Mike interviews Lance....and it's positive
Stephenson tries to grow on court, off
'There are too many temptations' in New York, so guard trains in Indy
Aug 3, 2011 | Comments
Written by
Mike Wells
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/2011...IndyStar.com|s
It really seems Lance is maturing and finally understanding that the people around him are there to help him. I would probably be the happiest person here if he takes off next year. He definitely has the talent... he just needs to understand how to refine it and put his head on straight. Please prove us all wrong Lance... if you're reading this, Pacers' fans went thru Ron's shenanigans and really don't have time for any BS. If you make it thru the year without doing anything dumb and keep improving, Pacer fans will embrace you.
Stephenson tries to grow on court, off
'There are too many temptations' in New York, so guard trains in Indy
Aug 3, 2011 | Comments
Written by
Mike Wells
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/2011...IndyStar.com|s
It really seems Lance is maturing and finally understanding that the people around him are there to help him. I would probably be the happiest person here if he takes off next year. He definitely has the talent... he just needs to understand how to refine it and put his head on straight. Please prove us all wrong Lance... if you're reading this, Pacers' fans went thru Ron's shenanigans and really don't have time for any BS. If you make it thru the year without doing anything dumb and keep improving, Pacer fans will embrace you.
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