Los Angeles Lakers: Bold predictions for Lance Stephenson next season

By Jason Reed | Aug 10, 2018

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - APRIL 20: Lance Stephenson #6 of the Indiana Pacers reacts in the fourth quarter of Game Five of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on April 20, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Cavaliers defeated the Pacers 119-114 to take a 3-0 lead in the series. 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) /

3 of 4

(Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

2. Most of Lance Stephenson’s minutes will come against the NBA’s elite teams

Giving Stephenson 12 to 16 minutes per game may have even seemed generous for some people reading this article as Stephenson does not really bring much to the table that the guys ahead of him on the roster don’t bring.

However, there is one underlying characteristic about Stephenson that is going to get him minutes in some of the bigger games throughout the season and that is his personality itself. Stephenson is brash, chaotic and thrives at playing hard-nosed defense and getting in the heads of the opposition.

That is why Stephenson was brought in; to bring chaos on the court when the Lakers are playing the best teams in the NBA. Stephenson will get at it with Draymond Green, will try and neutralize Kevin Durant and will attempt to push around the likes of James Harden and Kyrie Irving.

Stephenson is to make hot-headed superstars upset and to either slow down their play or get the player in foul trouble.

That strategy worked pretty well with LeBron James in 2014, the Los Angeles Lakers recognized that and will utilize that in key matchups during the regular season.

Home/Los Angeles Lakers