Stephenson is the NBA's most frustrated top-level forward in recent years, not one of them. In the 2012-13 season, Stephenson helped the Pacers reach the Eastern Conference Finals as an absolute mainstay. In the final game against the Knicks in the Eastern Conference semifinals, Stephenson had 20 points and five rebounds. The Eastern Conference Finals opponent was the Heat, and against james, the active first man at the time, Stephenson limited it well. The following 2013-14 season, Stephenson met James in the Eastern Conference Finals, and he once again had a good performance on the defensive end. Stephenson rose to fame as the most defensive James-focused small forward in the East. On the offensive end, Stephenson did not give in vain, in front of James, he had 25 points and 6 rebounds in a single game. Also a good playmaker, Stephenson has delivered six assists in a single game in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Stephenson made James suffer a certain amount and is expected to challenge each other for many years to come. But just 2 seasons later, Stephenson was reduced to the NBA's base salary. In the 2016-17 season, Stephenson signed the Pelicans to a one-year, $1.23 million contract. This was just the beginning of the fall, and next, Stephenson was cut several times and gradually faded out of the NBA. In 2019, Stephenson was forced to play in the CBA and joined the Liaoning men's basketball team.
Even in the CBA, Stephenson failed to play too well, at least not a qualified cornerstone. The shots were poorly shot, and Stephenson relied too much on breakthroughs, resulting in an unstable offense. On the defensive end, Stephenson was even more careless, often showing walking behavior. In order to introduce Stephenson is a lot of money, he behaved so well, the Liaoning men's basketball team can not be satisfied. In the end, Stephenson's cooperation with the Liaoning men's basketball team did not reach this season, nor did it conquer the CBA.
After returning to the United States, Stephenson has not given up on his dream of returning to the NBA, and has entered the development league to play. But it wasn't until this season, when the pacers, his old club, gave Stephenson a 10-day contract that he was able to return to the NBA. In fact, Stephenson's return is not optimistic, because it has faded out of the NBA for too long, and the previous performance has been dismal.
Unexpectedly, Stephenson played it. Against the championship-winning Nets, Stephenson played 32 minutes and scored 30 points, as well as five assists and three rebounds. Against the Western Conference Jazz, Stephenson had 16 points, 14 assists, four steals and six rebounds, and his performance at all three ends of the attack and defense was almost perfect.
Performing well, Stephenson was able to turn right and will remain with the Pacers this season. The reason for being able to complete the turnaround is that Stephenson himself has a strong strength, as exemplified by james. It's even more that Stevenson now learns to cherish it, knows that opportunities are not easy to come by, and starts to give his all on the court.
As the saying goes, the prodigal son does not change his head, and Stephenson also performed such a story. For Stephenson, it is difficult for him to regain his former glory, but if he can play hard and stay in the NBA as a role player, it is not difficult.