Earlier this week, the Los Angeles Clippers took what many deem to be a rather high risk when they acquired Lance Stephenson in a trade with the Charlotte Hornets.
It’s not a risk in a financial sense as Stephenson’s contract isn’t very long nor is it a risk in terms of talent given away as the Clippers can handle losing both Matt Barnes and Spencer Hawes.
It is a risk in regards to Lance Stephenson being a bit of a loose cannon though, as the swingman not only suggested that he believes the LA Clippers weren’t tough enough last year (really? Blake Griffin, DeAndre Jordan and Chris Paul aren’t tough players?!) but says he’s ready to scare people now – well – the opposition, apparently.
“I feel like last year they weren’t as tough,” Stephenson told Ben Bolch of the Los Angeles Times. “They needed that guy to get them angry and get everybody mad and get other people scared. I feel like I could add on to that.”
Perhaps the LA Clippers weren’t mentally strong enough, considering they blew a 3-1 series lead against the Houston Rockets, but from a physical standpoint they appeared to be just fine. But calling out your future teammates days after you were acquired probably wasn’t the best move.
