Pacers' Stephenson tries to grow on court, off

Bird referred to Stephenson as the team's "best player" in June and there's a lot of optimism about the prospect of Stephenson maturing on and off the court during what could be a longer offseason.

But the 20-year-old who had just one season of college basketball at Cincinnati is also one of the players team officials worry about the most during the lockout because all lines of communication are cut off.

"It's very hard not being able to talk to those guys," Stephenson said during his most extensive interview since joining the Pacers in June 2010. "I like to keep in contact with everybody so I can show them how hard I'm working to be one of the best players on the team and help the team win."

Stephenson is spending most of the summer in Indianapolis to ensure he doesn't let down Bird.

He's not living in New York because, as he put it, "there are too many temptations to hang out and get off track back at home. It's all about basketball while living here."

Before the July 1 lockout, Stephenson worked out with assistant coach Dan Burke at Conseco Fieldhouse on a regular basis and has since been training at Ed Schilling's basketball academy, doing strength and conditioning work at St. Vincent Sports Performance and playing in the Pro Am Summer League at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis.

"Everybody thinks I'm immature, but I'm going to prove that's not me," Stephenson said. "I like when somebody puts pressure on me. I take that as a motivation."

Many affiliated with the Pacers organization agree with Bird in saying Stephenson is near the top of the roster talent-wise.

But Stephenson learned last season that there's more to being a successful pro than dribbling a ball and making midrange jump shots.

He didn't handle constructive criticism from his teammates well. He'd counter their comments -- some helpful, others sarcastic -- by being standoffish.

"I took it as they were trying to pick on a rookie and making me do all the little stuff," Stephenson said. "They made me do extra stuff to pick on me. I didn't want to do stuff like taking Gatorade to the bus, and I used to tell them that. Coming from New York, you learn not to take any mess."

It was that same attitude that cost Stephenson playing time in the playoffs.

He was demoted to the fourth point guard on the roster after he violated team rules in early April.

Stephenson wouldn't disclose what he did but said his teammates tried to warn him before he got into trouble.

"That could have been the moment where everybody could've felt how they feel about me now," Stephenson said. "I didn't take it as my teammates were trying to help me until the end of the season. That's when I figured out they were trying to help me. I had mistakes -- I have to learn from it and get better at it."

Agent Al Ebanks wants Stephenson to get experience because his NBA resume consists of a mere 114 minutes in 12 games.

"Going overseas is important based on the fact that there's no end in sight to the lockout," Ebanks said. "Lance wants to stay in shape. The holdup is that we're working on a clause that the minute the lockout is lifted, he can go back to the NBA. He's worked his entire life to play in the NBA."

"The biggest thing with him is trying to improve his handles so he can become more of a true point guard," Schilling said. "I think he can be a solid scoring guard, but in order for him to have more of an impact, I think it has to be as a point guard because his size (6-5, 210) and strength can allow him to be special there."