"I Feel Like A Lot Of People Pick On Me": Lance Stephenson Still Hopes To Make It Back to NBA

He knows he's always going to be known for blowing in LeBron James' ear and his other antics, but Lance Stephenson does not want his career to be forever defined by that, so he's continuing his comeback attempt in the G League. 

Lance Stephenson is 31 now, playing on the Grand Rapids Gold in the NBA G League.

But he still believes there’s an NBA team out there that could use him.

“I feel like I belong there. That’s my destination.”

Exclusive with @bkravitz: https://t.co/93u2g8nXGe pic.twitter.com/g5XF8IUs2E

— The Athletic NBA (@TheAthleticNBA) December 9, 2021

He's only 31, after having been out of the league the past two years, and he says he'll "never quit trying" to make it back to the NBA. 

Bob Kravitz reports in The Athletic that Stephenson "knows he's got a reputation." When you pull the most bizarre act of standing at the free throw line and blowing in the ear of LeBron James to try to get in his head, it's going to be hard to live that down.  

"He is known more for his antics than his playing ability," writes Kravitz, and Stephenson is well aware. "I feel like a lot of people pick on me," said the former 9-year veteran of the NBA. "Like every little thing I do is extreme. I love the game. I love to have fun. It’s like a gift and a curse.”

He's hoping to change the narrative a bit by making it back to the league on his talents. He held a private workout in the summer for several teams, then got selected with the 13th pick in the G League Draft by the Grand Rapids Gold. 

He's averaging 19.5 points, 7.4 rebounds and 2.6 assists in the G League, hoping that some NBA general manager will... lend him an ear... and give him another shot.