It was just a few months ago that the Cleveland Cavaliers were hosting tryouts for worthy free agents for their last roster spot. One of the many that were given a shot but unsuccessful in landing a Cleveland contract was a LeBron James nemesis, Lance Stephenson.
Since then, Stephenson has returned to the Indiana Pacers, and the Pacers have returned to the Playoffs, facing James’ Cavaliers in the first round.
When you talk about Lance Stephenson and LeBron James, once famous clip comes to mind, the famous ear blowing moment. But when it comes to the LBJ and Lance beef, there’s so much more to it, and it’s pure gold.
It goes all the way back to the 2012 Eastern Conference Semi Finals, seeing Stephenson make a choice gesture as James missed a clutch free throw late in the third quarter in Game 3.
https://youtu.be/pqqApNM8JPc
Stephenson made his apology via ESPN but James was having none of it.
“Lance Stephenson? You want a quote about Lance Stephenson?” James said after the Heat’s practice at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. “I’m not even going to give him the time. Knock it off.”
James would go on and score an angry and inspired 40 in Game 4, in what was just the beginning of a beautiful relationship.
Fast forward to the Eastern Conference Finals of 2014 and things start to increase in awesomeness. Game 2 would see a flop that set the internet on fire, stepping up meme games of many worldwide.
But the moment everyone’s been waiting for is Game 5 of the 2014 Eastern Conference Finals, in which Lance gave us two incredible moments in his Pacer career.
The first was the famous ear blowing incident, in which James’ reaction added to the overall greatness.
Stephenson was finished yet though, later in the game taking a complete and utter dive after minimal LeBron James contact, earning himself a $10,000 fine.
In Game 6, Stephenson oddly walked James’ way and grazed his face, right around his mouth area. James was able to keep his composure, later explaining it to NBC Sports.
“I’m at a loss of words with that, but it was uncalled for, and I was able to move on from it. I let him know how I felt.”
After losing the series in six games, Lance would take to his Instagram page to show some “love” to the Miami Heat and Pacers nation (who he would turn his back and chase the money in Charlotte).
The latest chapter has only begun, and just about anything could be in store for us. Stay tuned because it’s almost a guarantee that we can add to this growing list.
