Lance Stephenson Should Not Be A Denver Nugget Free Agent Target
By Len Nunes
Lance Stephenson (1) Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Would I like the Denver Nuggets to acquire a shooting guard to move Randy Foye to first off the bench instead of starter? Yes. Do I want that shooting guard to be Lance Stephenson? No!
Stephenson is the tender age of 23 and will be an unrestricted free agent this July. He shot an incredible .491 from the field during the regular season. That puts him 6th overall amongst guards who played more than half of the 2013-14 season. How is he doing in the playoffs though? In game seven of the first round of the playoffs, Lance Stephenson responded to the pressure by shooting 8 of 12 from the field. Stephenson also lead the Pacers in rebounds. In the first two games of the much anticipated series versus the two time champion Miami Heat, Stephenson shot a combined 18 of 29 from the field and 3 of 6 from beyond the arc.
For all the potential Lance Stephenson exudes, the above video is a black mark on his resume. His resume also has the added black marks of not one, but two flopping fines these playoffs. Stephenson is also the author of the following quote:
"“I’ve got to be extra aggressive and make (Dwyane Wade) run and have him running around and make his knee flare up or something.”"
I understand the concept of “gamesmanship” and how easily it can be confused with black marks on a players resume. Food for thought, if the Indiana Pacers are having second thoughts about re-signing Stephenson, Denver should stay away.