Indiana Pacers: 5 Reasons To Bring Lance Stephenson Home

Apr 24, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Lance Stephenson (1) shoots the ball against the Atlanta Hawks in the fourth quarter in game three of the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena. The Hawks defeated the Pacers 98-85. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

5. Superstar Potential

The Indiana Pacers saw Lance Stephenson go from an off-court issue to an on-court star, and he wasn’t even close to his full potential. He took the big leap last season from role player to star, and he showed flashes of the “superstar” potential that some saw in him during his collegiate career at Cincinnati. Larry Bird had taken a special interest in Stephenson from day one, and it is because he saw how special of a player Stephenson was.

Stephenson hasn’t been allowed to play the style that made him a star last season with the Hornets, and that is something that has become a major concern and frustration. It appears that Charlotte is looking to cut ties with Stephenson, and the Pacers have to figure out a way to persuade them to send him back to where he came from. Bird will remain active on the phone, and perhaps they can get something done prior to the NBA’s trading deadline.