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Stephen Curry · Missed shot attempts seldom make one’s highlight reel, particularly ones in the game’s opening minute. But, as Stephen Curry raced the floor, eager to introduce the NBA’s fastest-paced team to its perfect deep-range complement, the make-or-mess result mattered much less than the underlying message: the Association’s new fearless, limitless sniper had officially arrived. A game-changing offensive hub from his career’s literal first play, Curry — with an added step or five behind the 3-point line in future seasons — immediately demonstrated what would someday solidify his Hall of Fame candidacy. Accurate on anything leaving his hands, be it a trademark pull-up or a pass to keep the Golden State Warriors’ team-first offense energized, Curry’s debut proved memorable, especially during a 12-point, six-of-six shooting flurry during a final-quarter comeback attempt against the Houston Rockets. Unknowing of his starting role until hours before October 28, 2009’s tip-off, Curry electrified nonetheless, capturing 14 points (on 7-of-12 shooting), seven assists, and four steals (three in the first seven minutes). Wearing the “Curry” name proudly in creating league history’s 24th-ever father-son tandem, the No. 7 pick set the rookie pace as the Rookie of the Year runner-up, with every award his imagination could conjure arriving years later. · State of Mint