2. Lance Stephenson is BALLING folks!
I will let everyone know early…half of this will be biased and the other half will be analyzed. Lance follows a very strong Phoenix performance…
https://twitter.com/Lakers/status/1055317605228003328?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1055317605228003328&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Flakeshowlife.com%2F2018%2F10%2F25%2Flos-angeles-lakers-4-takeaways-win-suns%2F
With a performance that was more meaningful and possibly saved the Lakers season. Before that big run in the fourth quarter. The Nuggets had L.A. on the ropes being up by eight. But Lance started the flurry that led to the knockout blow with the bullet pass to James on the fast break that blew the roof off the Staples Center.
The @Lakers' 4th-quarter comeback last night was wild. 👀 pic.twitter.com/JszgNRtNDU
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) October 26, 2018
Let’s try to get past this “Lance and dancing” bit for a second. What you see is a guy that can create his own offense. Somebody that does not need LeBron to generate offense like the roster left in Cleveland. You see that with the 3-point shot in the video…Lance creates space on Malik Beasley and shoots the jumper in his face…
The next highlight, you see that Lance sees Jamal Murray out of position and Jokic is in trouble on an island trying to get back to the paint. Instead of wasting dribbles, he attacks the rim for the easy layup.
Looking at the LeBron’s fast break dunk again, watch the Lakers run their lanes hard and fast. Lance sees James outrunning the Nuggets to the basket. He takes one dribble and gets it ahead quickly for the dunk.
THIS…is what the Lakers need to do this season. Lance, for the time being, is showing that he understands the concept. He gets the pass from Lonzo Ball, takes one dribble and gives it up quickly. This is sending a message to the young guys…run hard and with purpose, you get the ball.
What Lance Stephenson brings to this team is toughness, attitude and swagger. I know what this guy can do for the Lakers. The Cavaliers had no business in the NBA Finals last year. The Pacers should have beaten the Cavs. They lost because for some reason the Pacers did not play Lance enough in game seven.
LeBron is no fool, he knows that Stephenson will play hard and compete. He brings fire and intensity to the Lakers. The younger players are going to love playing with him. He allows them to relax and play their own games. That’s why he is very crucial to the second unit…
https://twitter.com/AthleteSwag/status/1055321091848237057?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1055321091848237057&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Flakeshowlife.com%2F2018%2F10%2F25%2Flos-angeles-lakers-4-takeaways-win-suns%2F
That’s in Phoenix…
Lance is feeling this Lakers' run 😭 pic.twitter.com/cyEQvMAMBM
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) October 26, 2018
This is 24 hours later!!!!! This is Lance Stephenson. The Lakers have to let him be like this good, bad or indifferent! Last game he scored the LOUDEST 12 points in an NBA game in the last 20 years!
That being said…
The coaching staff and LeBron James are going to have to treat Lance like the hot coals to a locomotive. They are the engineers to the locomotive. It is on them to be able to harness and control the fire that Lance brings every night.
This performance may not be needed every night. They may need something else from him that is different from the flash that was seen in the Denver game. If they control this right, he can be the gasoline that fuels this team through the season. If not, he can also be the gasoline that blows up the locker room.
Fans, from a guy who is a legitimate fan of Stephenson (I even know what college he went to..It goes back that far!) You have to be patient with Lance. He’s an acquired taste. For every play you saw last night that was great, you will get plays all season that will drive you nuts. Deal with it…I do.
https://twitter.com/BleacherReport/status/1055680685283766274