Lance Stephenson left the Indiana Pacers to join Kemba Walker and form an all-New York backcourt that will decide whether the Charlotte Hornets will become a legit threat in the Eastern Conference for many years to come. With Al Jefferson manning the post, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist anchoring the perimeter defense, and Stephenson putting up triple-double stats, the Hornets have the pieces to reach the next level according to Sports Illustrated.
If Stephenson manages to leave his basketball antiques behind and help carry the Hornets deeper into the playoffs, then he will surely be one of the biggest breakout stars in the 2014-15 season. Its not hard to argue that Lance Stephenson was one of the players most deserving of All-Star status in the Eastern Conference last season, per Pro Basketball Talks, after averaging 14.2 points, 7.1 rebounds and 5.7 assists and leading the league in triple-doubles made with LeBron James still in his prime.
With increased minutes and a bigger role in Charlotte, Stephenson's numbers are bound to increase and its not hard to see him finally getting a spot at next season's All-Star games but a lot of that will have to do with how he carries himself in the court and if he leaves his basketball buffoonery behind. Luckily for Hornets fans, though, Stephenson is under the guidance of the greatest player in the NBA: Michael Jordan. Hornets head Coach Steve Clifford told Real GM:
[Jordan] spoke to Lance about the fact that it's one of the ways he can get better. People view Lance's competitiveness sometimes as a weakness, and sometimes he has to channel that energy in the right way.
Hornets' officials around him, and Jordan showered a free agent target with as much praise as constructive criticism: How we'll continue to mold you into one of the NBA's best two-way players. How that edge in the playoffs could work on LeBron James next time around. How you need the Hornets as much as we need you.
Everyone will wait for the next outburst, Jordan told Stephenson, but controlled emotion is key to competition. Now, Stephenson knows cameras will heighten on him for soundbites and endless highlight scrolls come postseason in Charlotte. This is why he spent part of the summer receiving training and guidance from his representatives on ways to handle being the player sent to the press conference room after a playoff game, ways to win over an interview in victory or defeat.
Under the supervision of Clifford, one of the NBA's best system coaches, and Jordan's wisdom and greatness guiding him, Lance Stephenson will make the All-Star team next season, leaving his basketball buffoonery behind.
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