[Scottoant93Participant]

Pacers’ Stephenson tries to grow on court, off

‘There are too many temptations’ in New York, so guard trains in Indy

Aug 3, 2011  |  

34 Comments

 

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Lance Stephenson, pictured during a March 1 game, might play overseas if the lockout drags. / Matt Kryger / The Star

Written by

Mike Wells
[email protected]

• Filed Under
• Sports
• Pacers
• Larry Bird
• Conseco Fieldhouse

 

WHITESTOWN, Ind. — Lance Stephenson took off up the court with the ball. He dribbled between his legs, then behind his back before swishing a 17-foot jump shot.

Indiana Pacers president Larry Bird and coach Frank Vogel weren’t off to the side watching during a workout last week. The only Pacers items inside the church gymnasium were the practice T-shirt and shorts Stephenson wore alongside other NBA and college players.

The second-year guard doesn’t have the Pacers coaching staff pushing him through workouts because the NBA’s lockout forbids teams from talking to players. Players aren’t permitted to use team facilities, either.

Bird referred to Stephenson as the team’s "best player" in June and there’s a lot of optimism about the prospect of Stephenson maturing on and off the court during what could be a longer offseason.

But the 20-year-old who had just one season of college basketball at Cincinnati is also one of the players team officials worry about the most during the lockout because all lines of communication are cut off.

"It’s very hard not being able to talk to those guys," Stephenson said during his most extensive interview since joining the Pacers in June 2010. "I like to keep in contact with everybody so I can show them how hard I’m working to be one of the best players on the team and help the team win."

Stephenson is spending most of the summer in Indianapolis to ensure he doesn’t let down Bird.

He’s not living in New York because, as he put it, "there are too many temptations to hang out and get off track back at home. It’s all about basketball while living here."

Stephenson was involved in a legal issue in Brooklyn, N.Y., last summer. Prosecutors said he pushed his girlfriend down a flight of stairs during an early morning argument. The case was dismissed earlier this year.

Before the July 1 lockout, Stephenson worked out with assistant coach Dan Burke at Conseco Fieldhouse on a regular basis and has since been training at Ed Schilling’s basketball academy, doing strength and conditioning work at St. Vincent Sports Performance and playing in the Pro Am Summer League at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis.

"Everybody thinks I’m immature, but I’m going to prove that’s not me," Stephenson said. "I like when somebody puts pressure on me. I take that as a motivation."

Attitude adjustment

Many affiliated with the Pacers organization agree with Bird in saying Stephenson is near the top of the roster talent-wise.

But Stephenson learned last season that there’s more to being a successful pro than dribbling a ball and making midrange jump shots.

He didn’t handle constructive criticism from his teammates well. He’d counter their comments — some helpful, others sarcastic — by being standoffish.

"I took it as they were trying to pick on a rookie and making me do all the little stuff," Stephenson said. "They made me do extra stuff to pick on me. I didn’t want to do stuff like taking Gatorade to the bus, and I used to tell them that. Coming from New York, you learn not to take any mess."

It was that same attitude that cost Stephenson playing time in the playoffs.

He was demoted to the fourth point guard on the roster after he violated team rules in early April.

Stephenson missed an opportunity to play against the Chicago Bulls in their first-round series because starting point guard Darren Collison sprained his ankle.

Stephenson wouldn’t disclose what he did but said his teammates tried to warn him before he got into trouble.

"That could have been the moment where everybody could’ve felt how they feel about me now," Stephenson said. "I didn’t take it as my teammates were trying to help me until the end of the season. That’s when I figured out they were trying to help me. I had mistakes — I have to learn from it and get better at it."

Going forward

Stephenson’s agent is trying to negotiate an overseas contract for his client.

Agent Al Ebanks wants Stephenson to get experience because his NBA resume consists of a mere 114 minutes in 12 games.

"Going overseas is important based on the fact that there’s no end in sight to the lockout," Ebanks said. "Lance wants to stay in shape. The holdup is that we’re working on a clause that the minute the lockout is lifted, he can go back to the NBA. He’s worked his entire life to play in the NBA."

Stephenson will continue to work out in Indianapolis if he doesn’t get an overseas deal.

"The biggest thing with him is trying to improve his handles so he can become more of a true point guard," Schilling said. "I think he can be a solid scoring guard, but in order for him to have more of an impact, I think it has to be as a point guard because his size (6-5, 210) and strength can allow him to be special there."

The Pacers expect Stephenson to compete for a rotation spot in a backcourt that has Collison, Paul George, A.J. Price, George Hill and Brandon Rush.

"I’m going to continue working hard, like every day is my last day so when the lockout is over, it’s an easy transition back for me," Stephenson said. "Last year was a learning experience. Now I want to prove to the team that I’m physically and mentally ready to help us win games."

http://www.indystar.com/article/20110803/SPORTS04/108030318/Stephenson-tries-grow-court-off

 

[hiphopismylifeParticipant]

Great find. I can see where Bird gets that from because he does things that nobody else can on that roster, but he still has far to go.

He showed flashes last year. I’m really anxious to see what he can do as a nightly rotation player.

[hiphopismylifeParticipant]

Great find. I can see where Bird gets that from because he does things that nobody else can on that roster, but he still has far to go.

He showed flashes last year. I’m really anxious to see what he can do as a nightly rotation player.

[franfranParticipant]

 I see light at the end of the tunnel for Stephenson

[franfranParticipant]

 I see light at the end of the tunnel for Stephenson

[JNixonParticipant]

Lets hope he actually matures now. I heard alot of this same stuff after he left Cincy, but at least he’s not going back to New York because it is a big temptation for him. I’ve always liked him as a talent, but he will need to continue to get mature to become the player he could be.

[JNixonParticipant]

Lets hope he actually matures now. I heard alot of this same stuff after he left Cincy, but at least he’s not going back to New York because it is a big temptation for him. I’ve always liked him as a talent, but he will need to continue to get mature to become the player he could be.

[LazarusMunozParticipant]

i like those Nikes hes wearing what r they called?

[LazarusMunozParticipant]

i like those Nikes hes wearing what r they called?

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

Stephenson probably has more talent than anyone on the roster, but he’s definitely not the "best player" on the roster.

I can see why Bird is high on him though. He’s super talented and dynamic with the ball in his hands. He brings a swag and confidence to the team that it hasn’t seen in a long time. During summer league, it looked like he was the lottery pick. I really like him as a player.

I’m interested to see if he’ll be able to get in the rotation. He’s not very good without the ball in his hands, so he’ll definitely have to play point guard. Collison is going to start. Hill is a combo, so he’ll be able to play both backcourt spots. P. George will play at the two, but he’ll definitely play the three when Granger is on the bench or playing the four. That leaves some minutes for Stephenson in the backcourt, but he’ll have to beat out Price. Price won’t give his spot up easy though.

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

Stephenson probably has more talent than anyone on the roster, but he’s definitely not the "best player" on the roster.

I can see why Bird is high on him though. He’s super talented and dynamic with the ball in his hands. He brings a swag and confidence to the team that it hasn’t seen in a long time. During summer league, it looked like he was the lottery pick. I really like him as a player.

I’m interested to see if he’ll be able to get in the rotation. He’s not very good without the ball in his hands, so he’ll definitely have to play point guard. Collison is going to start. Hill is a combo, so he’ll be able to play both backcourt spots. P. George will play at the two, but he’ll definitely play the three when Granger is on the bench or playing the four. That leaves some minutes for Stephenson in the backcourt, but he’ll have to beat out Price. Price won’t give his spot up easy though.

[TheLastWordParticipant]

"I took it as they were trying to pick on a rookie and making me do all the little stuff," Stephenson said. "They made me do extra stuff to pick on me. I didn’t want to do stuff like taking Gatorade to the bus, and I used to tell them that. Coming from New York, you learn not to take any mess."

 

Something tells me Lance would not last one week playing overseas. The culture, the tough coaches, it would be a disaster for him.

[TheLastWordParticipant]

"I took it as they were trying to pick on a rookie and making me do all the little stuff," Stephenson said. "They made me do extra stuff to pick on me. I didn’t want to do stuff like taking Gatorade to the bus, and I used to tell them that. Coming from New York, you learn not to take any mess."

 

Something tells me Lance would not last one week playing overseas. The culture, the tough coaches, it would be a disaster for him.

[iguapops420Participant]

 Perfect spot for him to grow up and mature. Did wonders for Jennings,Dunigan, and seemingly Tyler.

[iguapops420Participant]

 Perfect spot for him to grow up and mature. Did wonders for Jennings,Dunigan, and seemingly Tyler.

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