Stephen Curry had the advantage of being the son of an NBA legend who was a top-notch shooter in the NBA before being a sniper was cool. Therefore, Curry learned the fundamentals of shooting from his father, Dell Curry, at a young age. Because of his father’s job, Steph also had the opportunity to play with NBA players as a child.

But getting the best out of a former NBA player when you haven’t even hit puberty yourself is simply impossible. Although Steph once did something very similar.

When Eddie Johnson appeared for an interview with PHNX Sports recently, He told the story of his one-on-one duel with then-7-year-old Steph. Playing outside in the yard, Johnson recalled how he almost lost to the future sharpshooter when he was still an NBA player with the Hornets.

“I say, ‘Stop,’ and he’s used to the outside ring. You know, outside ring, buddy, kind of bent over, the wind’s blowing and he goes in. Man, I look up. We’re playing a game to 10, this guy is up seven to zero. I said, ‘Stop now.’ I’m in the NBA and I was the best shooter in the game, OK? … Man, I went at him the old style. I started pushing him back and laying the ball.”

Johnson played in the league for over 17 years and averaged 47.2% shooting from the field, 33.5% from the three-point line and 84% from the free throw line, making the 17-year veteran one of the best shooters in the league.

However, a rattling basket that favored one side did wonders for young Steph. Although Johnson was an NBA veteran at the time, the strong wind and the basket nearly caused a blowout.

With Steph leading 7-0 and about to tie the game, Johnson had bragging rights. And once the then-Hornets guard realized he was about to lose, the former sixth man resorted to tried-and-true tactics to gain the upper hand.

“Yes @StephenCurry30 almost hit me when he was 7 years old in his driveway when I was a member of the @hornets. I went to play senior men’s basketball and ditched him. True story.”

Johnson played for the Hornets for a single season in 1994, sharing the court with Steph’s father, Dell. The two guards developed a strong bond. Both players got to know each other’s families during that short season and still cherish the bond they built during that time.