OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) - Typically when Dell Curry calls a Charlotte Bobcats game, opposing players are referred to by their last names on the broadcast.
Not this Friday night with one special Golden State guard: Curry's rookie son, Stephen. Dell Curry insists in this case it will be "Steph."
Makes sense.
"I'm his son," Stephen Curry said.
Dell Curry is one proud dad and is looking forward to this unique opportunity.
"I'll be as professional and unbiased as I can, but he is my son," Dell Curry said Wednesday, watching from a seat along the baseline as his son shot jumpers during warmups before Golden State's game against New Orleans. "We do a lot of Steph updates on our broadcasts because he's from Charlotte. It's definitely going to be odd."
Father and son circled this game after Stephen Curry was drafted seventh overall by the Warriors out of Davidson back in June - and also the younger Curry's return to his hometown of Charlotte on March 6.
He was selected to the All-Star Game's Rookie Challenge on Wednesday and was averaging 25 points, 5.8 rebounds and 5.4 assists over his previous five games heading into Wednesday night's home matchup with New Orleans.
"It's going to be really fun for me to be a part of the best rookies in our class," the younger Curry said. "It's an honor to be a part of. Historically, rookies haven't done too well."
Dell Curry got the night off after Charlotte's game Tuesday at Phoenix. So he arrived in the Bay Area early to catch Wednesday night's game from the stands.
"I'm just happy to be here as a dad tonight," said Dell Curry, who watched his son live for the fourth time. "It's been a good week for him, a good day for him."
Dell Curry spent 16 years in the NBA with five teams, 10 of those with the Charlotte Hornets, and still offers his insight when his son asks. They speak several times a week, and Dell stays up until the wee hours watching his son's West Coast games after he's done broadcasting the Bobcats.
He often gets to bed at 2:30 a.m. and has a tough time winding down after all that basketball.
Stephen Curry is learning the ways of the NBA just fine in his first professional season. When he does call his dad, they usually talk about other things than basketball.
"I was a basketball kid. I've been doing this all my life," Stephen Curry said. "Even though he did play 16 years in the NBA, it's stuff I can figure out on my own."
Another side note Friday will be former Warriors swingman Stephen Jackson's return to Oracle Arena for the first time since Golden State traded him to Charlotte in November.
"It's going to be interesting," Stephen Curry said. "I'm looking forward to it and playing against him. He's put the Bobcats in a great place right now."