Pacers Pitch Stephenson With Biographical Movie

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  • Kemo
    PD's Resident Horror Icon
    • Dec 2007
    • 5503

    Pacers Pitch Stephenson With Biographical Movie

    Pacers Pitch Stephenson With Biographical Movie
    By Jack Winter




    The Indiana Pacers pitched free agent wing Lance Stephenson on the night of free agency with a biographical movie shown in a rented movie theater.




    The Indiana Pacers want to retain Lance Stephenson, and Lance Stephenson wants to play for the Indiana Pacers. So while getting Lance inked to a new contract seems a simple proposition on the surface, salary cap considerations mean the Pacers could be out-bid for his services on the open market. Whether that proves the case or not, Indy certainly isn’t leaving anything to chance. In hopes of wooing the 23 year-old star back to Indianapolis, the team rented a local theater and are showing Stephenson and his family and friends an original movie based on his time as a Pacer.



    Candace Buckner of the Indianapolis Star has more on the Pacers’ unique presentation to Stephenson
    ---> http://www.indystar.com/story/sports...ight/11805235/


    Sometime shortly after midnight Tuesday, Lance Stephenson will be seated with his family and friends in a movie theater. The lights will go down and the ‘Born Ready’ life story will flash before Stephenson’s eyes on the big screen…

    Inside the entertainment complex based in suburban Indianapolis, the Pacers’ commitment begins in earnest where a private party will be held and a love letter set to moving pictures will play with the hopes of keeping Stephenson. The movie will feature moments from when Stephenson arrived in Indiana to the point he is now, a potential Eastern Conference All-Star and a key figure in a core that can compete for a title.



    Even amid the rumors, signings, and trades of the free agency period, tidbits like this are what make the NBA’s offseason the gift that keeps on giving. What is Lance’s snack of choice? Is the movie animated? Is Roy Hibbert narrating? Is Dwyane Wade the villain? Did Larry Bird produce or direct? The questions are endless.

    Perhaps of greater importance in Buckner’s story than details of the Pacers’ original film is that Stephenson’s agent, Alberto Ebanks, says that his client’s utmost priority is winning a championship. And the more he and Lance think about it, Ebanks says, Indy is the place he’ll get the best chance to do so.




    “He expects to be in a position with a team to compete for a championship,” Ebanks said. “If he stays with the Pacers, he doesn’t have to look very far with the No. 1 team coming out of the East. You want to make sure that there’s a good fit. The more I describe what he’s looking for, the more that the picture perfect next place for him is right where he is right now. It’s just a matter of can we can come to terms with the Pacers. If we can, there’s no need to really change something that’s been working.”




    The Pacers took a step toward ensuring they’ll be able to agree with Stephenson by refusing Evan Turner a qualifying offer, making him a restricted free agent and saving $8.7 million in the process. Barring Stephenson receiving a shocking maximum-level contract offer, Indiana should have enough cap space under the luxury tax to match the terms other teams will present him even while adding additional players. The question now is whether or not they’ll do it. While all signs point to yes, crazier things have happened in free agency than Lance and the Pacers parting ways.

    Having said that, we haven’t watched this movie. Maybe it’s a masterpiece and will ensure Stephenson stays in Indy, or maybe it’s a trainwreck and will push him elsewhere. Only one thing is for sure – we really, really want to see it.
    "Political Correctness is a doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end."
  • Kemo
    PD's Resident Horror Icon
    • Dec 2007
    • 5503

    #2
    Re: Pacers Pitch Stephenson With Biographical Movie

    Just found this earlier and thought was pretty cool..
    Fan easier, fan faster and fan better with Bleacher Report. Keep up with the latest storylines, expert analysis, highlights and scores for all your favorite sports.
    "Political Correctness is a doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end."

    Comment

    • 90'sNBARocked
      LovingTeamDipo!
      • Nov 2009
      • 10046

      #3
      Re: Pacers Pitch Stephenson With Biographical Movie

      Well going to Charlotte is not going to push him to a team ready to compete for an NBA championship
      Sittin on top of the world!

      Comment

      • ECKrueger
        Boilermaker (TJL)
        • Oct 2007
        • 6098

        #4
        Re: Pacers Pitch Stephenson With Biographical Movie

        Yes we will see if the winning really is more important to him.

        Comment

        • Tom White
          Member
          • Jan 2004
          • 5705

          #5
          Re: Pacers Pitch Stephenson With Biographical Movie

          Seems to me the Pacers realize they can easily be outbid for Lance, so they are making a sales pitch to his heart as well as his wallet.

          Comment

          • Sollozzo
            Member
            • Jan 2004
            • 27439

            #6
            Re: Pacers Pitch Stephenson With Biographical Movie

            Originally posted by ECKrueger
            Yes we will see if the winning really is more important to him.

            This sort of comment just isn't really fair to him. Why should he be the one who all of the sudden has to take one for the team by signing for less money? The other four starters made sure to squeeze out virtually every last cent when they signed their contracts, but Lance is now the guy who doesn't care about winning if he leaves? If Lance maxes out every penny, then he's simply following the examples set by his Pacer elders.

            You can be happy anywhere if you're getting paid millions to play basketball. I don't doubt that he would prefer to stay here if all else is equal, but if someone offers more money then he'll move on and never look back. He's confident enough in his game that he can win anywhere.

            Comment

            • ECKrueger
              Boilermaker (TJL)
              • Oct 2007
              • 6098

              #7
              Re: Pacers Pitch Stephenson With Biographical Movie

              Originally posted by Sollozzo
              This sort of comment just isn't really fair to him. Why should he be the one who all of the sudden has to take one for the team by signing for less money? The other four starters made sure to squeeze out virtually every last cent when they signed their contracts, but Lance is now the guy who doesn't care about winning if he leaves? If Lance maxes out every penny, then he's simply following the examples set by his Pacer elders.

              You can be happy anywhere if you're getting paid millions to play basketball. I don't doubt that he would prefer to stay here if all else is equal, but if someone offers more money then he'll move on and never look back. He's confident enough in his game that he can win anywhere.
              I'm not trying to hold it against him, but if it is true that “he expects to be in a position with a team to compete for a championship,” then he'd sign here (or another good team), not take more money to go to Charlotte.

              Agian, I wouldn't blame him a bit, and I don't expect him to take less to stay here. I just meant we will see if that statement is totally true.

              Comment

              • sav
                Member
                • Jun 2012
                • 5460

                #8
                Re: Pacers Pitch Stephenson With Biographical Movie

                Originally posted by Sollozzo
                This sort of comment just isn't really fair to him. Why should he be the one who all of the sudden has to take one for the team by signing for less money? The other four starters made sure to squeeze out virtually every last cent when they signed their contracts, but Lance is now the guy who doesn't care about winning if he leaves? If Lance maxes out every penny, then he's simply following the examples set by his Pacer elders.
                Paul George did not take the maximum he could have gotten.

                Comment

                • BlueCollarColts
                  Member
                  • Oct 2012
                  • 9569

                  #9
                  Re: Pacers Pitch Stephenson With Biographical Movie

                  Originally posted by Sollozzo
                  This sort of comment just isn't really fair to him. Why should he be the one who all of the sudden has to take one for the team by signing for less money? The other four starters made sure to squeeze out virtually every last cent when they signed their contracts, but Lance is now the guy who doesn't care about winning if he leaves? If Lance maxes out every penny, then he's simply following the examples set by his Pacer elders.

                  You can be happy anywhere if you're getting paid millions to play basketball. I don't doubt that he would prefer to stay here if all else is equal, but if someone offers more money then he'll move on and never look back. He's confident enough in his game that he can win anywhere.
                  Paul George took less than he could have.

                  Comment

                  • joew8302
                    Member
                    • Jul 2008
                    • 9561

                    #10
                    Re: Pacers Pitch Stephenson With Biographical Movie

                    Originally posted by ECKrueger
                    I'm not trying to hold it against him, but if it is true that “he expects to be in a position with a team to compete for a championship,” then he'd sign here (or another good team), not take more money to go to Charlotte.

                    Agian, I wouldn't blame him a bit, and I don't expect him to take less to stay here. I just meant we will see if that statement is totally true.
                    It isn't like if he joined Charlotte he would be in a terrible situation. A starting lineup of Kemba, Lance, MKG, McBeard (if he is re-signed) and Al Jefferson is pretty decent.

                    Comment

                    • Sollozzo
                      Member
                      • Jan 2004
                      • 27439

                      #11
                      Re: Pacers Pitch Stephenson With Biographical Movie

                      Originally posted by BlueCollarColts
                      Paul George took less than he could have.
                      By a tiny amount, right? I said virtually every penny.....

                      Comment

                      • MillerTime
                        FREE LANCE
                        • May 2008
                        • 7636

                        #12
                        Re: Pacers Pitch Stephenson With Biographical Movie

                        With Lebron, Wade, Bosh, Parsons, Melo and Gasol taking most of the FA news, I can see Lance quickly signing with the Pacers as he may not be receiving attention from other teams yet
                        "So, which one of you guys is going to come in second?" - Larry Bird before the 3 point contest. He won.


                        Comment

                        • BlueCollarColts
                          Member
                          • Oct 2012
                          • 9569

                          #13
                          Re: Pacers Pitch Stephenson With Biographical Movie

                          Originally posted by Sollozzo
                          By a tiny amount, right? I said virtually every penny.....
                          I am not sure, but I think it ended up saving us around 1-2 million.

                          Comment

                          • idioteque
                            hopeful
                            • May 2006
                            • 11439

                            #14
                            Re: Pacers Pitch Stephenson With Biographical Movie

                            Originally posted by MillerTime
                            With Lebron, Wade, Bosh, Parsons, Melo and Gasol taking most of the FA news, I can see Lance quickly signing with the Pacers as he may not be receiving attention from other teams yet
                            I know nothing about being an NBA agent, but wouldn't the better strategy be to see where those guys go and who gets left out? Some team may then have cap space burning in their pocket and outbid the Pacers.

                            Comment

                            • sav
                              Member
                              • Jun 2012
                              • 5460

                              #15
                              Re: Pacers Pitch Stephenson With Biographical Movie

                              Originally posted by BlueCollarColts
                              I am not sure, but I think it ended up saving us around 1-2 million.
                              Just to clarify, that's 1-2 million per year. That's 5-10 million over the course of a 5 year contract. That doesn't seem tiny to me.
                              Last edited by sav; 07-01-2014, 12:31 PM.

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