Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson sat in their getaway car, almost uncertain what to do next. They had just sneaked into Steve Kerr's house, into his very bedroom, and stolen the magical three-point shooting amulet which he had been wearing around his neck. Now that they had the enchanted object, they realized that neither of them had formulated a plan on what to do after this point. "So, who gets it first?" Klay asked. "I mean, we can't both wear it." "I know that, idiot," Stephen snapped. "I should get first dibs because I'm the one who came up with the plan to steal it in the first place." "But you didn't even know what we were stealing!" Klay protested. "You said it yourself when we got in there and stood in his foyer like two dummies." "Yeah, but you're such a wimp that you didn't even want to try and find out what gave Kerr his skills," Stephen rebutted. "You doubted that such a fantastic artifact could even exist!" Klay crossed his arms across his chest and flumped back into his seat. "C'mon Steph! you're such a good three-point shooter already!" he whined. Stephen sighed and handed his teammate the amulet. "Fine. Let's not argue about this. We'll both get to use it, anyway." --- Steve Kerr awoke as he usually did: totally naked, resting on top of the sheets, and annoyed at the inability of his blinds to keep out the invasive rays of the morning sun. But there was something amiss, and Steve immediately realized what it was. The amulet had gone missing! Immediately sitting up and swinging his legs over the side of the bed, Steve's eyes darted all around his bedroom. The glowing golden radiance that the amulet gave off would be hard to detect in the sunlight, but it still should have caught his eye among the drab carpeting and spartan furniture. There was no trace of it. He knew that if he had removed the amulet from his body, it would have gone in the one place that he had deemed secure enough to contain it: a safe under his bed. Although he did not remember placing it there, he checked anyway. Just as he suspected would be the case, the magical necklace was not there. The only other possibility was that it had been taken from him. His family members knew of its power, and would dare not touch it, which left only burglars as the culprit. Steve's brain frantically puzzled over the situation. Who would desecrate the sanctity of his home to steal the three-point amulet? Who would desire it so greatly to violate every tenet of base human decency? Suddenly, it came to him. Steph and Klay. --- The year was 1998. It was another victory for the Chicago Bulls, this time against the powerhouse Indiana Pacers. He had not had a productive game, but it had not mattered, as Jordan had once again carried the team on his back. Steve walked through the hallways of the Pacers' arena, pleased with the victory and thinking towards the next game against Vancouver. "Hey Steve! Wait up!" shouted a familiar voice that could only belong to Larry Bird, the Pacers' coach. "What's up, Larry?" Steve greeted, feeling a little confused. Him and Larry had never really been on speaking terms. Larry looked around as if to confirm that nobody was eavesdropping. When he was satisfied that they were alone, he said, "I've got a big favor to ask of you, not even a favor really, and you're not going to believe me when I tell you." Steve laughed. "It can't be that weird. Remember, I play with Dennis Rodman. Go ahead." Removing a necklace from underneath his suit and collared shirt, Larry held it in front of him by the chain. The amulet at the base of the chain glowed with more than just the reflected light of the fluorescents above them. "Oh, cool, a necklace," Steve said, trying to sound cheery despite his befuddlement. Why would Larry give him a gift like this? But when he went to take it, Larry snatched it away. "Not just any necklace, Steve. This is the magical three-point amulet," Larry whispered. "The what?" "You heard correctly. The possessor of the amulet is granted three-point shooting ability well beyond the reach of mortals. However, its ownership comes with a dire price! The one who wears it will find that minor injuries occur more often, that his body becomes more fragile with each passing day. It has ruined my back, it ended my career. Its power corrupts! If I do not rid myself of it soon, it could end my life. But you are young and strong. It should be yours." "How long did you have it?" "I have possessed it since its forging, some nineteen years ago, the same time the league instituted the three-point line. Now take it, quickly! Before someone happens upon us! Do not speak a word of this to anybody!" Steve now took the amulet, and before he could say another word, Larry bustled off. Slipping it around his neck, Steve knew that his life had just changed monumentally. But for the better or for the worse, he did not know. Part II: http://youtu.be/y3n064B2Cd8

• published: 02 May 2015
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