Long before he became known as “Steph’s dad,” Dell Curry enjoyed a 16-year career in the NBA while being known as one of the deadliest 3-point shooters to ever touch a basketball. He is now a color commentator for the Charlotte Bobcats on their TV broadcasts.
I was able to chat with Dell for a few minutes yesterday in between drills at the Stephen/Dell Curry Father/Son ProCamp at St. Ignatius College Prep in San Francisco where we touched on a few things including Steph’s recovery from offseason surgery and how it feels to finally be a grandpa.
WarriorsWorld: Does being here remind you of the times when Steph was growing up and you were playing with him as a little kid?
Dell Curry: Oh yeah. We bonded with each other. We had a lot fun on the basketball court, obviously. But more so, he would follow me around to practice and games. I told the parents obviously it’s a great time to be able to share this experience with your son and also use the time to create an even stronger bond than you have now.
WW: What do you think Steph took away the most from growing up around the NBA?
DC: The work that it takes to get there and stay there. Last couple of years he’s rehabbed a lot; he saw me go through that. Everything that he’s experienced thus far, he saw me go through it and obviously every person is different but I think it gave him a little insight on what to expect even though he had to experience it on his own.
WW: How hard was it for you as a father to watch what he had to go through last season?
DC: Very hard, anytime your son gets injured. And most important, he’s not able to do the thing he loves to do. That’s the one thing he really loves — play basketball and being out there with his teammates. I think that was kind of a detriment in itself in that he reinjured himself so quickly because he didn’t let it heal properly. It was very hard, very tough on all of us knowing he couldn’t do what he loved to do.
WW: It looks like he definitely took more time in terms of rehabbing and waiting to get back on the court at the right time. Does he look 100% to you?
DC: Absolutely. He worked hard on his rehab. Thankful that it wasn’t a major surgery, just a really good clean out. [He was] able to take his time to rehabbing before getting back on the floor, not rushing it again so he’s 100% healthy, cleared by the doctors and ready to go.
WW: How is it being a grandfather?
DC: It’s the best, man. It’s the best. I can’t wait until she gets a little older when she can actually play around a little bit. A lot of eating and sleeping now.
WW: Does she recognize you yet?
DC: I think she recognizes people now. If I move, she’ll follow me but obviously no idea who I am. And we’re worried about that too. We’re on the East Coast and her being out West. We’ll probably have a lot more trips out here.
WW: Your quick thoughts on [the Bobcats’ second-overall pick] Michael Kidd-Gilchrist?
DC: I like him. He’s gonna be a good player. He’s a hard worker. Him and the other guys that work as hard as he does with the skill set are gonna be good players in the league. The Bobcats obviously have some improving to do but drafting him that means a good start.
I wonder if he shows the same amount of love and attention to his other son Seth, who’s currently playing at Duke, as much as he does for Stephen. It’s a fair question!
OK, where are all the “Curry wants to play on the east coast” rumor starters? Come on, i know you’re out there.
Thankfully the Warriors have a seemingly good thing going, and i think Steph recognizes that, and will sign (not sure when.)
But i’d agree Del saying what he said could make one worry, if we didn’t look good moving forward. I think under those circumstances it’d have made sense for a player with Steph’s circumstances…to look for a new, better fit with a club near his folks and area he loves.
Should be interesting, obviously. If we can all look back at Curry’s ankle issues as things of the past he could end up quite good. He’s so smooth and efficient shooting, the fact he does do other things well (and some not) makes him potentially elite, not as a physical game changer, but crafty killer who can lead a team.