While we were sleeping the Charlotte Hornets were buzzing deep in to the night as they have landed a huge free agent. The charismatic, vilified or how what ever word you use to describe him as a person is vastly different from his playground like basketball antics. Known for his incredible courage to take on Lebron James during the playoffs last season and known for sick crowd pleasing shots, Lance Stephenson has found a new home. Early in the morning of July 16th, he signed a three year deal with the Charlotte Hornets. The deal is reportedly worth $27 million dollars.
As it seems the team has lost out on Gordon Hayward after the Jazz matched their offer sheet to him, the Hornets were looking to make an utter splash to fill seats in their new arena this upcoming fall. The Hornets are all about new, updating and giving the fans something to watch for after a tremendous season and a brief playoff run.
Lance Stephenson had been offered a grand deal by the Indiana Pacers, who even played a tribute movie in his honor the minute free agency started. Stephenson was truly a crowed pleaser and a great scoring threat and gave the team personality. Stephenson is much more than just a strong personality and much more than just a big bag of circus like antics, he is a phenomenal young talent.
Lance was drafted in 2010 with the 40th pick in the draft by the Indiana Pacers. In his first year with the Pacers, his role was demoted because of major on-going maturity issues. In his first start in 2012, he dropped 22 points against the Chicago Bulls. At the expense of Danny Granger’s injury, the Pacers were due to give Lance Stephenson more time and he made the most of the opportunity. In a playoff game against the Knicks, Lance erupted for a career high 25 points, 10 rebounds and three assists and helped lead his team to a victory. Stephenson was finally making a name for himself but in the Eastern Conference Finals, Lebron and Miami’s big three were too much to handle.
After finding his role within the Pacers organization as the teams most outspoken personalities the team was outright determined to find away to re-sign him this offseason. After a season where the Pacers finished as the Eastern conference’s top seed, the Pacers found themselves facing a familiar foe in the Miami Heat. Lance and Lebron were back at it yet again and this time Lance was determined to get inside the head of Lebron. From pulling and quick snap jabs to famously flopping at half court, Lance Stephenson went deep into the dwells of his bag of tricks to do anything to stop Miami. Most famously, he blew in the ear of Lebron James and much to the delight of social media a lot of people found the antic quite hilarious including James who found himself shaking his head while slightly smiling.
After the team yet again fell to the Miami Heat, a lot of people wondered about his maturity and ability to hold a locker room together. During an interview, team president Larry Bird said, “I always want him back. You don’t just let a talent like that walk away if you can help it. There’s going to be a price and we’re not going over that.” The Hornets have found a player who has no trouble being a team player, after all, Lance led the league in triple doubles last season with five and finished second in Most Improved Player Award voting. He waited long to sign and chosen quite an interesting new team but it’s just what he may have needed. A fresh start and a whole new bag of tricks to bring to the Charlotte Hornets and the new fan base.
How do you feel about Lance Stephenson signing with the Charlotte Hornets?
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