I will honestly say that I did not watch enough Pacer playoff games to have a solid opinion of Lance when he was there, but from the games that I did watch he wasn't that impressive. Those teams were successful for a couple of reasons. First, they are in the East (even then, they struggled against the 8th seed Hawks in 2014), Paul George having amazing games and their great defense. Lance was pretty vital in the 3rd reason but he wasn't the reason, if you get what I mean. George was still picking up the best perimeter guy 75% of the time and Hibbert was actually a competent rim protector, plus their scheme. Personally, I think Lance was so over-ratted for what he did with the Pacers. He had big games and big plays here and there but he also gave up big plays or hurt his own team with his theatrics. Lance should be an upgrade over Barnes. Should because, while Lance has more talent than Barnes, Barnes knew his role as a defensive irritant that has to shoot threes. I'm not sure Lance knows his because he certainly does things on the court that suggest he doesn't.
The Stephenson/CP3 fit will be interesting. He's like a Jamal Crawford except better defender (when intersted) and crappier shooter.
I guess if your the Clippers with their core, you have to take these kind of gambles. Depth killed them last year and they just got a little bit thinner with this trade and additionally Stephenson plays the same position as another useful starter out there in Reddick. I guess maybe they intend to play Lance at the 3 which he is kind of small for, but I suppose he is good enough to battle with Lebron, he's good enough to play the 3 full time. Still though - they have to find depth somewhere in the couch cushions because if this Stephenson thing doesn't work out, it's going to get ugly out there quickly with Paul, DJ, and Blake sharing the floor with a D-leaguer. On the Hornet's side, I guess this was just addition by subtraction - Lance was a distraction and his value wasn't going to get any lower although you have to wonder if they shouldn't have just cut him and stretched his salary out over paying Hawes two more years. I guess they really want Hawes to play the Josh McRoberts stretch big role that seemed to work for them a few years back.
Sounds like the Hornets are leaning toward waiving Matt Barnes so they can pay him the $1M guaranteed not to play instead of $3.5M to play. If so, the Clippers can sign Matt Barnes com July 1st to be their 3 and d guy.
is anyone else super excited for watching Lance play with CP3, is there a betting agency where I can put money on them fighting (at a minimum), this is going to end so badly.... one of them might die
Basically you were saying he is nowhere close to being an Allstar or star. I do not disagree. He is what he is. It is not like the Clips traded Jamal Crawford or any other clutch players to get him. He can be a good player, good role player, some who steps up in the playoffs. Someone like a Corey Brewer or an older Josh Smith.
Lance will play much better as a role player next to Blake and CP3. I don't think this puts them over the top though.
Lance will play better under Doc's supervision. He has done well with players with big personalities.
Bad trade for Clippers. I don't see CP3, JJ Redick, Stephenson, and Crawford being very effective sharing the PG, SG, SF duties. None of them can play SF. Maybe Redick is available? I wouldn't mind him as our 6th man.
God I hate this for both teams. Lance solves nothing for LAC. He's not a true 3, he's a huge locker room risk, and as underwhelming as Hawes was, he shot 40% from 3 and was at least some depth. Woulda been better off keeping Barnes and Spence and signing Truth. You basically have 3 shooting guards and the hope that Paul Pierce is still a full time small forward and not just a part time small ball 4. Good luck, doc. On the other hand, Barnes is 35, and is going to be near useless at any minute. Maybe he's a good backup 3 and veteran enforcer. At worse he's 1 mil guaranteed and can be cut. They already have a logjam at 4 in Buzz city , so I guess Hawes is a 5? Does that mean Bismack is out? Also his contract is awful. 15% trade kicker? I'm probably in the minority that thinks it's a slight win for the Hornets, but I hate it.
Also though Lance is in a contract year. I have to think it was pretty bad for them to get rid of him for this seeing as his value probably would be at it's highest come trade deadline when teams are trying to make the 2nd half push. I mean this is the definition of selling low pretty much.
Yeah, except for the whole me-first irrational confidence factor that they both share. That's what I meant for the fit with CP3.
