8 points, 9 seconds
Fansided

Lance Stephenson makes Frank Ntilikina dance

By Ben Gibson

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 04: Lance Stephenson #1 of the Indiana Pacers goes to the basket against Frank Ntilikina #11 of the New York Knicks in the first half of a game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on December 4, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using the photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 04: Lance Stephenson #1 of the Indiana Pacers goes to the basket against Frank Ntilikina #11 of the New York Knicks in the first half of a game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on December 4, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using the photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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Lance Stephenson makes Frank Ntilikina dance during the Indiana Pacers win over the New York Knicks.

No one in the NBA has swagger like Lance Stephenson. The Indiana Pacers swingman took New York Knicks rookie Frank Ntilikina to the dance floor on Monday night and the results were beautiful.

For Stephenson that is.

Lance used a series of ball fakes, hesitations, and a spin move to make his way to the basket for a lay-up as the Pacers started to pull away in the second quarter of their rout over the Knicks.

That possession epitomizes the Lance Stephenson in so many ways; the only thing missing was some overdribbling. Stephenson added his unique flair to the possession with enough unneeded motion to impress Rube Goldberg. But just like the namesake’s machines, Stephenson accomplished his goal while making a simple task look hard, and entertaining us along the way.

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Stephenson finished the game with 9 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and a steal.

Despite the way he plays, Stephenson’s game is efficient and productive as of late. In the last 10 games, Lance averaged 10.9 points on 58.1% shooting from the floor and 54.5% from long range. His 9 points on Monday were the first time in six games he failed to reach double-digits. He is also averaging 6.1 rebounds and 3.2 assists during this stretch.

In that time we’ve seen Lance pull out an air guitar, lead the Pacers to a win, and act a damn fool in the best ways possible.

Stephenson’s game is often fueled by his own swagger and in the last few weeks, it’s worked to perfection for him and the Pacers. Stephenson starts making shots early and when he is at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, the crowd is ready to cheer his every move as he powers up.

In an era of basketball where we glorify analytics — and rightly so — Stephenson plays in a way that defies logic at times but still ends up working. Stephenson’s play isn’t just fun for the fans, either. He typically makes his teammates better even if they must be ready at any moment for something absolutely ridiculous.

Next: December usually tells us what to expect from the Pacers

If this season needs a patron saint to personify the fun the Indiana Pacers are having, look no further than Sir Lancealot himself.

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