NBA Q&A: Lance Stephenson

Courtesy of Dime

Dime: You had a lot of early success and gained a lot of notoriety as a teenager growing up in New York before coming into the league. Tell me what that was like. 
Lance Stephenson: It was great, especially in New York where basketball is real big. I think I deserved it, you know I worked hard and people noticed that at a young age. I’m just happy it translated to the NBA and I’m just working hard… trying to grind out.

Dime: Do you feel there was any added pressure being a New York product with New York being the Mecca of basketball? 
LS: I wouldn’t really say pressure because I don’t think I had pressure. I just played ball. I didn’t really look at interviews, or magazines, or what people wrote about me. I just tried to stay focused and play ball and not worry about the fame. That’s how I take it.

Dime: What are some of your fondest memories growing playing ball before the NBA?
LS: Probably high school, winning four city championships. That’s tough, nobody ever really did that.

Dime: Who did you look up to both on and off the court and who were the people who helped to keep you in line?
LS: Well my family always kept me in a straight line. I looked up to a lot of players like T-Mac, Penny Hardaway and Magic Johnson. So I tried to take to what they did in the game and put it in my own way.

Dime: You know it’s funny a lot of people say T-Mac, who probably won’t ever make the Hall of Fame, and Penny, too, as guys who influenced their game. I spoke to your teammate Paul George over the weekend and he said the same.
LS: Yeah everybody liked those two. Especially because Penny is a big guard and I’m kind of like a big guard too. He could handle, and go to the hole, and see the floor well. I like his game and I just try to put some of that into my game.

Dime: Many are pointing at a steps towards maturity for much of your recent success with the Pacers. Would you agree or say that it has been something else?
LS: Just working hard during the summer and staying with the coaches looking at film. Communicating with the coaches so that they can trust me to stay on the floor. I did that during the summer and they gave me the opportunity to play and I’m doing a good job right now.

Dime: You stepped right into the starter’s role with Granger out to begin the season and even beat out Gerald Green. What has that been like for you being such a key contributor?
LS: It’s been great. Without my teammates I don’t feel like I could have done it without them. They helped me throughout the whole first half of the season showing me how to play the game, how to be a starter, and how to be consistent on the floor.

Dime: Granger is due back soon which will likely force you back to a bench role. Are you okay with that or do you feel you should continue to start?
LS: Danny’s a great player and I’m happy with anything the coach wants to do. If he makes the decision to bring me off the bench, I feel like I can come in as a sixth man and play hard. I can be on the second unit and be a scorer on the second unit. So whatever happens I’m prepared for it.

Dime: How close are the Pacers in the locker room? 
LS: Ah man, we’re great. We always hang out with each other. Like right now the reason why I came out here (to Houston) really was to hang out with Paul George and Gerald Green during the All-Star break. We’re cool on the court and off the court. That’s what makes us a great team because we have that team chemistry.

Dime: So who are some of your best friends on the team? Is it Paul and Gerald who you just mentioned?
LS: Yeah probably Paul George and Gerald Green. Well, everybody is cool. I don’t want to pick out just two or three — we are all cool. We all hang out. Sometimes Gerald will hang out with George Hill or I will hang out with Danny. It splits up… it’s pretty equal.

Dime: What has it been like for you being an AND1 athlete? 
LS: Oh it’s great! AND1 is great. They treat me as if I was LeBron. They make great shoes and they feel comfortable on the court. I decided to sign with them and they are doing good so far.

Dime: Have you been a long time supporter of the brand?
LS: Ah man since back in the day, man. I used to have everything AND1 when Stephon Marbury wore it. Everything! I had the shoes, the shirts, the socks. I had the whole gear. So to me AND1 is great.

Dime: What are some of your favorite kicks of all time?
LS: All time? Well every Jordan was hot. I liked the Reebok Shawn Kemps. Allen Iversons… I think the 3s, those were classic. Patrick Ewings were classics. Penny Hardaways were classics. T-Macs! So I love all those shoes. It goes with the player. I feel like when you had those T-Macs on, you could really play like T-Mac.

Dime: What does your future look like in the league? 
LS: My future right now… I feel like after being at this All-Star event, I feel like I can be one of these players that can make it. I just have to keep working hard and be consistent on the court. I feel like a couple years from now I can probably be in this event.

Dime: A future All-Star?
LS: Yeah, that’s my goal right now.