Indiana Pacers: 5 goals for Lance Stephenson in 2017-18

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - APRIL 23: Lance Stephenson #6 of the Indiana Pacers looks on against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on April 23, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Cavaliers defeated the Pacers 106-102 to sweep the series 4-0. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using the photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

5 of 6

Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images /

2. Continue mental and emotional growth

Lance Stephenson was a high school basketball legend in Brooklyn, and he had a good freshman year at the University of Cincinnati before entering the 2010 NBA Draft.

Despite his talent, Stephenson was not picked until the second round (40th overall) due to questions about his attitude and maturity.

Larry Bird and the Indiana Pacers decided that Stephenson was worth the risk, so they drafted him with the intention of developing him as a person as well as a basketball player.

The Pacers brought him along slowly, and while there were certainly bumps in the road during the process, Stephenson grew up a lot during his first four years in Indiana.

Lance Stephenson seems to have been humbled by the difficulties he’s experienced since leaving the Pacers as a free agent in 2014, and further personal growth appears to have been the result.

Stephenson will be a key player and one of the leaders on this new-look Indiana club, so it is imperative that he stay on track in terms of his mental and emotional maturation going into the 2017-18 campaign.

Home/Indiana Pacers