Lance Stephenson was once among the best role players in the NBA when he was with the Indiana Pacers (for his first stint).
During the 2014 season, Stephenson helped lead the Pacers to the Eastern Conference finals.
He finished that year with averages of 13.8 points, 7.2 rebounds and 4.6 assists per contest while shooting 49.1% from the field and 35.2% from the three-point range in 78 games.
Dec 1, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Indiana Pacers guard Lance Stephenson (1) reacts against the Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre. The Raptors beat the Pacers 120-115. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-Imagn Images / Tom Szczerbowski-Imagn Images
That summer, Stephenson signed a deal with the Charlotte Hornets.
He was never able to regain the same magic that he had with the Pacers.
Lance Stephenson and the @hornets reportedly agree to a 3-year, $27M contract http://t.co/sidlGg1Arh pic.twitter.com/UlRKCMEJRm
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) July 16, 2014
In an interview with 7PM in Brooklyn, Stephenson made an honest statement about his career (h/t @HornetsReddit).
Stephenson: “Once I got paid, I didn’t keep that hunger. I kind of slowed… I should have just started going harder and harder. That’s the only part of my career I feel like, damn I should have changed that right there.”
Stephenson would go on to play for the Minnesota Timberwolves, Los Angeles Lakers, Memphis Grizzlies, LA Clippers, Atlanta Hawks and New Orleans Pelians.
He also had two more stints with the Pacers.
His career averages were 8.6 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.9 assists per contest while shooting 44.5% from the field and 31.4% from the three-point range in 554 games.
Via @ThrowbackHoops: “Paul George and Lance Stephenson led the Pacers to a Game 1 win in the ECF against the Heat! (2014)
George: 24 pts, 7 ast, 4 reb, 1 stl
Stephenson: 17 pts, 8 ast, 4 reb, 1 stl”
May 18, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Lance Stephenson (1) takes a shot past Miami Heat forward Chris Andersen (11) during the second period of game one of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images / Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images