Is lance stephenson ready to run the point?

chillfan23 · Post #1 » by **chillfan23** » Tue Jul 6, 2010 3:51 pm

After an impressive 21 pts in his first summer league game, Lance showed us that he is ready to play at an NBA Level. We will have to see how consistent he is throughout the summer. What do you think about the possibility of Lance running the point this year in Indiana?

here is article with an in-depth analysis of Stephenson's performance in his first summer league game:

http://www.fanfeedr.com/nba/2010/07/06/ ... r-at-point

pacersrule08 · Post #2 » by **pacersrule08** » Tue Jul 6, 2010 4:16 pm

IMO a definite yes

Crossova21 · Post #3 » by **Crossova21** » Tue Jul 6, 2010 4:42 pm

YES...i'd much rather see him run point than Farmar...besides he's cheap and will sell tickets

robear · Post #4 » by **robear** » Tue Jul 6, 2010 4:56 pm

No. Felipe Lopez #2...

DWCP2 · Post #5 » by **DWCP2** » Tue Jul 6, 2010 4:57 pm

I think he play's #3 PG, but could step into the backup role by midseason, which is why the Pacers would want a backup vet PG on a one year contract, easily moveable or keepable for the year pending the outcome of the development.

???--Ford?--Stephenson--Price
George--B. Rush
Granger--D. Jones--Dunleavy
Murphy?--Hansborough--McRoberts--Rolle
Hibbert--Foster--S. Jones

Boneman2 · Post #6 » by **Boneman2** » Tue Jul 6, 2010 4:58 pm

I know it is just one game, but Lance was clearly above the competition, displaying his classic NYC pg fundamentals. Clearly he possesses that particular skill and knowledge I've grown to adore by watching Vern, Jackson and Tinsley for the better part of three decades. Below is his postgame interview.

http://www.nba.com/video/channels/nba_tv/2010/07/05/20100705_scott_stephenson.nba/

Will he start? I can't really judge that until he plays against better competition. The summer league is basically filled with the entire draft and rif-raf.

In 02' there was a kid being labeled the next Scottie Pippen. He was an unknown but worked his way into lottery contention, as the draft neared his stock began to waver and he was taken 21st. When it came time for the summer league, Qyntel Woods demolished the whole event, averaging 30 + ppg. Unfortuantely, that is where the story ends. ( he plays in Europe)

When these young guys can go toe-to-toe with vets then we can deem them a starter. But I will give Lance this, he is physically ready and that's real important because he stands a better chance than someone who can't handle the abuse. It is all mental with him, and he still has such a long tough road to hoe. We'll see.

pacersrule08 · Post #7 » by **pacersrule08** » Tue Jul 6, 2010 5:30 pm

here is a link from pacers digest. it is different videos of him playing

http://www.pacersdigest.net/2010/07/06/the-lance-stephenson-show-21-pts-5-ast-2-to/

chillfan23 · Post #8 » by **chillfan23** » Tue Jul 6, 2010 5:35 pm

I think Stephenson will be a great player only if he grows up and stops acting so immature. I think being in Indiana is good for Stephenson because he will not be around his friends from Brooklyn who are not a good influence to him. I have been following lance since he was a 10th grader and I would like him to do well in the league!

8305 · Post #9 » by **8305** » Tue Jul 6, 2010 6:15 pm

Way too early to tell if Lance is ready to run the point. I am encouraged that he may be the Pacers long term answer at point guard. It would be fantastic if that's the way this thing turns out. (Where are all those guys who were sold on Eric Bledsoe?) It would appear the Pacers should give Stephenson every opportunity to win the starting position.

We could also have an experience similar to Sacremento with Tyreke Evens (great player but not a point guard). Or, an experience similar to almost every team in the NBA (a guy who absolutely tears it up in the Rookie league only to return to earth when he has to go against the big boys every night).

The Pacers still need to find a competent point guard to either serve as a back up or run the team in the very likely event that Lance isn't up to being the starter. Either way there are 20 to 36 minutes a night available to whoever we bring in.

Moooose · Post #10 » by **Moooose** » Wed Jul 7, 2010 8:13 am

If Lance would be consistent all throughout this "training" process, and exceeds the coaches' expectations, there is a big chance he could be the starting PG. He might not have that much assists but as long as he can bring the ball up front, defend other faster PG's, and maintains a good court vision, he could be effective.

Indy2thaWindy · Post #11 » by **Indy2thaWindy** » Wed Jul 7, 2010 8:46 am

He isn't gettin assists cuz nobody is hittin their shots except him and Magnum.

jowglenn · Post #12 » by **jowglenn** » Wed Jul 7, 2010 9:07 am

I seriously, seriously doubt that he becomes the starting PG any time this season, much less from the beginning.

2thawindy, I believe it was you who insanely stated out on the trades board, maybe, that if O'brien doesn't start stephenson at point in game 1, he should be fired.

Which is insane. Most guys who are genuine, NBA-ready PG types don't even start in game 1 of their rookie year. Deron Williams only started 47 games his rookie season. Rondo only started 25 games.

Stephenson..... isn't even a PG. He hasn't been a PG in his career, he's been a scorer.

Starting him at point at the beginning of the season would be one of the most ridiculous things ever. Ever. In history.

You need someone with PG competence, not some guy who's never even played an NBA game, or ever played PG, suddenly a starting PG in an NBA game.

Sign a decent stop-gap starter. Farmar, Felton, Ridnour, whatever. Use Stephenson as the 3rd PG (starter/Ford/lance) and go from there. Let him get Ford's minutes before he tries to start getting starter's minutes.

Let's be careful about hyping this guy up so much out on the boards, because if he fails, we will get laughed at for a long time. 2thawindy, you have already said some stuff that, if stephenson fails, is sig-worthy.

Moooose · Post #13 » by **Moooose** » Wed Jul 7, 2010 9:59 am

jowglenn wrote:I seriously, seriously doubt that he becomes the starting PG any time this season, much less from the beginning.

2thawindy, I believe it was you who insanely stated out on the trades board, maybe, that if O'brien doesn't start stephenson at point in game 1, he should be fired.

Which is insane. Most guys who are genuine, NBA-ready PG types don't even start in game 1 of their rookie year. Deron Williams only started 47 games his rookie season. Rondo only started 25 games.

Stephenson..... isn't even a PG. He hasn't been a PG in his career, he's been a scorer.

Starting him at point at the beginning of the season would be one of the most ridiculous things ever. Ever. In history.

You need someone with PG competence, not some guy who's never even played an NBA game, or ever played PG, suddenly a starting PG in an NBA game.

Sign a decent stop-gap starter. Farmar, Felton, Ridnour, whatever. Use Stephenson as the 3rd PG (starter/Ford/lance) and go from there. Let him get Ford's minutes before he tries to start getting starter's minutes.

Let's be careful about hyping this guy up so much out on the boards, because if he fails, we will get laughed at for a long time. 2thawindy, you have already said some stuff that, if stephenson fails, is sig-worthy.

That's why we're grooming him to be a PG. What's the use of making him play PG in the summer league and training him during practices if he's not gonna get minutes as a PG. He may turn out to be a combo guard but he's surely get minutes as a point guard nonetheless, unless Obie wants to divide the minutes at SG among George, Rush, and Stephenson, which is more ridiculous.
Yes, maybe you're right it's wrong to get over-hyped, besides it's just the summer league, but you gotta be happy with what we have, some are just really really happy.
Before the summer league, i am one solid doubter that Stephenson could be a PG. But it surprised me how well he did, and the coaches appear to be impressed with his "transition". He doesn't have to change his game that much, i mean his scoring instincts and ball-dominating nature, he just have to develop some playmaking skills and sharpen his court vision - i believe we're seeing this now, and he just needs to be consistent.
My thinking is that, if Stephenson would turn out to be better than expected in playing PG, he could overtake any stop-gap PG we could sign like Farmar, etc. And the good thing is, he won't be another on-year rental. Sure, we could still sign another young veteran PG to start some games, but i won't be surprised if Lance wins the starting spot some time next season.
The Portland Trailblazers selecting Sam Bowie over Michael Jordan in the 1984 NBA Draft will still be more ridiculous than starting Stephenson.

jowglenn · Post #14 » by **jowglenn** » Wed Jul 7, 2010 10:41 am

Oh , I absolutely agree that Stephenson COULD overtake any stopgap we get.

But first game of the season, you want somebody who has PG experience... or NBA experience at least... as your starting PG.

I hope stephenson proves so good that he earns the starting spot, but there's no way he's there now. Even if he was good enough, with his mentality and, ahem, issues, you want to make him earn it, instead of just giving it to him.

DeeJay · Post #15 » by **DeeJay** » Wed Jul 7, 2010 12:12 pm

Yeah i agree that Stephenson should earn the starting spot but i would love to see him start some games. His potential seems unlimited. An athletic guard that yes, is mainly a scorer, but i reckon he can get people involved and dish out those assists. He's shown signs of it during the Summer League. And yes i know it's only the summer league but that's where you start right?
I'm just really looking forward to seeing how Goerge, Stephenson and even Rolle go for the Pacers.

Wizop · Post #16 » by **Wizop** » Wed Jul 7, 2010 9:45 pm

he's a rookie with only one year of college. if he could deserve to be the #2 point guard behind a veteran, that would be wonderful. 6 minutes a game is probable. 12 would be wonderful. 24 or more would probably be a mistake just as it was a mistake when Isiah handed the starting spot to Tinsley in training camp.

to be safely protected against foul trouble, you really need three guys who can play the point. wish we could count Price in that number. I suppose TJ Ford counts. but will playing TJ help or hurt LS?

chatard5 · Post #17 » by **chatard5** » Fri Jul 9, 2010 2:30 pm

He was Born Ready.

pwee31 · Post #18 » by **pwee31** » Sat Jul 10, 2010 2:54 am

He better be b/c it doesn't seem like Bird is looking for another PG

Wizop · Post #19 » by **Wizop** » Sat Jul 10, 2010 5:02 pm

pwee31 wrote:He better be b/c it doesn't seem like Bird is looking for another PG

that's not how I read Bruno. I think Stephenson has shown enough that we are now looking for one point guard instead of two. they are saying Price will be back in October which is much better than I feared. Stephenson and Price may be the future but we need a veteran other than TJ to hold down the fort and mentor them.