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One of the most intriguing storylines for the Los Angeles Lakers this offseason is how Lance Stephenson, a former LeBron James nemesis, will fit his style of play and tendencies alongside the four-time league MVP.
Stephenson has been known for his eccentric ways on the basketball court. That and his questionable decision making make Stephenson a cause of concern for Lakers fans upon learning that their team signed him to a one-year, $4.45 million deal back in July.
However, the 27-year-old former Cincinnati Bearcats star is spending plenty of time this offseason to work on his perimeter shot with his trainer, Rob Blackwell, who told Scott Agness of The Athletic that Stephenson is looking to make the jump-shot as his primary method of scoring this coming season.
“His shot is sound. I just don’t think it’s his first option,” Blackwell said. “So what we did was try to make him focus on the shot being his first option. His first option has been to put the ball on the floor and take his guy. That’s always his first option. He passes up so many wide-open shots as we went through video.
“We felt like he’s going to get a lot of spot-up opportunities playing with LeBron and playing with those guys who stretch the floor and rely on him to be able to catch-and-shoot and knock down shots, as well as be a tough defender.”
LeBron James has always thrived when surrounded with teammates he can kick the ball to when barreling his way down the lane and into the basket, so if Lance Stephenson wants to prove that he’s the perfect sidekick to the three-time champion, he should improve on the 28.9 3-point shooting percent he had last season with the Indiana Pacers.
