It is a long way from the bright lights and big money of the NBA, but it is indeed where the journey begins for players aspiring to make an NBA roster and distinguish themselves in the process.
While Paul George, the Pacers first-round pick, has a guaranteed contract and the roster spot that accompanies it, the other two Pacer draftees selected in the second round do not, and their quest to reach the opening night roster is indeed an uphill battle which starts with the NBA pro summer league in Orlando, Fla.
āI simply am looking to fit in and contribute,ā said Lance Stephenson, who was selected 41st overall out of the University of Cincinnati. Stephenson, who finished as the all-time leading high school scorer in New York state history, has the potential to help the Pacers at the point guard position and certainly has caught the eye of Pacers head coach Jim OāBrien. āLance is the type of player who can create his own shot and he has great decision-making ability,ā said OāBrien recently after working out the draftees and free agents.
But there are reasons this talented young man fell into the second round of the NBA draft.
Stephenson has been labeled as being difficult to coach. He also had an off-the-court incident were he was accused of groping a 17-year-old New York City girl, a case in which he pled guilty to a lesser charge of disorderly conduct. Without the aforementioned, Stephenson would certainly have garnered major interest in the first round by many teams, and the Pacers may just have been handed a diamond in the rough by his being available when they selected him in the second round.
Another promising player selected in the second round is Magnum Rolle from Louisiana Tech, who in the opinion of the Pacers coaching staff, was the most impressive player in their rookie free agent camp.
Rolle earned all-defensive team honors in the Western Athletic Conference while averaging over eight rebounds per contest and leading the conference in blocked shots.
Both of these young men offer desperately needed athleticism for the Pacers and hopefully, along with Paul George, will get the opportunity to play right away as the Pacers continue the rebuilding process and focus on making the playoffs for the first time in five years.
Notes: the Pacers won their first summer league game in Orlando, defeating the Magic by a score of 86-77.
Lance Stephenson led the pacers with 21 points while playing at point guard. Magnum Rolle added 13 points and Paul George dropped in 12 for the blue and gold.
Earl Watson, who in my humble opinion, was the best point guard on the Pacers roster last season, is an unrestricted free agent and remains unsigned. While the Pacers are still hoping for an upgrade at the position, re-signing Watson would be a great insurance policy for the team.
Watson played hard last season and is an extension of the coaching staff when on the floor. The Pacers should re-sign him before someone else does.
Danny Bridges, who feels Lance Stephenson can play at a high level in the NBA if he applies himself, can be reached at (317) 578-1780 or bridgeshd@aol.com.