IC Cold Links: Granger, Stephenson Make Contrasting News Out Of New York

by Tom Lewis on Aug 16, 2010 6:00 AM EDT in Indiana Pacers News

The Indiana Pacers had more news than they wanted coming out of New York this past weekend.

As exciting as the news was about Danny Granger's 22-point game on Saturday while solidifying a spot Team USA on Saturday, the late reports Sunday about Lance Stephenson's arrest were equal parts depressing.

With regard to Stephenson, I would guard against expecting a rash decision about his future. These situations are always complicated and take time to resolve themselves. It's best to let it play out and see how both Stephenson and the Pacers handle the situation going forward.

Is it maddening? Absolutely. And that feeling most likely will linger since we'll probably never know all of the details surrounding the situation. The one glaring detail we know is horrific but it also isn't the end of this story.

After the jump, more links with stories about Stephenson and Team USA.

AP: Pacers draft pick Lance Stephenson arrested in NYC
AP: USA Basketball Beats France in Exhibition at MSG
Cheap shot alert for a laugh: "Boris Diaw scored 15 points for France, which surrendered a 16-4 run early in the third quarter after staying close with the Americans in the first half."
Pacers rookie Stephenson arrested in New York
Mike Wells reports on Lance Stephenson's arrest on Sunday.
Lance Stephenson, Indiana Pacers NBA player, arrested for pushing his girlfriend down the stairs
John Lauinger updates his report for the New York Daily News.
Lance Stephenson’s Future With the Pacers
Jared Wade from 8.9 offers his thoughts on where we go from here with Lance Stephenson.
NBA.com: U.S. strengths, weaknesses on display in win over France
John Schuhmann continues his fabulous coverage of Team USA with his report on yesterday's win over France.
Gordon scores 8 points in U.S. win | IndyStar.com
Danny Granger went scoreless in yesterday's Team USA win over France, but Eric Gordon chipped in 8 points and will travel to Europe seeking on of the final 12 roster spots for the World Championships.
Danny Excels During Team USA Scrimmage
Jared Wade took in Team USA's scrimmage at MSG on Saturday and shares his thoughts on Danny Granger's big outing.
Boyle to walk across state for charity
Mike Wells reports on Mark Boyle's Wish Walk which begins tomorrow. Don't forget to hit the link on the sidebar for more information and to donate to the Indiana Children's Wish Fund.
Heat forward Udonis Haslem cited for marijuana possession
The Miami Heat are also dealing with legal issues as forward Udonis Haslem was arrested Sunday for possession of marijuana following a traffic stop in Miami-Dade County.

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Comments

Just send him to Anger Management...

Have him engage in several hours of community service building up his rep with the community. Let him play his way into people’s hearts and people will likely forget. At least he didn’t rape or murder her, think positive.

P.S. If all this doesn’t work Lance, just do a Barrel Roll.

by infinityzero.systemerror on Aug 16, 2010 5:17 PM EDT reply actions

As per my new fanshot..

details on Lance have emerged. They are not good.

by MillerTime31 on Aug 16, 2010 5:58 PM EDT reply actions

Yeah, that's not good.

Those details make it seem less like a domestic issue that got out of control, and more like a controlling, stalker, violent, sociopath sort of act. Really Lance? Banging her head on the bottom step AFTER you pushed her down the steps???? There are dads in the world (me included) who would deal out their own justice to a 6’5" 220lb man beating their daughter like that. That was complete BS!!

Confucious say "He who dives for loose balls need proper fitting athletic cup!"

by Wise Master on Aug 16, 2010 7:32 PM EDT up reply actions

If Lance is guilty...

The Pacers have no choice but to get rid of him.This team was just starting to build momentum and they can’t let anything jeopardize that (no matter how talented Stephenson is).I say nip this thing in the bud before it’s too late.This wasn’t his first run in with the law and it probably won’t be the last.

by gut19 on Aug 16, 2010 8:08 PM EDT reply actions

I Would Guess . . .

. . . Lance has played his last game as a Pacer. If convicted, he could be looking at
seven to twelve years of jail time. I believe his contract could be voided if this happened.

Barring that, if he cannot be quickly traded, and assuming he clears waivers, the Pacers
could release him. The remaining $700,000 and $800,000 guaranteed would not
cripple the franchise—either from a financial viewpoint or from a salary cap hit stand-
point. Moreover, it would open up a roster spot for Magnum Rolle.

And, if things transpire this way, let’s not be too critical of the Pacers or Bird for the
guaranteed contract. All rookies are risks, unknown quantities. Imagine if Lance had
behaved himself and become NBA rookie of the year—and Bird had only given him
a one-year contract. Wouldn’t we be tempted to criticize Bird for not having locked
Lance in to a long-term cheap deal? Hindsight is inappropriate here. The Pacers
took a calculated risk. It looks like it won"t work out. Stuff happens.

by fanaticus on Aug 16, 2010 8:50 PM EDT reply actions

He won't be convicted...

NBA players don’t get convicted for this sort of thing. Too much money behind them. Hell, regular people a lot of times get out of this.

This will be a judgement call from the Pacers (aka Bird). He won’t be bailed out by the justice system. He will have to make the call after hearing the facts if it is worth keeping Stephenson around and possibly dealing with this again ALA Williams.

by dbcb on Aug 16, 2010 8:57 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm Not So Sure

The NFL case with Plaxico Burress showed that money and athletic status don’t
automatically mean preferred treatment these days. Many prosecutors are going
out of their way in this day and age to-if anything-come down even harder on celebrities.

by fanaticus on Aug 16, 2010 9:11 PM EDT reply actions

Yeah, but only if your black...

see: Ben Rothlisbergler.

by infinityzero.systemerror on Aug 16, 2010 9:38 PM EDT up reply actions

ya but in reading ny papers, burress was in ny with a gun.dont matter who you are they dont tolerate it with most homicides in country.nba players get the quip of the league too.nfl doesn’t do this because they tend to try and not have a tarnished look like the nba

by iblueyeddevil on Aug 17, 2010 1:50 PM EDT up reply actions

Keep him and susped him for 20 games or so.

That sends a message to him and the community by doing so. Certainly, many people will find it to be too lenient. Again have him go through all the community service and Anger management crap I stated above. If he has another altercation (depending on severity of the act) release him. I just think it would be a good idea to rather than shun the kid, teach him and help him to act in an appropriate manner. By releasing him, you don’t fix his problem. I would want us to help him. A recent example of this is John Gill of the Colts, they didn’t just plain release him for his public intoxication (granted, a lesser crime). They placed him on IR, more or less, I think. Allowing him to keep his money and get help for his alcohol problem. Let’s help the kid, rather than make him into another statistic for the justice system.

by infinityzero.systemerror on Aug 16, 2010 9:53 PM EDT reply actions