Lance Stephenson hasn’t been the hottest commodity in the NBA world in recent years. It has gotten to the point where the move by the Indiana Pacers to sign the veteran swingman to a three-year, $12 million contract was widely panned by analysts. However, “Born Ready” has always been something of a cult hero in Indiana due to his first stint with the club. In fact, Stephenson recently compared his return to the Pacers to Michael Jordan coming out of retirement.
I asked Lance what he thinks Tuesday will be like…. His answer might be the most Lanciest thing ever: pic.twitter.com/DplfhkdXgv
— Michael Grady (@Grady) April 1, 2017
In that hilarious audio clip, Stephenson predicts a “crazy” atmosphere, and on Tuesday evening, the now 26-year-old experienced just that.
Lance Stephenson makes his Indy debut pic.twitter.com/pzPb1SBSOb
— Jason Spells (@JasonSpells) April 4, 2017
Lance Stephenson checks in, gets a standing ovation. #BornAgainIn1Ndy pic.twitter.com/ONZqfnlUSo
— Scott Agness (@ScottAgness) April 4, 2017
The assembled crowd at Bankers Life Fieldhouse rose as one to provide an electric standing ovation and it was, as Stephenson said it would be, a wild scene as he took the floor against the Toronto Raptors.
https://twitter.com/its_whitney/status/849402952251035650
A standing ovation for Lance Stephenson. Unbelievable.
— Nate Taylor (@ByNateTaylor) April 4, 2017
It isn’t that unusual to have a player that is treated with a high level of respect that is unmatched by his on-court contribution, but Stephenson has not been a serious NBA rotation player in quite some time. In fact, the New York high school legend hasn’t been a positive player in so long that jokes were present about the in-arena reaction.
Lance Stephenson is getting a standing ovation as he returns from fans who must not have been paying attention to the last 3 or so years
— Doug Smith: Raptors (@SmithRaps) April 4, 2017
There is no question that Stephenson’s on-court value isn’t likely to be worthy of this type of crowd eruption but there is also something endearing about the way the Pacers see their newest “old friend” at this juncture in his career. Given Stephenson’s age, it is at least conceivable that he could rise to prominence once again and, if he does, the basketball universe will likely be blessed with a ton love of for his play based largely in Indianapolis.
