Predict the better NBA career Lance or Orlando

[8305]

Stephenson has rare talent. His handle and ability to create could be the perfect compliment to Hill and George. That could mean a great future for him in Indiana. But, is anyone else just a little skeptical? Will you ever be able to trust him to be the initiator of offense? I'm reminded of Bonzi Wells and Isiah Rider. Both had stretches of very good basketball but their lack of maturity neutered their considerable talent.

Orlando Johnson is a lesser talent but he appears to have the necessary skill set to be a pretty good 2. Where the Stephenson intangibles are a little scary, you have to be impressed with Orlando' s maturity. Over about have a season he reinvents his shot and jumps all over a sliver of an opportunity when it comes his way.

If you could only pay one of these guys who would you pick?

[Starkiller]

To me, OJ seems to have a better jumpshot, which is a plus. Lance has the better explosiveness and ball handling, but OJ seems to have a better basketball IQ and doesn't get to out of control like Lance does.

[pacers70]

I agree with Starkiller.

I couldn't have said it better.

[Scoot McGroot]

Eh, tough to say. Ultimately, if someone came to me and said that they'd give me a great package of players/picks for Granger, if we included Lance as the sweetener, I'd do it.

I like what he's done, and he's doing his best to win me over, but I still have the fear of the "knucklehead" with Lance sprouting up some off-season or All-Star weekend.

Edit: I think Orlando could ultimately have a James Jones more than a Michael Redd kind of career. Very useful in the right situation. Low cost. Knows his role and does it well, as opposed to a lights out guy who can take over a game.

[Wizop]

at this point, I'd have to say Lance even though OJ saved last year's draft for me. I say that because Lance has played the point and even though he's proven better at the 2 than the 1 with time I'm sure he can be a combo guard and fit into a 3 man 1-2 rotation. OJ hasn't shown me that he can be anything but a pure 2 yet. I think he'll be able to defend both positions but I just don't know whether he has the peripheral vision to play some point. Lance does see the whole court and his only weakness as a passer is a need to learn to keep it simple and not go for the high risk, spectacular, all or nothing, pass.

Scoot asks a good question. would I want to include either as a throw in on a trade? no, I would not.

[pacers33granger]

I think Lance too. Too bad we can't combine them to make Orlanceo.

[WillBill-420]

I've always been a fan of Lance Stephenson since the summer before his draft... I hope he sticks around with the Pacers as a good roleplayer/starting SG..Orlando Johnson has impressed me in the games I've watched this season. I see a very bright future for the Pacers backcourt

[Starkiller]

Orlanceo would be one hell of a scorer lol.

[8305]

I think both guys have moved beyond throw in level.

If you look at Lance's age, lack of playing time till this year he's essentially a rookie. Not many rookies out performing him. Makes you wonder just how good he could be? The knucklehead factor is still there.. How would we feel about him if this factor wasn't in play?

Orlando seems like a more dynamic player than James Jones to me.

[TheRealMassimo]

Are you serious?

[Gremz]

Stay in school Andy.

[TSC25]

Im a bigger fan of Orlando,he's a better shooter,and I like how lance gets the ball up the court quick,but he's just so out of control,and gets going way to fast,and misses alot of easy layups because he's so out of control.So if they could ever get him to play under control,I think Lance would be the better player,and I would like to see him become more of a lock down defender.

[Jake0890]

I really do like Orlando, but I see more in Lance. I love Lance's athleticism and explosiveness. Not only can he shoot and get to the rim, but he doesn't give up a lot on the defensive end.

Not sure why you guys think OJ is a better jump shooter or scorer. From what I've observed, OJ has a hitch at the top of his jump shot that prevents him from being consistent. If he could fix that, maybe.

But from what I've seen, Lance.

[Moooose]

Lance complements George Hill's game and he is obviously starting to show his potential. I wouldn't be surprised if Lance turns out to be the permanent starting 2 guard in the near future, notably when Granger's contract expires and PG moves to the 3. I believe we need his creativity in the starting lineup to create opportunites for others especially for our bigs.

Orlando Johnson is different, he's tougher and he's got more inside game than Lance. Not a bad shooter too. He's got a scorer's mentality and I think he could be a good weapon off the bench if Lance is starting.

One thing both these guys have in common is their ability to work their way inside with their ball-handling, Lance is more fluid and evades defenders, OJ prefers to bang bodies with players bigger than him.

I'd go with Lance, talent-wise. I just hope he stays mature and stay away from trouble.

[Wizop]

Lance misses layups? that sure has never been my impression. I think he's about the best finisher we have and he has the vision to make the pass on the move when some someone else has a better shot on the break.

the real question in my mind is whether either will become enough of a combo guard to allow them to play together in the back court. a lot of questions disappear if Hill, Stephenson, and Johnson can be a three man rotation.

[PR07]

I think Lance has more upside and has the ability to be a better pro with what he can do with the basketball. However, it wouldn't surprise me at all, if 10 years from now, OJ is still in the league going strong and Lance is out of basketball.