Lance Stephenson isn’t himself.
He can’t be. Charlotte doesn’t want him to.
The 24-year-old New York product, who was drafted by the Pacers in 2010 (40th overall) and spent his first four seasons in Indy, has found fitting in on Steve Clifford’s to be team difficult.
“I feel like the Pacers system I could play freely and I could be myself,” Stephenson said while seated at his locker prior to morning shootaround. “Here, it’s like I got a little button on me, like ‘Don’t do that.’ I just got to be able to play free, play relaxed, and play through mistakes.”
Coach Clifford was admittedly the team’s biggest advocate for signing Stephenson in the offseason, which they did to a three-year contract worth $27.4 million. The Hornets don’t suit his game, though. They need a guy in that spot that can shoot and space the floor.
Stephenson, however, is the opposite. He can create, and finish at the rim with space. And remember, he was the fourth or fifth option as he started each game, rarely being guarded by the opponent’s best defender. That freedom doesn’t exist on the Hornets, and it’s obvious he isn’t able to joyfully enjoy doing what he loves.
“It’s been fun,” he said hesitantly, careful not to say the wrong thing “… sometimes, some games. Off and on because I ain’t really have a chance to … I got hurt in the beginning of the season and once I came back, I never really got that groove back.
“It’s very humbling. I just got to learn this structure of basketball with this team and be positive.”
From strictly a number’s standpoint, they are down all around. In 58 appearances this year, he’s averaging 8.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, 4.1 assists in 26 minutes per game. In March, 7.1 points and 3.0 rebounds per game. (Last season, as a starter for the Pacers, he recorded five triple-doubles and averaged 13.8 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game, playing more than 35 minutes a game.)
His stat line from the last two games reads quite differently: “DNP-CD,” which means did not play, coach’s decision.
Clifford, who studied tape from Stephenson’s days with the Pacers to see if he could find ways to better use him, ultimately decided to play other guys — better outside shooters — in that spot. (Stephenson is shooting an abysmal 16 percent from range.) It’s nothing personal.
Pacers coach Frank Vogel on his former player, who he adores: “I just hope he’s doing OK. I know it’s a tough situation for everyone. I’m not involved with it so I don’t know all the ins and outs of what’s led to that. I’m very fond of Lance and I want to see him do well. Hopefully he’ll turn it around.”
The Pacers, meanwhile, have gotten more than their money’s worth with Rodney Stuckey, who essentially has been Stephenson’s replacement. Stuckey, who sought a fresh start out of Detroit, will cost the team less than $1 million and he does many of the same things.
He provides a lift of the bench, can slice his way through the line and finish with contact, and he can nail the outside jumper..
Ahead of tonight’s game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, the Hornets (32-42) are 10th in the Eastern Conference, one spot higher than the Pacers (32-43). Brooklyn has jumped Miami for the No. 7 spot, as they’ve won 8 of 10 and Miami has split their last 10 games.
Indiana and Charlotte are on the outside looking in and will not only need to win out, but get help from teams above them in the process. But first, win tonight.
Fitting in has been trying for Lance Stephenson in Charlotte. He’s hoping things will be better next year.
Stephenson still follows the Pacers, saying they’re like family to him. Like the Pacers, it’s been a season full of ups and downs.
“We’re definitely trying to get to the playoffs, both of us,” Stephenson said. “This is going to be like a playoff game tonight.”
Stephenson, who the past few seasons has stayed in Indianapolis for summer training, said he plans to continue with what has worked in staying in the city where he plays, so Charlotte this summer.
There have been all kinds of rumors about Stephenson, about the team’s frustration with his play, their willingness to trade him, and that the Pacers may have been interested. He’s heard them all, but he tunes them out because he feels like there is always something.
“I’m so used to it,” he said, “I don’t really look at it no more.”
He was asked a couple time if he regrets his decision to leave the Pacers and to sign elsewhere.
“No. I’m not going to say it. It’s no regrets. I have no regrets,” he said, though his body language suggested something else.
“I can’t. You can’t do that. Right now I’m just trying to stay focused and learn this system. I can’t picture what could have been. Right now I’m just trying to help this group.”
He did enjoy his evening around time, venturing back to places he used to visit when he lived here like Hinkle Fieldhouse, and clubs downtown.
“Ah, man. Just seeing all of my friends,” he said, finally perking up a bit. “Seeing all of the places I used to go to when I was living out here. Just very sad. Just to come back here and walk the streets where I usually … I see all the people when I go out to the clubs and stuff like that.”
And their reaction: “They didn’t say nothing bad,” Stephenson added. “They was like, ‘Hey, we missed you. Come back.”