Charlotte Hornets

Lance Stephenson: 'I'm a Good Locker Room Guy'

Published Jun. 19, 2015 12:12 p.m. ET

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Lance Stephenson has earned a reputation for being a locker room cancer during his five seasons in the NBA. He proved to have issues during his four years in Indiana, and though it was less public in Charlotte, those same problems arose while he spent his sole year with the Hornets.

But even with all that noise surrounding Stephenson's attitude problem, the newest member of the Clippers says he actually a good teammate.

From the OC Register:

Stephenson had the worst year of his career as a rotation player this past season, averaging 8.2 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.9 assists on 38 percent shooting with the Hornets. He's hoping he can morph back into Indiana Lance in L.A.

(H/t to Slam Online for the find.)

Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

In one year he went from a sought-after free agent, who ended up leaving the Pacers for Charlotte, to a mercurial NBA afterthought.

His productivity plummeted, and he was frequently described as a problem in the Hornets’ locker room, a reputation he burnished in Indiana, as well. But Stephenson expressed a deep desire to cleanse his image.

“I want to take that title off of my name,” he said, “because that’s not me. I’m a good locker room guy.”

Instead, Stephenson sees himself as an instigator. He earned fame in the 2014 playoffs for blowing gently in LeBron James’ ear as a form of agitation.

“When I’m on the court I’ve got that type of energy where it looks like I’m yelling at somebody,” he said. “But I feel like when I talk to my teammates it amps them and makes them work harder.”

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