8 points, 9 seconds
Fansided

Lakers use LeBron James to lure Lance Stephenson to Los Angeles

By Ben Gibson

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 and LeBron James will share the court this fall in Los Angeles as both signed free agent deals with the Lakers.

There was one question that had to be answered this summer: Where would Lance Stephenson play basketball next season? We have the answer now as the former Pacers wing signed a one-year, $4.5 million deal to play with the Los Angeles Lakers and LeBron James.

Imagine hearing that LeBron and Lance would be on the same team back in 2014, much less on the Lakers.

Some of Stephenson’s most absurd moments came against LeBron James but after one last battle as opponents, the two will pursue a championship together. This may actually be the most absurd moment of Lance’s career.

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If our social media is any indication, the Pacers fanbase didn’t want to see him go and almost expected Kevin Pritchard to re-sign the beloved swingman when the time was right. It doesn’t matter that Indiana signed a solid backup small forward earlier in the day, the fans just wanted Stephenson back.

Stephenson earned his love and hate from Pacers fans thanks to being himself. Stephenson’s belief in himself in any situation created what made him great, but also what cost Indiana games at times. In the end, those balanced out more than anything else.

Stephenson’s first exit from the Pacers wasn’t so bittersweet. The WWE actually trolled Pacers fans in Indianapolis by putting one of their heel wrestlers in a Stephenson jersey — and it worked.

But in his return at the end of the 2016-17 season, Stephenson provided the spark that might have gotten Indiana into the playoffs. His attitude was back and by Stephenson’s standards, there was a bit of humility as Indiana gave him a second chance.

It didn’t take long for there to be a Lance Moment as he put up a layup in the final seconds that pissed of a losing Toronto Raptors team.

Funnily enough, he would be teammates with the Raptor that chucked the ball at his head the next season when Cory Joseph joined the Pacers.

Stephenson played in the final 10 games of that season before putting in a final full-length one with the Pacers. This season, he averaged 9.2 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 2.9 assists a game as the Pacers surprised many by winning 48-games and pushed LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers to seven games in their first-round series.

Stephenson was a neutral force overall in his second stint with the Pacers. The good and bad roughly balanced out in the end, but the love for Lance Stephenson remained the same.

Next: Thaddeus Young vs the Raccoon

He reminded us there was just something special about him in a Pacers jersey, and those memories won’t fade quickly in Indiana.

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