When the Rockets and Warriors face off in the Western Conference finals starting Monday, Golden State star Stephen Curry and Houston's Chris Paul probably won't spend time reminiscing about the old days.
But Curry hasn't forgotten the big role Paul played as his mentor almost a decade ago.
Curry said Paul had an influence early in his career after the two worked out together in the summer of 2009 when Curry was taken seventh overall by Golden State in the NBA Draft.
“He’s a great mentor when it came to understanding how a guy on his level prepared over the summer for an NBA season,” Curry said Friday (via the East Bay Times). “How disciplined he was, his work ethic, I got to see that first-hand after summer league through the beginning of the season.”
Curry credits Paul for teaching him how to prepare heading into his rookie year and helping his career start on a positive note.
“He demonstrated first-hand what it takes to be great in this league,” Curry said. “It was a nice little eye opener that summer, to work out against him, compete against him. Take that confidence I have into my rookie year and get off on a good foot.”
Paul will be making his first appearance in the conference finals while Curry has led the Warriors to three straight NBA Finals, with championships in 2015 and 2017.
