The improvement of Lance Stephenson

[All Net]

We talk about the improvement of Paul George in Indiana but how about lance?

16.4 points per game
6.2 rebounds per game
4.6 assists per game
47% FG
53% from three

He averaged 8,3 and 3 last year.

Can he keep this up?

[mugiwara]

So shit against the bulls only to hit two big threes to really take control of the game. The Box score would have looked awful but he made a huge impact on the end result of that game.

[Brook(lyn)Lopez]

He won't keep this up, he's not shooting over 50% from deep with how many he's taking per game so far this season.
First name first name and Lance are carrying this team offensively, although Scola finally showed signs of life against the Bulls and D West hit a lot of jumpers.
If Roy Hibbert stopped being a scrub on offense, this team would be clear cut favorites to win the title.

Also point guard play is an issue.
Imagine if this team dumped Granger for a better facilitator. (George Hill isn't a bad player, but he's more of an undersized SG)
They should make a move for Rondo, that team would be nasty.

[kurple]

what is his contract situation?

would love to reunite him with Shaw in Denver. we really need a good SG and a good perimiter defender

[MetsPackers]

Remember when he was just "that guy who committed the flagrants in the Miami series"? Dude has mad game. The question is will indy be able to keep him when his contract is up

[bagelred]

Paul George - 10th pick overall
Roy Hibbert - 17th pick overall
Lance Stephenson - 40th pick overall



How dey do dat? :coleman:

[All Net]

what is his contract situation?

would love to reunite him with Shaw in Denver. we really need a good SG and a good perimiter defender

Free agent next summer...

[kurple]

unrestricted?

[All Net]

unrestricted?

Correct.

[crunk-juice]

Paul George - 10th pick overall
Roy Hibbert - 17th pick overall
Lance Stephenson - 40th pick overall



How dey do dat? :coleman:


http://www.4sportboston.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/larry_bird_2.jpg

[FireDavidKahn]

http://www.4sportboston.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/larry_bird_2.jpg
This. Larry Bird is the true GOAT as he excelled in every facet of the game. :bowdown: MJ who?

[jbryan1984]

People were pretty high on him when he was drafted but he never really got to play until Granger went down. I remember hearing Bird didn't really like him and that he pushed his girlfriend down the stairs. IDK, but he looked great in the ECF last year. Indy is in a very, very good place for years to come. If they could get rid of Granger's contract and take that off the books, they can sign more good bench players and probably become the deepest team in the league.

[Levity]

indy will pretty much do anything to keep him. i think they already worked out a way to sign him long term without hitting luxury tax. of course, that would mean letting granger go at season end. but this 5-0 start may be enough reason to let that happen.

[scm5]

indy will pretty much do anything to keep him. i think they already worked out a way to sign him long term without hitting luxury tax. of course, that would mean letting granger go at season end. but this 5-0 start may be enough reason to let that happen.

They need to package Granger as an expiring to get a serviceable PG.

George Hill is the weakest link on the team by FAR.

[RoundMoundOfReb]

http://www.4sportboston.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/larry_bird_2.jpg
MVP
COTY
EOTY

:applause:

[longtime lurker]

Paul George - 10th pick overall
Roy Hibbert - 17th pick overall
Lance Stephenson - 40th pick overall



How dey do dat? :coleman:

I remember Knicks fans wanting nothing to do with him during the draft and they were all excited about drafting Andy Rautins over him :lol

[Dro]

Again, Bird has stated that he plans to re-sign Lance...Even at Paul George's signing, he said "Don't worry Lance, you'll be up here next year". And thats just one quote. I don't know if we can keep Granger or not...Who knows, by the end of the season, we may have a great year and Granger decides he wants to stay here for less...He has committed to taking a lesser role in local interviews and maybe at this point he's more concerned with winning over money..the team has great chemistry and he has great chemistry with his teammates even now.

As far as I've known, Bird has always loved Lance. Thats why he kept him on the roster..He just needed a chance to let him play and that happened when Granger got hurt.

Lance won't keep up the 3 point percentage but he can keep up the rest of his numbers and I think his assist totals can go up as the season goes on and the offense gets better. I love his attitude, absolutely love it. I don't care what people think of him. He reminds of a guy like myself who came from the same type of neighborhood that I did and still do live in. But if you watch his game, yes he has that attitude, but he's a pretty calm dude on the court as far as after the play antics goes. He was fouled hard by Heinrich the other day and although he got up quickly with an attitude, he walked straight to the free throw line as he often does. He just wants to show opponents that he won't back down but he's not looking to start any actual trouble on the court and pick up technicals, etc....

[GoRapz]

I don't see him keeping this up but he's definitely showing signs of what he could be in the future. People often forget this guy was a top high school player coming into college and he killed his draft stock with his attitude + didn't adjust well to the college game.

[Fresh Kid]

Paul George - 10th pick overall
Roy Hibbert - 17th pick overall
Lance Stephenson - 40th pick overall



How dey do dat? :coleman:
Illuminati :coleman:

[Meticode]

Paul George - 10th pick overall
Roy Hibbert - 17th pick overall
Lance Stephenson - 40th pick overall



How dey do dat? :coleman:
Wait, was all those picks from the same draft? If so, damn that draft worked out awesome for them. They got their starting C, SF and SG all in one draft. :lol

[andremiller07]

He's a cross between Matt Barnes and Tyreke Evans he's got the Barnes nasty in him with Evans skillset.

[scm5]

He's a cross between Matt Barnes and Tyreke Evans he's got the Barnes nasty in him with Evans skillset.

Matt Barnes has always been one of my favorite role players because of how much he hustles and how little money he demands. He's a good defender, unselfish, and a very good rebounder.

He's been such a value player throughout his career, getting paid shit. He finally got a decent contract from the Clippers though.

[Wavves]

Love everything about the Pacers organisation lately. They are similar to the Spurs in ways, in that they have been able to draft well and develop their own talent.

[BlackVVaves]

They need to package Granger as an expiring to get a serviceable PG.

George Hill is the weakest link on the team by FAR.

This and this.

Granger for Eric Maynor + pieces?

[BlackVVaves]

I don't see him keeping this up but he's definitely showing signs of what he could be in the future. People often forget this guy was a top high school player coming into college and he killed his draft stock with his attitude + didn't adjust well to the college game.

Everyone here in New York who follows basketball knows all about Lance. Was considered legendary by many several years back.

[GOBB]

I dont know what the salary cap/luxury tax will be next season. Its a little under $72mil this season. Next year Pacers are on the books for $65mil. That's about $7mil. They would be pushing it close signing Lance without going over the tax. Lance can get $8mil per. And with other teams having the chance to lure him financially? Good luck.

Then again I guess Lance first year can be cheap and just backload the deal if thats possible. Unsure how NBA contracts are structured. I mean Lin/Asik deals where made where they got less early and it was backloaded like hell. So.

[veilside23]

born ready :) he was a star in highschool .. his game didnt transition well when he was in college and have out of court issues so he wasnt drafted like he was projected .... good to see him pan out...

I think someone will try to over pay him.. but this is the best place for stephenson so i guess and hope he stays..

PG+ Stevenson and Hibbert is the young core of this group ...
kinda like Durant + westbrook + ibaka

[no pun intended]

http://a.espncdn.com/photo/2013/0331/nba_photosofweek_13.jpg

[LA_Showtime]

People were pretty high on him when he was drafted but he never really got to play until Granger went down. I remember hearing Bird didn't really like him and that he pushed his girlfriend down the stairs. IDK, but he looked great in the ECF last year. Indy is in a very, very good place for years to come. If they could get rid of Granger's contract and take that off the books, they can sign more good bench players and probably become the deepest team in the league.

Larry must really hate Lance if he's pushing his girlfriend down staircases :oldlol:

[BallsOut]

Larry must really hate Lance if he's pushing his girlfriend down staircases :oldlol:

Maybe Bird didn't like her?

[longtime lurker]

Lance is the type of player that's a certified X-factor in the playoffs. If he's at the top of his game Indy is tough to beat.

[SamuraiSWISH]

Lance is the type of player that's a certified X-factor in the playoffs. If he's at the top of his game Indy is tough to beat.
Yea, in that John Stark, J.R. Smith type of mold. He's also dumb like them, and an emotional head case. So if he's off his game, and acting stupid he could self destruct a team. Hey, this all sounds like Russell Westbrook too.

[longtime lurker]

Yea, in that John Stark, J.R. Smith type of mold. He's also dumb like them, and an emotional head case. So if he's off his game, and acting stupid he could self destruct a team. Hey, this all sounds like Russell Westbrook too.

I seriously don't understand your hate for Westbrook it's really weird. Did someone dress up as a ninja turtle and scare you as a kid? And Lance is so far away from JR Smith it's not even funny. He can affect the game in more ways than just scoring. If his game is off it's up to the coaches to sit him down.

[SamuraiSWISH]

I seriously don't understand your hate for Westbrook it's really weird. Did someone dress up as a ninja turtle and scare you as a kid? And Lance is so far away from JR Smith it's not even funny. He can affect the game in more ways than just scoring. If his game is off it's up to the coaches to sit him down.
So Starks is an apt comparison? Head case with way too much arrogance for their own good? I just don't like Westbrook. He's dumb. And I can't stand his fans on ISH. Let's hype up a guy whose decision making holds his team back from greater success.

[longtime lurker]

So Starks is an apt comparison? Head case with way too much arrogance for their own good? I just don't like Westbrook. He's dumb. And I can't stand his fans on ISH. Let's hype up a guy whose decision making holds his team back from greater success.

I don't remember John Starks as a triple double threat like Lance, but give me the player with confidence in his own ability over the player that chokes and freezes up on the big stage. How's Westbrook holding his team back from greater success, they made the finals with him and he's one of the only players to actually show up during the finals. He's a key piece to that team they go no where without him.