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2017 NBA Playoffs: 10 Random 1st Round X-Factors We Weren’t Expecting

By Gerald Bourguet

April 18, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Utah Jazz forward Joe Johnson (6) moves the ball against Los Angeles Clippers center Marreese Speights (5) during the second half in game two of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
April 18, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Utah Jazz forward Joe Johnson (6) moves the ball against Los Angeles Clippers center Marreese Speights (5) during the second half in game two of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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2017 NBA Playoffs
Apr 20, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Lance Stephenson (6) reacts to making a three pointer as the fans cheer during a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers in game three of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Cleveland defeats Indiana 119-114. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

7. Lance Stephenson

This is probably as high as we can rank Lance Stephenson when his team got swept in an uninspiring first round sweep that pretty much summed up the Indiana Pacers‘ entire season. If it weren’t for Born Ready, however, that sweep would have been completely uncompetitive.

Though the Pacers lost all four games, they were in every single one of them, losing the series by a combined 16 points. Paul George did the heavy lifting, but Stephenson’s contributions off the bench — 16.0 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game on .509/.389/.750 shooting splits — shouldn’t be overlooked.

When the Pacers hastily signed Born Ready to a three-year deal just a few weeks ago, many people laughed. He hadn’t managed to stay healthy all season, he no longer had head coach Frank Vogel to rein him in and three years seemed like a long time for a potentially washed up player.

But even if his return to Indiana was only a 10-game sample size, it’s starting to look like that Pacers jersey is the supersuit that unlocks his special powers. Say what you want about his antics, but Stephenson brought playmaking, energy and — most importantly — passion to a very lifeless Indiana squad, and was even their best player in that elimination Game 4.