We all know the usual suspects of the Indiana Pacers and some rewards they might see at the end of this season. Paul George will be mentioned in MVP talk, earn an All Star bid, make the first all NBA team, and whatever else comes his way. Roy Hibbert will be a leading candidate for Defensive Player of the Year and should earn his second All Star bid as well. There’s another name that’s been garnering attention greatly over the past week, but has been mentioned a bit this season, Lance Stephenson.
Lance Stephenson is a guy that I believe will be there when Most Improved Player talk heats up. He’s come a long way from the “immature” guy that had plenty of potential to the guy that brings that potential tenfold for the Indiana Pacers. Just look at the past three games, and see how much of an impact Lance Stephenson has made. It came full circle last night as he put on a scoring night with 26 points, a new career high. This season he keeps creating a career high in points as it was 22, then he went out and got 23, now he’s set the bar at 26. Next up, how about 3o points?
Knowing Stephenson would that be far out of the realm of thinking. Even more, how about this idea of an All Star reserve? Just look at the Eastern Conference right now, how many guys should be mentioned beyond the usual suspects of Lebron James, Paul George, Dwayne Wade, Carmelo Anthony (whose team isn’t lighting it up), just to name a few. Those are the names you hear all the time.
Lance Stephenson’s name belongs in the talk for All Star, especially when you consider that the Pacers will probably be at the top of the Eastern Conference when it’s time to pick the coach of that conference. By the way, that magic number for the Pacers to help Frank Vogel earn the honor of coaching is 10 games. Just 10 more wins and the Pacers would have an All Star coach.
Is it so crazy to think that Coach Vogel wouldn’t lobby hard for his guys to be represented there? Michael Grady of 1070 the Fan doesn’t think so.
Looking at the Eastern Conference as a whole, I don't know how West, Roy, AND Lance wouldn't be voted by the coaches to the All Star Game.
— Michael Grady (@Grady) December 24, 2013
Giving the Pacers four All Stars would show that they’re at the top of their game. Isn’t the All Star game for guys at the top of their game right now? Sure, some of the same names will be there year in and year out. But right now, I do believe that the Pacers should send four of their five starters to this game. Do I believe it actually happens? Well, that will be up to the coaches of the East to decide. I would love for it to happen, and with a not so strong East, it should happen.
#AllStarBallot Hibbert. George. Stephenson. West.