Lance Stephenson Reflects on NBA Career Regrets, Mentorship, Injuries

Lance Stephenson, known for his flair and streetball roots from New York, has reflected on various pivotal moments in his NBA career during appearances on the '7 PM in Brooklyn' podcast. He expressed regret over his time with the Charlotte Hornets, where after signing a $27 million contract under owner Michael Jordan, he lost his competitive edge and failed to seek mentorship from Jordan, which he now sees as a missed opportunity for growth. Stephenson also reminisced about his time with the Los Angeles Lakers, highlighting the impact of LeBron James's groin injury in the 2018-19 season that he believes derailed the team's championship chances, while praising LeBron as an easy teammate who led like a coach on the floor. Additionally, Stephenson admitted to regretting a notorious moment when he blew in LeBron James's ear during a 2014 playoff series, humorously attributing it to a drunken bar encounter rather than a premeditated act, though their relationship improved when they later became teammates. Throughout, Stephenson conveyed a consistent theme of playing basketball for fun and flair rather than purely as a job, contrasting his New York streetball style with the more rigid NBA system. These insights provide a nuanced view of his career, marked by moments of brilliance, missed chances, and personal growth.