"I've got to call Dirk Nowitzki. He went through it" - How Stephen Curry reacted to being called "soft" in 2013

During Stephen Curry 's high school years and early days in the league, the NBA superstar faced a lot of criticism for being too small and light. One label that particularly stood out for him was being called "soft."

This became particularly noticeable during the 2013 NBA playoffs when opponents capitalized on Steph's biggest flaw. In response, the legendary point guard mentioned someone who had faced similar challenges and had successfully overcome that reputation.

"I've got to call Dirk Nowitzki. He went through that. Everyone said he was soft, and then he finally won a ring, and it went away," said Curry, per San Francisco Chronicle.

Could Curry handle the playoff pressure?

Long before all the accolades the Golden State Warriors amassed, things looked quite different. In the 2012-13 season, Steph was just a few months into being the team's primary offensive player after the front office had shipped off fellow guard Monta Ellis. That move paved the way for 'Chef Curry' to shine, and the 2009 first-round pick repaid that faith by achieving career highs in scoring (22.9) and assists (6.9).

When playoffs arrived, it was the perfect platform for the Davidson product to prove himself. Naturally, the Dubs' first-round opponents, the Denver Nuggets, were determined to stop him at all costs. Consequently, they defended him aggressively and physically, later stating that the Ohio native was soft.

"I guess I can't smile, and I can't laugh," responded Curry. "I weigh 185 pounds, so when I get hit by a 230-pounder, my natural body reaction might make me look a little soft."

From soft to champion

Dirk Nowitzki knows a thing or two about being labeled the same way.b Despite his impressive performances for the Mavericks, he faced that criticism for years. This skepticism began early when he was often tagged as a " soft European player ."

In 2006, the German basketball icon and his Dallas teammates reached the NBA Finals but lost to Miami. The following year, they suffered a surprising first-round exit against the eighth-seeded Warriors, fueling the belief that the "soft" Nowitzki would crumble under pressure.

However, the 2007 MVP eventually silenced all the doubters during the Texan franchise's legendary 2011 playoff run. 'Dirty' averaged 27.7 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 2.5 assists, leading his team to the Finals. Facing the star-studded Miami Heat in the championship series, Dallas won the title after six games.

From this moment on, as Curry put it, all the doubts about Nowitzki "went away. " The same can be said for him, as he took a similarly impressive path to success in the Bay Area.

Related: Ex-Kings assistant on Michael Jordan's defensive abilities: "If he only had to score 15 or 16 a game, he'd be the best on defense"