Do you see Lance becoming a productive pg?

[ziplockfresh]

Discuss. If you think he's a SG, give some reasons. I'd like to read some opinions despite his 18 minutes of NBA playing time.

[Boneman2]

I think he may be the best penetrator on our roster. His combination of size and superb handles were apparent as he often got into the lane for what should have been some easy finishes, that'll change because he drew contact on every penetration and didn't get one foul call. The biggest question will continue to be, can he run an NBA offense. We're starting to find out.

You can't argue with his defense against Curry in the first half.

[JeffFosters]

Yes, I can see him become a productive SG. At the 2-spot he possess above-average quickness, and what seems to be an easily above-average first step. We knew this about him when he played in college, but it's promising to see that it may transfer into the NBA game. I'm not to sure about his shooting range, but that can come with time and training.

The big determinant on Lance's future, whether at PG or SG, is his attitude and maturity. He needs to stay out of trouble and focus on getting better. He could be Dwayne Wade or he could be Tynus Edney..

[Wizop]

he and PG can both get a shot without a screen. except for maybe TJ, we haven't had a player that can do that for a very long time. tonight's game could be interesting. last time we played OKC we had no answer for Westbrook. will Lance get that assignment some tonight? (Dahntay will help there too now that he is out of the doghouse) he hasn't shown the court vision of big time point guards yet but if he can defend the position he's got a chance to be a tough cover there.

[paulgeorge24]

Best case: Tyreke Evans. Worst case: a Shawne Williams/David Harrison combo.

He's already more productive than Price is at running the point. He can get to the basket with ease and can create for himself which makes it easier for him to create for others. As he gets more comfortable I think he'll be the backup to Collison and get a decent amount of minutes. His jump shot needs to improve but his ability to just flat out score makes him really intriguing. As long as he keeps his head on straight I think he'll be fine. He seems like a guy who could get too high or too low and let it effect the team's play or his play respectively. His d will be fine as long as he stays focused.

I think he gets some serious run tonight because I can see Westbrook just eating Collison and especially Price alive. Hopefully that's why Vogel finally decided to play him the last couple games. If we can limit Westbrook, I think we actually have a chance to win, provided KD doesnt go for 50.

[jowglenn]

I think he gets some serious run tonight because I can see Westbrook just eating Collison and especially Price alive. Hopefully that's why Vogel finally decided to play him the last couple games. If we can limit Westbrook, I think we actually have a chance to win, provided KD doesnt go for 50.

The game hasn't even started and westbrook already has 10/6/4. LITERALLY BEFORE THE 1ST QUARTER HAS STARTED. Seriously, go look at hte box score.

[ziplockfresh]

I hope Vogel gives Lance a chance to guard Westbrook tonight.

[jcodbf2]

He is already doing pretty well after not playing and thats with him not accustomed to the speed of the game. He just needs to become a better dribbler .. Seems like he already sees the floor better unlike Price who seems to make up his mind what hes going to do beforehand.

His height is a huge plus too. Would be able to pass over defenders more easily on the PnR and PnP game.

[Grang33r]

Best case: Tyreke Evans. Worst case: a Shawne Williams/David Harrison combo.

Agreed with the best case. But that will take a lot of time, as Stephenson is very raw, since he didn't play against elite competition day in and day out, and he didn't get loads of minutes in pre-season and hasn't played in a real game since October.

I don't agree with worst case. Shawne Williams was a good player, but ran into trouble one too many times, and maybe that's where you were headed with that, but, he's a very good three point shooter right now for the New York Knicks and has provided very good defense. I don't think Lance will ever be that good of a 3-point threat or defender for that matter. Williams is a off the ball type guy and a shooter, while Lance needs the ball in his hands to be effective. And, David Harrison? He was out of shape and had terrible hands. Also had terrible feet work but the heart of a champion. I just don't understand that point, besides a bust is comparable to a bust.

[paulgeorge24]

Best case: Tyreke Evans. Worst case: a Shawne Williams/David Harrison combo.

Agreed with the best case. But that will take a lot of time, as Stephenson is very raw, since he didn't play against elite competition day in and day out, and he didn't get loads of minutes in pre-season and hasn't played in a real game since October.

I don't agree with worst case. Shawne Williams was a good player, but ran into trouble one too many times, and maybe that's where you were headed with that, but, he's a very good three point shooter right now for the New York Knicks and has provided very good defense. I don't think Lance will ever be that good of a 3-point threat or defender for that matter. Williams is a off the ball type guy and a shooter, while Lance needs the ball in his hands to be effective. And, David Harrison? He was out of shape and had terrible hands. Also had terrible feet work but the heart of a champion. I just don't understand that point, besides a bust is comparable to a bust.

Harrison's initial downfall was his mentality and how he would get frustrated and let it effect his game. Williams' was that he hung out with the wrong people in high school and during his time with Indy. Both of them were talented guys and Lance has the potential to have those same types of problems. I could have used a better analogy but a specific player example was eluding me.

[8305]

Frankly the odds aren't in his favor. Where would he be if the Pacers had landed OJ Mayo? Had that acquisition come to fruition Lance might be an afterthought right now. And, its not like we won't be aggressively looking to add talent this summer. A long work stoppage would hurt Lance as well.

The big question, how long will it take for Lance to get it. How long before you can count on him to not hurt the team. Expectations will be sky high next year and there won't be time for someone to learn on the job for an extended period of time.

I think his basic talent package is well beyond Williams and Harrison. If they stick with him the rest of this year and he can grow at the same pace Paul George has, he's got a chance.

[paulgeorge24]

Frankly the odds aren't in his favor. Where would he be if the Pacers had landed OJ Mayo? Had that acquisition come to fruition Lance might be an afterthought right now. And, its not like we won't be aggressively looking to add talent this summer. A long work stoppage would hurt Lance as well.

The big question, how long will it take for Lance to get it. How long before you can count on him to not hurt the team. Expectations will be sky high next year and there won't be time for someone to learn on the job for an extended period of time.

I think his basic talent package is well beyond Williams and Harrison. If they stick with him the rest of this year and he can grow at the same pace Paul George has, he's got a chance.

Mayo wouldnt have had an effect on Lance's playing time considering Rush would have been shipped out. And no expectations will not be sky high next year (neither for the team nor him, as a team we should be alot better, but sky high? Competing for top 6 in the East is not sky high.), he'll probably be expected to show similar growth to PG, considering he's a bit younger than PG, while continuing to stay out of trouble. There are other guys that im worried about hurting the team next year moreso than Lance (DJones, Tyler, Price, etc.)

[Wizop]

team is now saying they held him out until court case was settled. makes sense if they were going to dump him if things went poorly.

[8305]

Frankly the odds aren't in his favor. Where would he be if the Pacers had landed OJ Mayo? Had that acquisition come to fruition Lance might be an afterthought right now. And, its not like we won't be aggressively looking to add talent this summer. A long work stoppage would hurt Lance as well.

The big question, how long will it take for Lance to get it. How long before you can count on him to not hurt the team. Expectations will be sky high next year and there won't be time for someone to learn on the job for an extended period of time.

I think his basic talent package is well beyond Williams and Harrison. If they stick with him the rest of this year and he can grow at the same pace Paul George has, he's got a chance.

Mayo wouldnt have had an effect on Lance's playing time considering Rush would have been shipped out. And no expectations will not be sky high next year (neither for the team nor him, as a team we should be alot better, but sky high? Competing for top 6 in the East is not sky high.), he'll probably be expected to show similar growth to PG, considering he's a bit younger than PG, while continuing to stay out of trouble. There are other guys that im worried about hurting the team next year moreso than Lance (DJones, Tyler, Price, etc.)

I think there is a limit as to the number of new guys you can attempt to bring into a system at once reguardless of positions they play. Pretty good chance OJ and Lance might have overloaded the system. If that were the case Lance would have been the looser. Next season the Pacers intend to be more competitive than they have been this year. Inconsistent fundamentally unsound players can be a big problem for teams in that mode. Not saying Lance's consistenecy and fundamentals are that bad. But, if next season they are he may not play much. If he's going to be a player for the Pacers he needs to start getting consistent minutes next season.

[Grang33r]

Harrison's initial downfall was his mentality and how he would get frustrated and let it effect his game. Williams' was that he hung out with the wrong people in high school and during his time with Indy. Both of them were talented guys and Lance has the potential to have those same types of problems. I could have used a better analogy but a specific player example was eluding me.

Gotcha. Now i understand and agree with you, i just mis-understood your original post. Sorry, i had a feeling this is the road you were trying to go, but i wasn't sure.

[8305]

Lance looked pretty amazing in the first half of the Dallas game. Tyler held Lance to 5 assists in maybe 8 minutes. Makes you wonder just how good he could be.

[jnzook]

i think u r all missing a huge point...stephenson could have been a 1st round pick if not for his off the court problems, and if he had went back to school, would have most def. been a 1st round pick this year, lance has all the promise in the world. he's not your average 2nd round pick(test ur knowledge here) like a jamison brewer. lance has the potential to be well above average to possibly a solid starter. he's only played, what, 4 games now, give the man a chance to actually get comfortable and learn to play before you compare him to 1st round busts such as Harrison and Williams. Lance has a chance. Chance-Lance. Thats how i will refer to him from here on out.

[Indy2thaWindy]

That's crazy. I wanted to post this picture in the last game thread but for some reason I didn't.

[Joel Embust]

Jamison Brewer, so sexy...

[Scoot McGroot]

Jamison Brewer, so sexy...

Never did a young man look so good in so many different suits as he did during his short Pacers career.