The theme of today's Nets game against the Pacers is "return," which is not only Irving's season debut, but also Lance Stephenson's third game since returning to the Pacers. As a result, Stephenson played 32 minutes off the bench, shooting 12-of-19, including 4-of-8 from three-point range and 2-of-2 from the free throw line, with 30 points, 3 rebounds and five assists, and 20 points in the first quarter, almost ruining Irving's season debut.
This turned out to be Stephenson's second highest score in his career and the second time in his career that he scored 30+ points per game. If you consider the last overtime (march 11, 2016, the Grizzlies won 121-114 at home overtime to the Pelicans, and Stephenson, who also played for the Grizzlies at the time, scored 33 points), this game was the first time in Stephenson's career that he scored 30 points in a game that ended in regular time. This is undoubtedly incredible. You know, Stephenson has "three into the palace" walkers. 31 years old is not old, but Stephenson has long since lost his courage.
After watching Stephenson's performance, the Pacers even began to solicit votes for him to be selected as an All-Star. Indiana fans also cheered the veteran on the stage. Coach Carlisle also admitted after the game that Stephenson and the fans have established a "real, magical connection" and praised him.
This year, due to the epidemic, teams have had to sign people to save the emergency, and among the players who signed this wave, none of them have performed like Stephenson; in addition, there are many players who want to return after leaving the NBA, and there are no players who have not performed like Stephenson. Perhaps, "I can't really guess you" is the most real feeling for Stephenson fans all along.
Stephenson was born in Brooklyn, New York, on September 5, 1990. He joined an AAU team in the Bronx at the age of 12 and his outstanding performances caught the attention of a scout named Clark Francis. He initially chose Bishop Laurin Memorial High School and soon transferred to Abraham Lincoln High School on Coney Island, which was the alma mater of Marbury and his cousin Sebastian Terfer.
Stephenson is interested in competing with his seniors. The school's men's basketball coach Dwyane Morton also revealed: "Lance always said he was going to overtake Sebastian, over Steven, and he was the best player I've seen at Lincoln High School. ”
Coach Morton is not bragging. Under Stephenson's leadership, Lincoln High School won the New York State College League 2A State Championship for four consecutive years. Stephenson has also made a name for himself as a high school student of the year by the New York Daily News for two consecutive times, and was named to the Usa Today's Best High School Student Lineup. In addition, he surpassed Telfer with 2946 points to become the new York State high school student's all-time scorer, was named The Basketball Man of New York State, and was invited to participate in the McDonald's All-American Star Game.
When it came to choosing which colleges to go to, Stephenson initially narrowed his choice to three colleges, Including Kansas, St. John's and Maryland. But since then he has repeatedly postponed the announcement. After many twists and turns, Stephenson chose the University of Cincinnati. After a season here, Stephenson played in 34 games, averaging 12.3 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game, and was named the rookie of the Great East Division. Subsequently, he announced that he would participate in the 2010 NBA Draft ahead of schedule.
Eventually, Stephenson didn't hear his name called until the 40th pick in the second round, and the Pacers took him to Indiana. As a second-round pick, Stephenson had few chances at first, playing 54 games in the first two seasons, and the only starting opportunity was due to the injury of the Pacers' brother Granger at the time.
It wasn't until the third season of his career that Stephenson finally got his chance, and that was still thanks to Granger. Granger played just five games this season with a knee injury, and Stephenson quickly took the position. He played in 78 games, starting 72 games, averaging 8.8 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game, and averaged 9.4 points, 7.6 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game in the playoffs. The desperate Stephenson broke out again in the fourth season of his career. He averaged 13.8 points, 7.2 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game that season, shooting 49.1 percent from the field and 35.2 percent from three-point range.
At the same time, before Westbrook began his crazy journey, Stephenson scored five triple-doubles this season, which was the league triple-double king. Honors followed, with him coming in second place in the selection of the Season's Most Improved Player Award, behind the Suns' Dragic, which also failed to visit the Pacers for the third time in 6 years.
As the performance rose, Stephenson's mind came alive. After the Pacers offered a five-year, 44 million contract, he shook his head like a rattle and chose to test the waters of the free agent market, convinced that he deserved a richer contract. In the end, Stephenson chose to sign the Hornets for 3 years and 27 million.
From the perspective of the post-Zhuge Ge, it was at the moment of making this decision that Stephenson's NBA career went downhill ahead of schedule. Stephenson's technical prowess and high spirits were evident in his counterattack in just 3 years to complete the second round. However, he is equally famous for his good-natured personality. This is evident in his interactions with James, most notably the "blow valve" incident.
In the Pacers, under the "big bird" Bird, thorns like Artest and Stephenson can still be restrained, and the Pacers lack the characteristics of breaking through the top soldiers but the team is excellent in defense, which gives Stephenson plenty of room to play. However, neither the Wasps nor any team that has been transferred since then owes a debt of gratitude on both points. When Stephenson, who left to compete for the boss, suddenly found that he had to fight for the playing time again, his career path became narrower and narrower.
After a tossing between the Hornets, Clippers, Grizzlies, Pelicans and Timberwolves, Stephenson returned to the Pacers midway through the 2016-17 season, but left again a year later. After a season of unspeakable success with the Lakers, he signed to the CBA and committed himself to the development league. Late last year, the Hawks gave him the opportunity to have the NBA as his man again. Now, for the third time, he has put on the Pacers' robe.
The so-called "fate is indescribable". Also from Brooklyn, also from Lincoln High School, Stephenson and Marbury's NBA careers are similar. The two have also had brilliant experiences, both have deteriorated their careers due to personality flaws, and have also been entangled with a team; the difference is that Stephenson does not have a high starting point as Marbury (which adds a second-round show counterattack), and Marbury has not had the opportunity to return to the NBA like Stephenson.
Even this time, Stephenson could only sing "Unfortunately Not You" with the Pacers, but when he made his signature guitar-playing celebration again in this game, he at least left the most vivid memory in the minds of Indian City fans. (Supine Braces/Hairy)