Lance Stephenson Explains How He Set Aside Differences With LeBron James to Team Up at Los Angeles Lakers

For the first time in a decade, there has been an NBA final not featuring either LeBron James or Stephen Curry. LeBron James has traveled to the finals 10 times in his career, and he has the third most Finals appearances in NBA history.

Likewise, he has had great teammates along the way, the most famous being Dwyane Wade. Some were known for their talents and others for their antics. One of LeBron James’ most interesting teammates would be Lance Stephenson. Stephenson is most famous for blowing into LeBron’s ear during their playoff battle against one another.

Jun 3, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) reacts in the second quarter against the Phoenix Suns during game six in the first round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs. at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports | Courtesy: Reuters

LeBron James and Lance Stephenson joined forces on the Lakers in 2018. While LeBron James did pick up an injury that season, they definitely shared some good moments.

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Lance Stephenson on LeBron James

While on Posted Up with Chris Haynes, Lance Stephenson was asked about teaming up with LeBron James in Los Angeles and how he viewed it. Stephenson said that all LeBron James wanted was to win, and he thought he could help him do so. He said:

“He just wanted to win, he wanted a team that can help them win and he and we decided to go on that path. I felt like I could definitely help him and be one of those guys to help them during the season. And we never really talked about those barriers, though. We kept it as diverse like, old paths, old news. And we move forward from that.”

Stephenson surely had some great moments with the Lakers. However, they could not be a winning team because LeBron James was injured. Likewise, the ‘King’ missed the playoffs in 2018 for the first time since 2006 with the new Lakers team.

Stephenson played his part as he averaged 7 points per game in just 16 minutes. This would also be his last season in the NBA at just 28 years old. He is known for the famous ‘blow’ on LeBron and his famous guitar celebration. His run with Paul George and the Indiana Pacers is also well known.

Indiana Pacers vs Miami Heat 2014

Indiana and Miami went at it in the 2014 Western Conference Finals. Miami went on to win that series. However, the Pacers fought hard, pushing the Heat to 6 games. Paul George was the star of the series as he averaged 24 points per game throughout the series.

February 18, 2014: Miami Heat shooting guard Dwyane Wade #3, Miami Heat small forward LeBron James #6 and Miami Heat center Chris Bosh #1 observe the National Anthem before an NBA game between the Miami Heat and the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, TX Miami defeated Dallas 117-106 (Photo by Albert Pena/Icon SMI/Corbis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

In Game 5, Lance Stephenson blew into LeBron’s ear. He later revealed that he did that to frustrate LeBron James. Did it work? While it did not frustrate ‘The King’, he did have an awful game. He got into early foul trouble and could only play 24 minutes in that game. Moreover, he added just 7 points on 2-10 shooting. Indiana won that game on the back of George’s huge 4th quarter as he ended with 37 points. Stephenson also added 12 points in that game.

It was not a series for LeBron to remember as he averaged just 22 points per game that series. The Heat lost in the finals to the San Antonio Spurs that season. In addition, it was also the last season that the Miami ‘Big 3’ played together as LeBron James moved back to Cleveland.

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