Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry are two of the most crucial performers for the Golden State Warriors as they take on Cleveland in the closing of the NBA betting season, but their families have known each other far longer. They first encountered each other in 1986, when the San Antonio Spurs came into town to play the Utah Jazz. The Utah bench featured a 6’5” rookie with a reputation as a quick shooter – Dell Curry. However, at the time Curry was the fourth guard, behind Bobby Hansen, Ricky Green, and a young John Stockton. Guarding Curry was Mychal Thompson.
Thompson knew that if Curry got any open space he would be jacking up his deadly jump shot, and so Thompson made it his mission to stop the second team, which Curry would be piloting. However, Curry won that battle, scoring 17 points in 17 minutes, going 7 for 12 and knocking down a three pointer. Thompson came away from the game swearing that Curry could catch the ball and shoot it without even having to look at the basket. Thompson, though, countered with 15 points of his own in 22 minutes, going 7 for 14 and nailing the only three-pointer of his 13 years in the NBA.
