Lance Stephenson locker room chat (Video)

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ICYMI: Nets/Hornets resume trade talks

The Brooklyn Nets and Charlotte Hornets are again engaged in trade talks centered upon Lance Stephenson.  The Nets are reportedly willing to part ways with G Joe Johnson for a package that would include Stephenson, Gerald Henderson, and Marvin Williams.

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Nets, Hornets, Thunder Trade Update

Proposed Deal:

Brook Lopez to Thunder

Lance Stephenson to Nets

Jeremy Lamb/Jarret Jack to Charlotte

Update:

Reports show that the Brooklyn Nets are currently holding up the trade due to trying to acquire more players.

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Stephenson clashed with teammates?

Reports indicate that Charlotte Hornets G/F Lance Stephenson has clashed with teammates.  The veterans on the team have been given the go ahead to police the situation convince Stephenson to be more of a team player.  This isn't the first time that Stephenson has been the center of chemistry issues.  The Indiana Pacers suffered a meltdown the second half of last season and many suspected that the selfishness of Stephenson was at play.

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Holding Court: Lance talk and a rebounding lesson with Lavoy (Video)

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Pacers/Hornets explored Stephenson trade

Reports indicate that the Charlotte Hornets and Indiana Pacers have had preliminary conversations on possible trade involving the return of Lance Stephenson to the Pacers.  Despite the interest the talks have yet to become serious.

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Lance Stephenson returns: 'I love the Pacers...' (Video)

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Lance Stephenson talks leaving Pacers

Some saw the move coming and some didn't but Lance Stephenson leaving the Indiana Pacers sent shockwaves through the central division.  Recently Stephenson spoke of the the decision process that ended up with him joining the Charlotte Hornets.  

"I wanted to stay there but they gave me a deadline where I had to choose," Stephenson said. "So there wasn't no time for me to make a decision. They gave me a deadline (before) how long it (was) going to take for them to go somewhere else.  I had to make a quick decision and me and my agent decided we would see what other teams (were) talking about."

"They didn't have nothing else. They had no more money or anything. That was basically it right there," Stephenson said. "Soon as I said no to that offer, they went and signed CJ. I figured they thought I had no chance of coming back, they just went on and signed CJ. … I felt like it was a wrap after that."

"They said shorter deals but it didn't make no sense to do the deals that they were talking about," Stephenson said. "I figured I'd just go somewhere else where I could be more happy and I feel like I'm playing (for) at least what I'm worth."

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Q&A: Lance Stephenson

Courtesy of Slam 

SLAM: What’s the feeling like of knowing you’ll be starting a new chapter in Charlotte in just a few weeks?

Lance Stephenson: I’m definitely excited. It’s like a new beginning. I definitely want to come in and help—just be a main factor and get us as far as we can.

SLAM:Returning to your old stumping grounds of Coney Island, what can kind of effect does that have on you?

LS: I feel like when I come back home, I get my attitude and my aggressiveness back. I need to re-up. I come home and hang with friends, and just work out with 530.

SLAM: The kids seem to be very receptive to you here. How are those conversations like?

LS: I come back and just want to show the kids that if you work hard then you can be in the same position that I am. That you can be sitting in this car too. I always like to come back and show my face.

SLAM: What changed last season from the one prior that took your game to a whole new level?

LS: Last year, I was just hungry. I want to be one of the best shooting guards in the League. I work hard every day to get there. I want to prove a point. When everyone sees me, they’ll be like, “Yo, that’s Lance. He’s nice.” That’s why I go so hard and get into it. That’s why I want to be as good as I can be.

SLAM: Considering how well you played last season and how the fans embraced you, how difficult was it making the ultimate decision to leave Indiana?

LS: Leaving Indiana was really hard for me. I didn’t want to leave but this is a business and we ended up going our separate ways. I definitely was sad when I left. I actually cried. The day I really knew I was going to leave, that’s when I had tears coming out.

SLAM: Who was the first person in the Pacers organization that you called once you arrived at your decision?

LS: I called Paul. I told him, George, I wanted to be back playing with you next year, but it doesn’t look like it’s going to happen. I just made my decision right now so this is it.

SLAM: For a minute it looked like you might never get the chance to really play significant minutes in Indiana. How was that process from not even being in the rotation to the starting shooting guard?

LS: The process that I went through was definitely tough. Lots of people would have been gave up. My first two years, I was just sitting behind the bench suited up. I told myself while watching those games, Man, one day I’m going to be on this floor and I’m going to let everyone know that no one can mess with me. So when I actually got my shot and coach let me play, I was ready.

SLAM: One of your biggest supporters since day one seemed to have been Larry Bird—even when you sat behind the bench those two years.

LS: I feel like Larry always had my back. He always knew that I was ready. It was just there for me to prove it and show it. I feel like when I finally got the opportunity, they let me show it.

SLAM: You and Kemba Walker will be running the backcourt in Charlotte this season—we’ve been looking back in history to see if there’s ever been another NYC starting backcourt in the League. What do you think of this backcourt’s potential?

LS: I mean, two New York City guards staring in the backcourt? I can’t wait ’til the season starts to see how that’s going to look. But I feel like we’re going to change a lot of things. We’re going to make Charlotte love us. I don’t think there’s ever been a New York City starting backcourt, ever. So that’s going to go down in history.

SLAM: Any predictions for the upcoming season? How much potential do you see in this team?

LS: I think we can be very good. Last year they made it to the Playoffs. They got knocked out by the Heat, but just making it to the Playoffs and being one of the top defensive teams in the League, that means that they could definitely help me. I think I can come in and make that even better.

SLAM: You are one of the few players in the League who isn’t scared to get very physical with LeBron James and try to get in his head. How is it going up against him?

LS: I feel like some players in the NBA just bow down to LeBron before they even start guarding him. When I’m on the court, I feel like everyone is equal. I don’t feel like you’re better than me. I feel like we’re equal and I’m trying to be better than you while we’re on this floor. That’s just my motivation. That’s just from growing up out here. When I’m on that court, I fear no one.

SLAM: Coming back and working with Thomas, who saw Sebastian Telfair and Stephon Marbury battle their way into the League, as well as himself—how is that relationship?

LS: With Jamel, we’ve been working on conditioning this summer. Just working on my body. Shooting off screens and lifting weights. I don’t lift weights, so I’ve been up here lifting weights. Just getting my body toned up cause I haven’t been working on stuff that I used to. I used to workout with Jamel when I was younger. I feel like I need that power back that I had when I was younger. I was explosive. I want to get that explosiveness again.

SLAM: For someone that hasn’t been lifting weights, you’ve always had a bulky NBA physique.

LS: I’ve always looked muscular but I want to look ripped. I want to look strong. I don’t just want to look big.

SLAM: Is this park on West 24th Street the one where you played growing up?

LS: I used to play at all the courts in Coney Island. But this is the court that everyone comes and plays at now. I think this is one of the best courts out here, so they all come to this one.

SLAM: What’s the message you send to this new generation of Coney Island ballers?

LS: You just have to push yourself. I always had my dad to push me or someone like Jamel. I always had people that pushed me and motivated me to get up out of here and become one of the best players to come from here. I want to be one of the best to come out of New York, period. The All-Star is here next year. I have that on my mind. I want to make it for them.

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Bird talks Stephenson's departure

In the long term F Lance Stephenson would have earned more money if he'd re-signed with the Indiana Pacers.  Pacers President thought their offer of $44 million was enough, Stephenson thought other wise and for a few hundred thousand more signed with the Charlotte Hornets.  Bird recently shared his thoughts on Stephenson leaving the franchise that drafted him.

"I really feel bad about losing him,'' Bird said. "I hope it doesn't interfere with our relationship. But I did what I could possibly do to keep him here. Even if he didn't have any other offers, I was committed to giving him that $44 million because I believe in the kid. If you look at our roster, we have five or six guys in the last year of their deals, plus David (West) and Roy (Hibbert) can opt out, so don't you think I wanted to keep Lance and Paul (George) locked into long-term deals?''

"It's just disappointing,'' Bird said. "When I'd go to practices, when he was on, he was by far our best player. And he worked. If you work as hard as he does, you're going to get better. I'm going to miss the kid, no question. And he's growing up. That stuff he pulled in the playoffs, that was out of the blue. But I knew how good Lance was and the value he brought to our team.''

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Q&A: Lance Stephenson

Courtesy of Rick Bonnell 

Bonnell: How did all this come together so suddenly?

"I was already interested. After the meeting I felt very comfortable – that this organization believes in me."

What role did Jordan's presence serve at the meeting?

"He played a big role. He told me what he likes about me, he told me what I need to calm down on. He told me how I can contribute to the team. And he told me he believed in my talent. He likes my competitive edge."

Talk about that edge

"I love to win. When I'm on the court I don't have friends. I'm all about business and all about winning. I'm definitely going to try to be a leader on this squad, and bring winning habits here."

"I feel like I've grown a lot – I'm more of a leader. I learned the game while watching the pros in front of me. Now that I'm on my second contract, I feel I can bring more to the table.

Surprised you aren't still a Pacer?

"I'm definitely surprised. But I'm happy here. I can definitely help this program. It's a family here. I'm definitely going to miss Larry Bird. But it's a business, and I feel like here is more of a family. Lets go get wins."

You said you're a lot more than the guy who blew in LeBron's ear. Could you expand on that?

"I definitely got overshadowed by blowing in LeBron's ear. He's one of the greatest players in the game. So by me doing that to him, it became real big. It overshadowed what I can do on the court – I'm a playmaker, a defender and a leader on and off the court. I've just got to change that around and learn from it."

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Jefferson talks Stephenson

In one of the most underrated moves of the NBA's off-season thus far, the Charlotte Hornets signed G/F Lance Stephenson away from the Indiana Pacers.  It can be argued that the Hornets were one piece away from becoming a serious threat in the Eastern Conference and recently Hornet's big Al Jefferson shared his thoughts on the Stephenson signing.

“I’m excited about Lance......We’re all going to be on the same page as far as defense, and defense dictates the offense.....But Lance is a playmaker. That’s the reason he led the NBA in triple-doubles last year. He’s got this nastiness about his game that you want on your team. I was really excited to hear he signed with us and he wanted to do that. I think he’s got a lot to prove, and he wants to show people he can be a great superstar in this league.”

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Stephenson to Hornets?.......Updated

The Indiana Pacers offered G/F Lance Stephenson $8.8 million over five years and the deal was too low for Stephenson's taste.  With the Charlotte Hornets recently losing their bid to lure Gordon Hayward away from the Utah Jazz and also losing Josh McRoberts to the Miami Heat, there's an abundance of money to spend.  Throughout the day Tuesday, Hornets officials were in contact with Stephenson's representatives about a potential contract offer.


Update:  Stephenson has agreed to a 3 year deal valued at $27 million with the Hornets.

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Pacers/Stephenson talks halted

The Indiana Pacers and Lance Stephenson's contract talks have hit a snag.  The Pacers have offered Stephenson a 5 year contract valued at $44 million.  Stephenson, seeking a better deal, will began talking to other franchises and reports indicate that the Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers, and Charlotte Hornets are interested in acquiring his services.

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Paul George talks Lance Stephenson

After the Indiana Pacers were eliminated from the NBA playoffs this past season Paul George was asked if he wanted restricted free agent Lance Stephenson to return to the franchise.  After pausing George began his comment by stating that he didn't know. Recently George brought clarity to his comment.  

“I think that was taken way out of context,” George said. “Obviously, me and Lance have been here four years together. I would love to continue to keep playing with Lance. When I said ‘I don’t know,’ I was speaking on what he’s going to do. I don’t know what he’s going to do, I don’t know what our front office is going to do and at the end of the day that’s my decision. I went through (contract talks), it was tough, but I would love to see No. 1 back here in a Pacers uniform.”

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Two Pacers Fined

The NBA has fined Indiana Pacers G Lance Stephenson $10,000 for violating the NBA's anti-flopping rules during Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals.  Pacers’ C Roy Hibbert was also fined $5,000 for flopping as well.

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Stephenson says LeBron 'stepped up'

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Stephenson fined

Lance Stephenson has been fined $5K for violating the NBA's anti-flopping rules vs. Heat in Game 2 of ECF on May 20.

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Stephenson takes shot at Wade's knees

The bad blood between the Miami Heat and the Indiana Pacers has been well chronicled as the two franchises are set to square off Sunday in the NBA's Eastern Conference Finals.  For most of the last two seasons, Miami Heat G Dwyane Wade has battled various knee issues which Lance Stephenson of the Pacers will look to take advantage of.  

“D. Wade — I think his knee is messed up, so I’ve got to be extra aggressive and make him run and have him running around and make his knee flare up or something,” he said. “I’ll do anything as much as possible.”

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Pacers' Locker room issue confirmed

For weeks the demise of the Indiana Pacers had puzzled many and despite many feeling that there was a locker room issue it wasn't known for a fact until last evening when YahooSports reported the following:  Lance Stephenson and Evan Turner got into a fight a day before the Pacers lost game 1 to the Atlanta Hawks.

Two Indiana Pacers dragged a cursing, cut Evan Turner out of the Bankers Life Fieldhouse court, untangling him from a practice-floor fistfight with teammate Lance Stephenson.

Turner hadn’t been the first Pacer to lose his temper with Stephenson these tumultuous several weeks, and Stephenson’s relentlessly irritable nature suggests Turner won’t be the last. These scrapes aren’t uncommon in the NBA, but this confrontation had been weeks in the making and that reflected in the ferocity of the encounter, sources told Yahoo Sports.

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