Lance Stephenson Compares His Return to the Pacers to Michael Jordan's NBA Comeback

Tell us how you really feel, Lance.

Lance Stephenson sits on the bench.
Image via USA Today Sports/Brett Davis
Lance Stephenson sits on the bench.

Lance Stephenson will return to Bankers Life Fieldhouse for the first time as a member of the Pacers on Tuesday (April 4) when Indiana takes on the Toronto Raptors. After declining a five-year, $44 million contract extension with the Pacers to test the free agent market in 2014, Stephenson spent the next three years bouncing around from the Charlotte Hornets to the Los Angeles Clippers to the Memphis Grizzlies to the New Orleans Pelicans to the Minnesota Timberwolves. 

As Stephenson moved on from team to team, he was never able to duplicate the magic of the 2013-14 campaign where he averaged 13.8 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game. That same year, the Pacers finished first in the Eastern Conference with a 56-36 record, but fell short of reaching the NBA Finals when they were defeated by the Miami Heat in six games.

Given his history with the Pacers, Stephenson believes that his return to Indiana will be something special. How special is Born Ready talking? Well, Lance thinks it will be something similar to when Michael Jordan returned to the NBA. Yes, you read that right. “It’s gonna probably be like Michael Jordan coming back to play in the NBA or something like that,” he said. “Or somebody coming out of retirement. I know the atmosphere is going to be crazy.”

Lance has such high hopes. Don't let him down, Pacers fans. 

Send all complaints, compliments, and tips to sportstips@complex.com.

Latest in Sports