2017-18 Pacers Player Reviews: Lance Stephenson

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - APRIL 22: Lance Stephenson #1 of the Indiana Pacers holds the ball up after getting tangled up with LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during game four of the NBA Playoffs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on April 22, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Cavaliers won 104-100. 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) *** Local Caption *** Lance Stephenson;LeBron James /

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LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 01: Indiana Pacers Guard Lance Stephenson (1) poses for a picture before an NBA game between the Indiana Pacers and the Los Angeles Clippers on April 1, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Good Lance: By the numbers

22.6 minutes per game while playing all 82 games

Possibly the most important trait in all of professional sports: availability. By far the most minutes Stephenson has played since his first stint with Indiana, Lance showed up ready to work. He had his ups and his downs, but he was on the court in every game and that should mean something.

5.2 rebounds per game

Stephenson is one of the best rebounding guards in the league. He’s relentless on the glass at times and wants to grab every ball that comes off the rim. His size and athleticism allow him to battle inside with bigger players and we know he doesn’t shy away from contact.

Yes, sometimes it can be to a fault, but too aggressive is much better than not aggressive enough.

9.2 points per game in the regular season, 10.4 points per game in the playoffs

Neither one of these numbers is incredibly impressive at first glance. But Stephenson was the second leading scorer off a bench that desperately needed scoring. His per-36 scoring numbers were actually up from his 12.9 career average to 14.7 this year.

Also, Lance seems to take his game to the next level in the playoffs. He was in attack mode from the jump against Cleveland and was a huge lift for a bench that struggled for most of the series. When Lance Stephenson is good, he’s really good.

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