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2017-18 Pacers Player Reviews: Lance Stephenson

By Jacob Breece

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
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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Lance Stephenson Indiana Pacers
CLEVELAND, OH – APRIL 29: Lance Stephenson #1 of the Indiana Pacers shoots the ball against LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game Seven of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 29, 2018 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Bad Lance: By the numbers

42.7 percent shooting from the field

The one aspect of Stephenson’s game that he has yet to find is his shooting. His form is fine, but it’s often inconsistent and his footwork is lazy. Lance is solid off the bounce and can get to the rim consistently, but that makes him so frustrating at other times. After a made basket, Stephenson has the tendency to take a bad heat-check when he could get to the rim instead.

He needs to learn to play to his strengths more often and to attack instead of settle. That being said, 43% is a workable number. If Lance can find a way to master his mid-range while taking more shots at the rim I would expect a more efficient 2018-19 season.

28.9 percent shooting from three-point range

This is the most alarming number of all. Not only does Stephenson shoot under 30% from deep, he took almost 3 triples per game; his most in a season since 2013-14 when he shot a much better percentage at 35 percent. Once again his inconsistent footwork and shot selection make him hard to play at times.

The problem is not so much his poor shooting percentage, but the fact that he shoots so many. Lance shot more threes per game than 3 point specialists Jodie Meeks and Jabari Parker while playing fewer minutes than both.

The bright side from his poor shooting from deep is that he can be a good player without it. His ability to attack and do other things well keeps him on the court. Shooting fewer threes or upping his percentage just a tad for 2018-19 may lead to one of his best seasons yet.

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