Los Angeles Lakers: “Born Ready” Lance Stephenson is playing his role well

Many people were skeptical that Lance Stephenson could be a reliable contributor for the Los Angeles Lakers this season, but so far he’s been getting it done, especially on the offensive end.

In early July, the Los Angeles Lakers signed Lance Stephenson to a one-year contract. Many people, including myself, criticized the move because we felt that his best years were behind him, even though he is only 28 years old.

But, in the early going of this season, he has proved to be a solid contributor off the bench. He has given the purple and gold an offensive spark, looked to hit the open man when appropriate and has even given the team a spark emotionally and spiritually.

It wasn’t a long time ago that Stephenson was a solid up-and-coming player. He was a key member of the Indiana Pacers team that had back-to-back Eastern Conference Finals appearances in 2013 and 2014. In 2013-14, he averaged 13.8 points, 7.2 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game while shooting a rather robust 49.1 percent from the field.

Since then, however, his stock has fallen dramatically. He became something of a journeyman as he was unable to play at a level that even remotely resembled the level he played at in 2014.

Over the next four seasons, he averaged only 8.5 points a game and shot less than 43 percent, including a pathetic 28 percent from 3-point range, and was saddled with multiple injuries.

In the process, Stephenson went from a well known and regarded blue-chipper to a has-been who was mostly known as the guy who blew in LeBron James’ ear during a playoff game.

Stephenson was also regarded as a strong defensive player several years ago, but his performance at that end of the floor also diminished dramatically.

In the 2012-13 and 2013-14 seasons, he put up 1.6 and 1.7 DBPM, respectively. But since the 2015-16 season, his numbers in that department have been below zero.

It was all this that caused many of us throughout Laker Nation to feel quite a bit of trepidation when it was announced that he would be trading in the vapid cornfields of Indianapolis for the surfer dudes, beautiful blonde women and lit nightclubs of Tinseltown.

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The Lakers needed defense, outside shooting and a second bona fide star to pair with LeBron James, and it seemed Stephenson wouldn’t do anything to check any of those boxes.

But, in the early going of this season, he has definitely been a positive element for the purple and gold. Including the Nov. 25 loss to Orlando, Stephenson has been averaging 8.5 points and about three rebounds and two assists a game in 16.4 minutes per game. He’s shooting 44.7 percent from the field and – get this – 38 percent from behind the arc.

Yes, Stephenson tends to be a bit of a ball-stopper. But it’s not necessarily a bad thing, as he usually takes the floor while LeBron is resting, giving the bench unit someone who can create things either for himself or others one on one.

Maybe the best thing about him, numbers aside, has been his energy and enthusiasm. He is from the NYC area, and both Magic Johnson and Rob Pelinka commented during the summer that they signed vets like Stephenson to bring some toughness and bigger personalities to a team that was made up mostly of very young players who were still developing physically and psychologically.

I mean, is there anything as amusing and entertaining to watch as Lance Stephenson strumming an imaginary guitar after scoring a basket?

If “Born Ready” keeps all of this up, he will be a very important part of this team – especially come playoff time, when tough, experienced vets like him make all the difference.

He may even earn himself a future on this team beyond this season when many expect them to acquire a second star and make a real run at their 17th NBA World Championship.