Lance Stephenson on early struggles: 'I need to be more aggressive'
Lance Stephenson has yet to find his stride offensively with the Hornets, but the former Pacers guard says he can't let his struggles discourage him.
“I tried to make something happen. I let the game come to me last two games and ended up doing nothing,” Stephenson said, according to Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer. “I need to be more aggressive, be in attack mode.”
During the team's 1-2 start, Stephenson is averaging 7.7 points per game on 29.6 percent shooting. He has pulled down 10.0 rebounds and dished out 6.7 assists per game.
• Michael Jordan praises way Lance Stephenson 'takes on challenges'
“It’s tough, but it’s part of being a pro,” Stephenson said after Sunday's loss to the Knicks, according to Michael Scotto of Sheridan Hoops. “Learning the system, learning new guys, not getting frustrated, keep playing through my mistakes and just trying to get other people involved. I play through instincts and when my players learn my instincts we’ll be a better team.”
Stephenson averaged 13.8 points, 7.2 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game last season while shooting 49.1 percent from the field, 35.2 percent on three-point attempts and 71.1 percent on free throws. He signed a three-year, $27 million deal with Charlotte this summer after spending his first four NBA seasons with the Pacers.
-Andrew Melnick
