Lance Stephenson has made a name for himself. A classic New Yorker that is tough, is hard to rattle and because of that is incredibly stubborn. It’s no fault of his own. It’s good, some people like that.
It’s a shame that he can’t find people that like his attitude. But he’s in a new place and nothing is being given to him like in Charlotte. He has to earn everything. He is not a starter, he is not being given a pedestal to stand on, he’s a cog. Which will hopefully give him the incentive to finally fulfil his potential.
Lance talked to B/R’s Jared Zwerling recently. Talking about everything. From the trade, to his mentality and of course his new team.
Bleacher Report: Why do you think you got traded?
Lance Stephenson: It just didn’t work. I felt like me and Kemba [Walker] do the same type of stuff, and it just didn’t click. Kemba is like a smaller me. He dominates the ball and he’s a playmaker. And then my jump shot wasn’t falling, so it was a tough season. I had toe and groin injuries. I’m telling you, this was worse than my rookie year when I didn’t even play. I was really mentally down. I was trying everything to try to figure out what I can do to help this squad.
B/R: How did you first hear about the trade?
LS: Just like this, [I was] working out [at Impact]. And everybody in the gym was like, “Ooooh.” They’re like, “You’re going to the Clippers.” I was like, “What? Nah, let me check my phone.” It was a surprise. I thought I was going to still be a Hornet. I was getting ready for the Hornets this year and out of nowhere I just heard I got traded. I’m very happy and blessed, and I think it’s going to be a great year. Plus I’m in the West and they like to go up and down, and that’s my type of game—grab the rebound and go and push it and find the open man. Just have fun.
B/R: How do you feel about starting or coming off the bench?
LS: It doesn’t matter, because it’s all about winning—because on the Warriors, nobody cared about who was starting. It wasn’t a one-man show; it was teamwork. Everybody was on the same page. It’s not about who starts; it’s about who finishes. If you finish a game and Coach trusts you on the floor, that’s all that matters. I just want to win, so whatever it takes to win.
B/R: What is your mentality like, going from a non-playoff team to one that is in the championship conversation?
LS: It’s a big jump, because I was just sitting there watching the playoffs, like, “Man,” because every year I made the playoffs. I was like, “What am I going to do?” So I literally just sat and played video games for about a month and then started working out. I played NBA 2K and Mortal Kombat, but I was real bored. I’m just happy that I’m on a great team that’s ready to win. I’m telling you, it’s like a blessing to be on this type of team that I’m on right now. You can’t take that for granted, because you don’t have years like this, you don’t have a year when you have a group of guys that can actually win it.
There’s a couple of things to consider there. Like how he threw some reporter-assisted shade at the Hornets.
“I’m just happy that I’m on a great team that’s ready to win.”
I’m pretty sure Charlotte wanted you to be thier last piece Lance but alright. I’m glad that he’s fine with being a bench player. Lets hope he can actually produce.
