Roy Hibbert anchors the interior, Paul George garners the MVP talk and David West brings a polished brand of nasty, but swingman Lance Stephenson is what makes the Indiana Pacers go.
He's wild and poised, brash and humble. He's beloved in the Circle City and hated in every other NBA arena.
The 23-year-old has failed to live up to once-lofty expectations, yet has lifted his ceiling during each of his three-plus seasons in the Association. He's been both a basketball prodigy and a lost cause but has carved out a wildly productive identity in the middle ground.
He may never be the game-changing talent fans saw when "Born Ready" was tearing through the famed New York City hoops scene. But he could be the final boost needed to help the Pacers clear their championship hurdle.
Two-Way Versatility
Stephenson's game looks like one whose craft was honed on the blacktop. It's been his blessing and his curse.
On the plus side, it's helped him strengthen the string between his hand and the basketball. He's a nightmare matchup for one-on-one defenders, with the ability to attac ...
Read Full Article at Bleacher Report - NBA
Article written by Zach Buckley
Why Lance Stephenson Is the NBA’s Ultimate X-Factor
December 24th, 2013 by Zach Buckley Leave a reply »
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