ball rimmed out as the crowd let out a heavy sigh of relief. An epic duel from Steph and Kobe.
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Kobe shows Steph respect after 3
The motor never stopped with Kobe. Every game was a chance for him to try and assert dominance, even if it was a preseason matchup.
In a 2014 exhibition against the Warriors, Kobe tried to lock up a then 26-year-old Steph from beyond half court. Curry accepted the challenge and drained a tough 3-pointer, getting a pat from a smiling Kobe on the way back down the court.
That’s major respect from the Mamba.
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2016 All-Star Game
Curry got the chance to lace ‘em up with Kobe in his final All-Star Game in 2016.
This joint Q&A Steph did with Kobe is particularly nostalgic, because they’re getting interviewed by the late, legendary broadcaster Craig Sager. Kobe noted that Steph was only about nine years old when he was playing in his third All-Star Game.
“It’s a trip,” Bryant said. “It’s a huge blessing to be here and have competed against his father, and see what he’s become and how he’s developed and what he’ll continue to do.”
Kobe and Steph were the two-leading vote-getters that year, something Curry said he cherished.
“This is amazing,” Steph said. “You talk about how much he means to the game. As a young guy watching him throughout his career and all he’s accomplished, to be a part of his last run at All-Star and all the fans honoring him and all the players honoring him for the things he’s done for the game. It’s in a much better place and we’re thankful for that.”
Likewise, Kobe said he was eager to play alongside Steph instead of against him.
“I wanna see him actually shoot the ball and be on my team,” Bryant said. “Shooter’s shoot, man. I didn’t come here to watch him pass the ball all the damn time. Shoot the ball, I wanna see it on my side for once.”
After the game, Curry got Kobe to sign a jersey for him in the locker room.
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Steph remembers Kobe
The world was shocked on Jan. 26, 2020, when we learned Kobe Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter Gigi and seven others died in a helicopter accident in Los Angeles.
Later that week, Steph gave an emotional interview to TNT’s Allie LaForce about Kobe’s impact
“There’s not a lot that you can say about how much Kob meant on and off the floor,” Curry said. “You see the outpouring of videos and the way he embraced his kids every chance he could and the way he shared his career and love with each and every single one of us.”
Before his death, Kobe had become a champion of promoting women’s basketball, driven by Gigi’s interest in the game. Now Steph has stepped into a similar role while raising his two daughters, keeping that legacy alive.
