In order for a player to be successful in the NBA, his role must be defined and the player must embrace it. There will always be debate on who defines this role. Is it appropriate for a player to define his own role?  Or is it most effective for coaches to define the role of a player? 

At the start of the season, Lance Stephenson’s role appeared to be ambiguous, not only to him as a player, but to his teammates and coaches.

During the preseason, Stephenson did not appear to play his best as he tried to earn a spot in the starting line-up. One could say that he was trying to determine his role on the team; all the while a healthy Danny Granger was also competing for a spot on the starting line-up.  It is hard to imagine that a player such as Stephenson, who played exceptionally well in last year’s Eastern Conference Finals, appears to be struggling to determine his role on the team. Nonetheless, Stephenson looked lost and even frustrated at times during the preseaon. I ask: How can a player who is averaging 16.4 points, 6.2 rebounds, and shooting 53.8 percent from behind the 3-point line be unclear about his role on the team?

Such averages would have surely earned a player a spot in the starting line-up had we known then what we know now.  Those were not Stephenson’s stats when Granger was playing in the preseason; and who knows how Stephenson’s averages would have been impacted if Granger was playing now. Granger’s injuries over the past two years, thrust Stephenson into the starting line-up for the championship hopeful Indiana Pacers. Yet in order to realistically become an NBA Championship contender, the Pacers need Granger to come off the bench with optimal health, as well as Stephenson playing with his current confidence and high efficiency levels.

In describing Stephenson’s playing style, Paul George states, “He just gets into his comfort zone… That's Lance. You can't take away where he's from. He's a New York player. They play with that confidence. I'm a fan of it. I like when he gets into that mode.”

The challenge that the Pacers have is that Stephenson has only demonstrated to play his best when he believes he is entitled to game privileges other starting shooting guards are entitled too. Such privileges include starting every game, shooting 10 plus times a game, attacking in transition, not getting back on defense, arguing with referees, and committing an unnecessary flagrant foul.

To Frank Vogel’s credit, Stephenson was removed from the Pistons game after the flagrant foul. Pistons went on an 11-3 run after the foul to take a 41-38 lead going into halftime. Had Granger been in physical shape to play, those minutes would have gone to him with additional minutes allocated during the second half.  But Granger was not in position to play and Stephenson went back into the game and started the second half after one defensive play.  It was noticeable that Stephenson returned to the game fully focused and, consequently, helped lead the Pacers to a win over the Pistons. 

During the Chicago Bulls game on Wednesday, despite missing several shots in the first half, Stephenson made three critical shots during the end of the game leading the Pacers to a 5-0 streak. He displayed the passion and hunger that you wished Paul George would have exhibited, although George does not need such demonstrations in order to be considered one of the NBA’s best players. Nonetheless, the Pacers will need that enthusiasm and edge in order to beat the Miami Heat in the playoffs.

The Pacers will continue to be the most consistent team within the NBA as they were last year. Their strengths against most teams are West and Hibbert because of their ability to dominate the paint and offensive rebound. Miami has no answer for those two players. Paul George will continue to be a force, but the Pacers need an additional leading force on the perimeter. As demonstrated in the last five games, Stephenson has proven that he deserves to be considered a dominant force. The confidence and energy brewing inside of him appears to be intrinsic and is being noticed by others. 

“It seemed like something just clicked when Danny got hurt,” a league source told RealGM.  

Not only should he start, but in order for the Pacers to beat Miami, Stephenson needs to be considered amongst the best players of the team. He is currently the Pacers second leading scorer, but can he be the Pacers second best player? It would behoove the Pacers to assign Stephenson that role since he will not be able to determine that role on his own; especially after Granger returns to the game.