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There are certain players in sports who are better known for entertaining moments than play on the court or field. This is especially true in the NBA. J.R. Smith comes to mind along with Boban Marjanovic. The undisputed leader in this category remains Lance Stephenson.
If the average NBA fan was asked which team Stephenson played for prior to the Lakers, they would struggle. That same fan would not have trouble naming multiple outrageous acts that Stephenson has pulled in his career.
Let's look at the numbers. Stephenson has averaged over 10 points just once in his career in 2013-2014. That season earned him a 3-year, $27 million contract from the Charlotte Hornets. He spent just one season there appearing in 61 games. In the last four seasons, Stephenson has played for seven teams. Stephenson currently resides in Los Angeles where he has played 56 games for the Lakers, and is averaging 7.5 points per game.
The fact remains that Stephenson has not been an impact player in this league on the stat sheet. He remains a household name thanks to his antics on and off the court. Given his eventful past, these are the five most entertaining moments from Stephenson's career.
5. Lance Gets Close With Carmelo Anthony
The Indiana Pacers took on the Oklahoma City Thunder on a night in October. Not entertained? No one was, that sounds like the ultimate snooze fest. Thankfully, Stephenson and Anthony gave the world something to talk about.
Late in the third quarter, Anthony posted up Stephenson, and went to work. What is usually an easy bucket for Melo, ended with both players on the floor after a hard foul by Stephenson. The way they landed had endless meme potential.
https://twitter.com/WorldWideWob/status/923368158400008192
The game was getting late, so both players needed a rest. They decided to make themselves comfortable, and get in a quick cuddle session before the free throws. Who made the first move? It looks like Lance, but Melo did not back away. Whatever is going on in their love lives might have been stressful. In the end, they gave the world an unforgettable picture.
4. LeBron James Chin Tap
This moment happened on the biggest stage. May 30, 2014 was the date of game six of the Eastern Conference Finals. Stephenson's Pacers trailed James' Heat, and were facing elimination. Well, the Pacers did not show up. They trailed by 11 after the first quarter, and by 26 at halftime. The team needed a big play. The Pacers needed a spark.
That spark never came, so Stephenson took matters into his own hands. He turned to mind games to try and take James out of the game. During a break in the action, James was standing near half court with his hands on his knees. Stephenson walked over, and said hello with a tap under James' chin. James took offense to the gesture, and followed Stephenson to have a few words.
All in all, it ended with a 117-92 win for the Heat. James finished with 25 points, four rebounds and six assists. He was not thrown off his game, however the rivalry between the two became a little more intense.
3. The Classic Flop-and-Nap
It is no coincidence that most of Stephenson's moments have featured James. Back in the day when the Pacers were near the top of the Eastern Conference, Stephenson never feared a showdown with the best in the world.
This incident took place during game one of the 2014 Eastern Conference Finals. One way to take James out of the game is to get him in foul trouble. With James bringing the ball up the floor, Stephenson tried to draw a charge, however it did not work out the way it did in his head. The two barely made minimal contact, but Stephenson acted as if he was just shot out of a cannon. In the end, it was a foul on number one on Indiana.
Stephenson decided to take a cat nap after his blatant flop. He rolled over on his side, and laid on the court for 15 seconds with his eyes closed. Paul George went over to help him up, and a rejuvenated Stephenson jumped onto his feet. Could it have been a sign saying the Pacers were being slept on in the series? Seems like more of a meaningless silly gesture from one of the biggest entertainers in the game.
2. The Lance Dance on Courtney Lee
At least 90% of Stephenson's career highlights came within two seasons. Here's a fun fact: Stephenson led the NBA in triple-doubles in 2013-2014 with five. Yes, that is what Russell Westbrook accomplishes in one week, but there was a time when triple-doubles meant something in the NBA. Anyway, December 22, 2013 saw Stephenson log a triple-double, however that was not the highlight.
Stephenson finished with 12 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists in a 27-point win over the Celtics. In the fourth quarter with the game already decided, Stephenson crossed Lee into their next game. He crossed over to his left, hit him with a spin cycle, goes right between his legs, and puts Lee on the opposite end of a highlight. After hitting the jump shot, Stephenson admired it go in, and delivered a dance move. Let's call it a version of a shimmy.
From that moment on, the league had fun with the video on Twitter. There are many parts of that shimmy that are remembered. How low Stephenson was to the ground, and the fact that he used his whole body stick out the most.
1. Lance Blows in LeBron's Ear
How can this not be at the top of the list? This moment is one still talked about today. It was so big that it got a reenactment from Drake during the ESPY's. This moment told us two things at the time. First, the Eastern Conference Finals was going to be full of entertainment. Second, Stephenson is completely out of his mind.
Both players stood bent over at half court. Plain and simple, Stephenson turned, and blew air into James' ear. This moment is great for so many reasons. The fact that Stephenson thought to do that is something to question. The reaction of James takes the cake, though. He stood there in shock, and could not do anything, but give a sarcastic laugh and shake his head. James' reaction basically said, “is this really what we're doing now?”
There was a time before they were teammates that Stephenson and James did not get along. There is a reason why most moments include the best player in the world. Stephenson always tried to get James off his game. This list will always be edited as long as Stephenson is in the league delivering more moments.
