Stephen Curry

Jeremy Lin played a season in Golden State next to Stephen Curry and spoke of the future MVP's belief in himself even when the coach often benched him.

That has set Lin up financially and, more importantly, given him a platform to speak out on social issues, such as the racism Asians face in America. Those bad ankles led to a below-market rookie contract extension that, in some ways, financially set up the Warriors dynasty. I thought, ‘Imagine when this guy gets a couple more years of experience under his belt, and really gets the reins, the keys to the franchise, what he will be able to do’.”