Lance stephenson - NBADraft.net

This topic contains 34 replies, has 13 voices, and was last updated by Magic Jordan 9 years, 11 months ago.

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Posted on: Sat, 05/31/2014 - 8:14am #55912

valentine
Everybody saying this and that about him. I heard stories about Jordan trash talking entire games and punching teammates in the mouth. bruce bowen is now a sports analyst hes injured a couple of player even kicked one in the face. ron artest is bought in to make ballclubs more tougher along with a few other players.
without west or lance the pacers have no heart yeah I understand you have to look professional but when your on that court anything goes wrap arounds ,holding ,hard fouls,pay backs, anything tied to the emotions of the game and winning.
I feel as tho everyones down lances throat because hes one of the few players who challenged the beloved LeBron in recent history. if these lottery teams had half the will to win or toughness they wouldn’t be lotto teams and we are getting down on a player who we know has a playground game and that is what makes him successful. without lance they wouldn’t have had the best record in the east or even lasted this long against the heat. yes he needs to up his game but if theirs no ejections or ppl getting hurt whats the real problem ? everybody has opinions but they don’t have to play against LeBron…..
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Posted on: Sat, 05/31/2014 - 8:21am #911150

doubledribbler
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There is a huge difference between toughness and stupidity. I would say Lance was able to cost himself some money. The guy already had some huge character concerns coming in the league. He worked to change that perception, now teams are wondering if he changed and if a big pile of money and bigger role are going to bring out bad Lance.
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Posted on: Sat, 05/31/2014 - 8:21am #911021

doubledribbler
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There is a huge difference between toughness and stupidity. I would say Lance was able to cost himself some money. The guy already had some huge character concerns coming in the league. He worked to change that perception, now teams are wondering if he changed and if a big pile of money and bigger role are going to bring out bad Lance.
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Posted on: Sat, 05/31/2014 - 8:42am #911158

Neggedpastor
what did he do that was stupid? get on another players nerves? where in the rule books say you cant do that ? what has he done that’s not allowed? if lance cost his self money the pacers might have cost themselves lance if they don’t throw enough at him.
almost every starter has at least one technical or flagrant foul. you get six fouls to start a game with and im a firm believer of using some to send a message " nothing easy".
he did have concerns coming out but they were off court let him be great on court Paul George failed as a teammate and as a Pacer and as a friend when he said "I don’t know" when it came to lance returning. I see where the locker room issues come from funny personalities. lance may not be fan friendly but hes for the pacers and I do feel like he dug a hole for his self with the refs which changed the way things where called this series but I feel like we did also fans and commentators. complaining complaining complaining we may have changed how the series was called refs have ears. Now any physical contact between LeBron and lance from now on will be called foul no matter what.
If this wasn’t LeBron would this be a big of deal as it is? I dare anyone to answer that truthfully.

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Posted on: Sat, 05/31/2014 - 8:42am #911029

Neggedpastor
what did he do that was stupid? get on another players nerves? where in the rule books say you cant do that ? what has he done that’s not allowed? if lance cost his self money the pacers might have cost themselves lance if they don’t throw enough at him.
almost every starter has at least one technical or flagrant foul. you get six fouls to start a game with and im a firm believer of using some to send a message " nothing easy".
he did have concerns coming out but they were off court let him be great on court Paul George failed as a teammate and as a Pacer and as a friend when he said "I don’t know" when it came to lance returning. I see where the locker room issues come from funny personalities. lance may not be fan friendly but hes for the pacers and I do feel like he dug a hole for his self with the refs which changed the way things where called this series but I feel like we did also fans and commentators. complaining complaining complaining we may have changed how the series was called refs have ears. Now any physical contact between LeBron and lance from now on will be called foul no matter what.
If this wasn’t LeBron would this be a big of deal as it is? I dare anyone to answer that truthfully.

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Posted on: Sat, 05/31/2014 - 9:03am #911164

ibe12
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His antics aside I think the bigger problem I have with Lance Stephenson is that he plays stupid at times. He hurts his team way too much when he starts to over dribble and jack up shots from all over the court.
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Posted on: Sat, 05/31/2014 - 9:03am #911035

ibe12
Participant
His antics aside I think the bigger problem I have with Lance Stephenson is that he plays stupid at times. He hurts his team way too much when he starts to over dribble and jack up shots from all over the court.
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Posted on: Sat, 05/31/2014 - 9:10am #911166

Ballinmvp
Participant
My biggest gripe with lance is that he is so talented yet he lacks maturity. It’s really frustrating, he could be a Really good player. I think he is gone and won’t be a pacer next year, PG has already said that he doesn’t even know if he would like to see him back and he had irked Larry bird.
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Posted on: Sat, 05/31/2014 - 9:10am #911037

Ballinmvp
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My biggest gripe with lance is that he is so talented yet he lacks maturity. It’s really frustrating, he could be a Really good player. I think he is gone and won’t be a pacer next year, PG has already said that he doesn’t even know if he would like to see him back and he had irked Larry bird.
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- Posted on: Sat, 05/31/2014 - 2:42pm #911179
  
  tuck243
  Participant
  He made an entire sentence after saying he "don’t know"… Nothing about that said he doesn’t want Lance back…
  Lance had no one to back him up… PG isn’t that player, his demeanor is too quiet… Hibbert would like to blame Lance for everything that happened to the Pacers and he doesn’t understand he’s the issue…
  As far as Lance’s game… It really isn’t a smooth game… He hit shots that are ugly and misses shots that are easy… I have no issue with Lance over dribbling sometimes because he is their main creator… He forces you to pick him up on pick and rolls… He get a lot of open shots for David West on pick and pops.. George Hill plays so soft on those pick and rolls that he picks the ball up before trying to go all the way to the hole… Or even look for his shot and force the defense to react… Lance was the Pacers energy… They need that… Maybe they can get it from elsewhere next year, but he was the only one out there trying hard every play…
  
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- Posted on: Sat, 05/31/2014 - 2:42pm #911309
  
  tuck243
  Participant
  He made an entire sentence after saying he "don’t know"… Nothing about that said he doesn’t want Lance back…
  Lance had no one to back him up… PG isn’t that player, his demeanor is too quiet… Hibbert would like to blame Lance for everything that happened to the Pacers and he doesn’t understand he’s the issue…
  As far as Lance’s game… It really isn’t a smooth game… He hit shots that are ugly and misses shots that are easy… I have no issue with Lance over dribbling sometimes because he is their main creator… He forces you to pick him up on pick and rolls… He get a lot of open shots for David West on pick and pops.. George Hill plays so soft on those pick and rolls that he picks the ball up before trying to go all the way to the hole… Or even look for his shot and force the defense to react… Lance was the Pacers energy… They need that… Maybe they can get it from elsewhere next year, but he was the only one out there trying hard every play…
  
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Posted on: Sat, 05/31/2014 - 9:41am #911184

Pistol Pete. The Pelican
Participant
Lance did some funny stuff, some crazy stuff, but all of it has been done before. It’s all retreads he said it himself, people always did this stuff in the 90s but now there are more cameras and everything is caught. The media went crazy with it because he was doing it against Lebron and they needed something to write about. The funny thing is Lance had more headline’s last night than the Heat going to the finals for the 4th time.
The whole earblow thing, no one saw it in real time, everyone saw it when ESPN replayed it in slow motion after the fact.
I agree if your team asks you to stop, you stop, but Lance and David West are the only players on the team with heart. Everyone else, especially Roy Hibbert, are weak. Lance has a great all around game that’s still growing, he’s only 23, he’s a tenacious competitor, and he truly wants to win. You have to take the good with the bad.
Also to the people calling Lance a ball hog, ESPN wrote an insider article speaking of how the Pacers offensive numbers were best when Lance had the ball in his hands running the pick and roll, and how they played better when they got out and ran. That’s an ESPN Insider article written right after game 4, while all of this craziness is going on.
Roy Hibbert should be moved if possible. He’s mentally weak, he makes their offense worse. He slows them down, he can’t run the pick and roll, he has no post moves, he’s uncoordinated, and he can’t catch the ball. He needs a change of scenery. Build the team around Lance and the "He’s not yet a superstar" Paul George.

After the Bad Boys, 30 for 30, everyone was talking about how they wish the NBA was more like it was then, they wanted it to be tougher, and for players to talk trash, and compete no matter what. Well Bill Laimbeer and Dennis Rodman did some of those same things Lance did and worse, but in the new age when Lance does what you were just asking for, you have problems?
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Posted on: Sat, 05/31/2014 - 9:41am #911055

Pistol Pete. The Pelican
Participant
Lance did some funny stuff, some crazy stuff, but all of it has been done before. It’s all retreads he said it himself, people always did this stuff in the 90s but now there are more cameras and everything is caught. The media went crazy with it because he was doing it against Lebron and they needed something to write about. The funny thing is Lance had more headline’s last night than the Heat going to the finals for the 4th time.
The whole earblow thing, no one saw it in real time, everyone saw it when ESPN replayed it in slow motion after the fact.
I agree if your team asks you to stop, you stop, but Lance and David West are the only players on the team with heart. Everyone else, especially Roy Hibbert, are weak. Lance has a great all around game that’s still growing, he’s only 23, he’s a tenacious competitor, and he truly wants to win. You have to take the good with the bad.
Also to the people calling Lance a ball hog, ESPN wrote an insider article speaking of how the Pacers offensive numbers were best when Lance had the ball in his hands running the pick and roll, and how they played better when they got out and ran. That’s an ESPN Insider article written right after game 4, while all of this craziness is going on.
Roy Hibbert should be moved if possible. He’s mentally weak, he makes their offense worse. He slows them down, he can’t run the pick and roll, he has no post moves, he’s uncoordinated, and he can’t catch the ball. He needs a change of scenery. Build the team around Lance and the "He’s not yet a superstar" Paul George.

After the Bad Boys, 30 for 30, everyone was talking about how they wish the NBA was more like it was then, they wanted it to be tougher, and for players to talk trash, and compete no matter what. Well Bill Laimbeer and Dennis Rodman did some of those same things Lance did and worse, but in the new age when Lance does what you were just asking for, you have problems?
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Posted on: Sat, 05/31/2014 - 9:50am #911194

Mad Max
Participant
The things he did and say during this series against Miami really shouted selfish to me, as in he wanted the medias attention and spotlight. I love the fact he plays so hard and isn’t scared of anyone and is so willing to challange the best player, but sometimes I think he wants to be viewed as the best player too much. Also on the court he seems to need the ball on offensive to be effective which can be worrisome because he has the tendency to over dribble and play hero ball
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Posted on: Sat, 05/31/2014 - 9:50am #911065

Mad Max
Participant
The things he did and say during this series against Miami really shouted selfish to me, as in he wanted the medias attention and spotlight. I love the fact he plays so hard and isn’t scared of anyone and is so willing to challange the best player, but sometimes I think he wants to be viewed as the best player too much. Also on the court he seems to need the ball on offensive to be effective which can be worrisome because he has the tendency to over dribble and play hero ball
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Posted on: Sat, 05/31/2014 - 10:00am #911202

ncballer
I couldn’t agree more with the OP. The only reason everyone is down his throat is because he isn’t Lebron or Durant. If you read Tim Grover’s (MJ’s personal trainer) book relentless there is a story about MJ flipping a table over while his injured teammate was on it. The truth is you need to be a little mentally not there to reach a certain level and MJ and Kobe arent there. Lance isn’t either, and I love the fight in him. He earned respect in my book for putting his nuts on the line by trashtalking him and trying to get in his head.
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Posted on: Sat, 05/31/2014 - 10:00am #911073

ncballer
I couldn’t agree more with the OP. The only reason everyone is down his throat is because he isn’t Lebron or Durant. If you read Tim Grover’s (MJ’s personal trainer) book relentless there is a story about MJ flipping a table over while his injured teammate was on it. The truth is you need to be a little mentally not there to reach a certain level and MJ and Kobe arent there. Lance isn’t either, and I love the fight in him. He earned respect in my book for putting his nuts on the line by trashtalking him and trying to get in his head.
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Posted on: Sat, 05/31/2014 - 10:13am #911204

thatdude44
Participant
To me Lance is that guy a team needs, yea he goes a bit far sometimes but realistically he was the one showing any type of heart and clearly was doing and willing to do what ever it took to give his team a chance! Even if it meant it’ll cost him to lose money, he did so for his teammates. Bird did the same things…
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Posted on: Sat, 05/31/2014 - 10:13am #911075

thatdude44
Participant
To me Lance is that guy a team needs, yea he goes a bit far sometimes but realistically he was the one showing any type of heart and clearly was doing and willing to do what ever it took to give his team a chance! Even if it meant it’ll cost him to lose money, he did so for his teammates. Bird did the same things…
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Posted on: Sat, 05/31/2014 - 10:26am #911210

phwill
Participant
his behavior wouldn’t bother me, but I think the line of distinction is that his teammates/management have criticized him and the narrative seems to connect his antics with stat-chasing on his expiring contract depict a guy with questionable motivations. I agree with the media portrayal that Lance lost himself some money in this series just from a risk/reward standpoint. I’m not sold that he’s bad apple yet though. It’s hard to predict how he’ll respond to getting that big second contract pay day.
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Posted on: Sat, 05/31/2014 - 10:26am #911081

phwill
Participant
his behavior wouldn’t bother me, but I think the line of distinction is that his teammates/management have criticized him and the narrative seems to connect his antics with stat-chasing on his expiring contract depict a guy with questionable motivations. I agree with the media portrayal that Lance lost himself some money in this series just from a risk/reward standpoint. I’m not sold that he’s bad apple yet though. It’s hard to predict how he’ll respond to getting that big second contract pay day.
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Posted on: Sat, 05/31/2014 - 10:44am #911223

Robb_C
Participant
Michael Jordan and Larry Bird would only talk trash to the guys that were in their "league".. Lance Stephenson has no business trying to get into a pissing match with LeBron James.. they ain even close to being on the same level.. thats the difference between MJ and Bird and Lance Stephenson..
The Greats would talk shit to one another all the time.. but it was in the spirit of the game, the would talk trash and then hit the strip club together after the game.. what Lance is doing is some borderline gay shit.
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Posted on: Sat, 05/31/2014 - 10:44am #911093

Robb_C
Participant
Michael Jordan and Larry Bird would only talk trash to the guys that were in their "league".. Lance Stephenson has no business trying to get into a pissing match with LeBron James.. they ain even close to being on the same level.. thats the difference between MJ and Bird and Lance Stephenson..
The Greats would talk shit to one another all the time.. but it was in the spirit of the game, the would talk trash and then hit the strip club together after the game.. what Lance is doing is some borderline gay shit.
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- Posted on: Sat, 05/31/2014 - 2:51pm #911185
  
  tuck243
  Participant
  You think the 76ers went and had a drink with the Celtics after they held Larry and let Dr. J punch him? Or when Chris Childs 2 pieced Kobe? Rodman grabbing a$$es? Kurt Rambis getting clothes lined? That’s not in the spirit of the game…
  Even Michael shooting a free throw with his eyes closed was ridiculous to me… If Kobe did that well never hear the end of it… Truth is the league has become soft since the Bad Boys… The crap they used to do back in the day will never fly today… I challenge you to go look at old games… Hell look at NBA fights… If what Lance did was wrong, then what in the hell was KG slapping Tim Duncan in the back of the head? Or Rondo throwing Hinrich into the announcers table?? Lance blew in LeBron’s ear and everyone is upset? LeBron went 2-10 that game and only played 20 minutes… Not saying Lance had a huge deal in that, just it should be noted it did something…
  
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  - Posted on: Sat, 05/31/2014 - 3:38pm #911218
    
    Magic Jordan
    Participant
    Its not just the league my friend, society has gotten soft. Players go out for drinks and to the strip club now a days, not back then. Society has changed, the young generation will be punks, they can’t play something as harmless as dodge ball in schools anymore, every kid gets a trophy for competing. Its a shift in society not to hurt any body else’s feelings…. This didn’t exist in the Jordan era.
    Lance is old school, Lebron is not.
    I agree with you 100
    
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  - Posted on: Sat, 05/31/2014 - 3:38pm #911349
    
    Magic Jordan
    Participant
    Its not just the league my friend, society has gotten soft. Players go out for drinks and to the strip club now a days, not back then. Society has changed, the young generation will be punks, they can’t play something as harmless as dodge ball in schools anymore, every kid gets a trophy for competing. Its a shift in society not to hurt any body else’s feelings…. This didn’t exist in the Jordan era.
    Lance is old school, Lebron is not.
    I agree with you 100
    
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- Posted on: Sat, 05/31/2014 - 2:51pm #911315
  
  tuck243
  Participant
  You think the 76ers went and had a drink with the Celtics after they held Larry and let Dr. J punch him? Or when Chris Childs 2 pieced Kobe? Rodman grabbing a$$es? Kurt Rambis getting clothes lined? That’s not in the spirit of the game…
  Even Michael shooting a free throw with his eyes closed was ridiculous to me… If Kobe did that well never hear the end of it… Truth is the league has become soft since the Bad Boys… The crap they used to do back in the day will never fly today… I challenge you to go look at old games… Hell look at NBA fights… If what Lance did was wrong, then what in the hell was KG slapping Tim Duncan in the back of the head? Or Rondo throwing Hinrich into the announcers table?? Lance blew in LeBron’s ear and everyone is upset? LeBron went 2-10 that game and only played 20 minutes… Not saying Lance had a huge deal in that, just it should be noted it did something…
  
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- Posted on: Sat, 05/31/2014 - 3:32pm #911214
  
  Magic Jordan
  Participant
  This logic is stupid simply put. Bird and Jordan only talked trash to people in their league? Jordan talked trash to fans, were they in his "league"? I am sure everybody has heard the Jordan story of Mark Eaton, if not Google it its epic. Bird and Jordan were in leagues of their own so your statement makes no sense. They talked trash to anybody when they needed to draw inspiration. Only talk trash to people in your " league?" Have you ever competed in anything? Lebron James is hands down the best player in the world so essentially you are saying nobody should talk trash to him? That is ridiculous.
  Where I come from you can talk trash to anybody you damn well please as long as you are willing to get your ass beat for it, if you are then its all good but to not try to get into somebody’s head because you think they are better than you is ridiculous. That is more reason to try it, just because they are better or a more skilled player doesn’t mean they are mentally tougher, the two aren’t mutually exclusive.
  
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- Posted on: Sat, 05/31/2014 - 3:32pm #911345
  
  Magic Jordan
  Participant
  This logic is stupid simply put. Bird and Jordan only talked trash to people in their league? Jordan talked trash to fans, were they in his "league"? I am sure everybody has heard the Jordan story of Mark Eaton, if not Google it its epic. Bird and Jordan were in leagues of their own so your statement makes no sense. They talked trash to anybody when they needed to draw inspiration. Only talk trash to people in your " league?" Have you ever competed in anything? Lebron James is hands down the best player in the world so essentially you are saying nobody should talk trash to him? That is ridiculous.
  Where I come from you can talk trash to anybody you damn well please as long as you are willing to get your ass beat for it, if you are then its all good but to not try to get into somebody’s head because you think they are better than you is ridiculous. That is more reason to try it, just because they are better or a more skilled player doesn’t mean they are mentally tougher, the two aren’t mutually exclusive.
  
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Posted on: Sat, 05/31/2014 - 12:05pm #911123

jtthebrick
Participant
You can play hard and trash talk without making yourself look like a nutcase.
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- Posted on: Sat, 05/31/2014 - 3:12pm #911197
  
  tuck243
  Participant
  Telling Charlie he look like a cancer patient? Telling Tim Duncan Happy Mother’s Day even though his mother is dead? Saying something about Melo’s wife that prompted Melo to see him after the game next to the team bus? Lord knows what else was said over the years…
  KG is praised for his mindset though… Lance blow in LeBron’s ear and it’s "OOOOOOO nah, he went too far!!" LOL… Even KG slapping Tim Duncan in the back of the head wasn’t an issue… I don’t remember KG getting suspended for it…
  
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- Posted on: Sat, 05/31/2014 - 3:12pm #911327
  
  tuck243
  Participant
  Telling Charlie he look like a cancer patient? Telling Tim Duncan Happy Mother’s Day even though his mother is dead? Saying something about Melo’s wife that prompted Melo to see him after the game next to the team bus? Lord knows what else was said over the years…
  KG is praised for his mindset though… Lance blow in LeBron’s ear and it’s "OOOOOOO nah, he went too far!!" LOL… Even KG slapping Tim Duncan in the back of the head wasn’t an issue… I don’t remember KG getting suspended for it…
  
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Posted on: Sat, 05/31/2014 - 12:05pm #911253

jtthebrick
Participant
You can play hard and trash talk without making yourself look like a nutcase.
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Posted on: Sat, 05/31/2014 - 3:26pm #911209

Hitster
Participant
Lance plays with passion and after all the red flags during his pre NBA career it has been great to see him develop at the Pacers. But he still does some stupid things like firing up LeBron for example.. Despite his issues, I’ve never heard that he has demanded more shots or a bigger playmaking role with the Pacers.
The last two seasons he has improved beyond all recognition and he deserves a vastly improved contract. Hopefully the Pacers make him a good offer as I think that is the best place for him to progress and mature as a player and a person. With a strong front office and a solid locker room they can keep Lance brought into the team ethos. If he goes elsewhere he may not have that guiding hand and could have issues if another team has a true superstar or they try to get him to buy into the idea that they can build a team around him.
Also with greater money, comes greater responsibility, he could no longer say I’m the guy earning a tenth or whatever that his starting team mates do. He’ll be on the same sort of money as them.

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Posted on: Sat, 05/31/2014 - 3:26pm #911339

Hitster
Participant
Lance plays with passion and after all the red flags during his pre NBA career it has been great to see him develop at the Pacers. But he still does some stupid things like firing up LeBron for example.. Despite his issues, I’ve never heard that he has demanded more shots or a bigger playmaking role with the Pacers.
The last two seasons he has improved beyond all recognition and he deserves a vastly improved contract. Hopefully the Pacers make him a good offer as I think that is the best place for him to progress and mature as a player and a person. With a strong front office and a solid locker room they can keep Lance brought into the team ethos. If he goes elsewhere he may not have that guiding hand and could have issues if another team has a true superstar or they try to get him to buy into the idea that they can build a team around him.
Also with greater money, comes greater responsibility, he could no longer say I’m the guy earning a tenth or whatever that his starting team mates do. He’ll be on the same sort of money as them.

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