It’s been nearly three years, but the memory lives on and will never die. The Indiana Pacers are on their way to a season-saving Game 5 win over the Miami Heat, forcing the Eastern Conference Finals -- the third series between the two teams in as many seasons -- back to Miami.

The closest thing Frank Vogel has to a LeBron Stopper, Lance Stephenson sets up next to James in preparation for an inbounds play. Stephenson bends over, puts his hands on his knees and leans into the then-Miami superstar. It’s at this point Stephenson goes Full Lance. He doesn’t bathe LeBron in expletives or even make physical contact. He purses his lips and … blows into his ear.

Despite the persistent meme cycle, chances are you’ve seen Stephenson blow something over in GIF form within the last week. That, in and of itself, is amazing. 

That incarnation of the Pacers crumbled after the Heat eliminated them a few days after the Hall of Fame meme was born, although cracks appeared in the foundation months prior. Stephenson hit free agency and somewhere along the line one of the parties, or a combination of them, mishandled the situation. Stephenson left for the Charlotte Hornets, Paul George broke his leg, then David West and Roy Hibbert limped their way through one final season with Indiana.

While the Pacers have struggled to contend since, Stephenson has had a rougher go. He lasted just one season with the Hornets despite signing a three-year, $27 million deal. Over the last two seasons, he has played for the Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies, New Orleans Pelicans and, most recently, the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Now, in an odd sequence of events, Lance is back. Using a roster spot created by the waiving of Rodney Stuckey (injured), the Pacers not only added him for the run towards the postseason but on a three-year, $12 million contract.

Will the Pacers get the Lance that flirted with an All-Star appearance or the one that has averaged fewer than thirty games in his tenures with his last five teams?

The answer lies somewhere in the middle.

From a pure basketball standpoint, Stephenson makes sense. With Stuckey lost for four to six weeks because of a strained left patellar tendon, they needed help on the wing. Not only is Stephenson familiar with the franchise, but he’s just 26.

Economically, the deal is a bargain in today’s climate. If reports regarding the details of the contract are to be believed, Stephenson’s deal carries an average annual value of $4 million -- a salary similar to the likes of Ben McLemore, Leandro Barbosa, Thabo Sefolosha, Udonis Haslem and Jordan Hill. 

In 210 games over his first four seasons, Stephenson averaged 9.1 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.1 assists on 46.7% shooting with the Pacers. In 142 games since, he’s averaged 8.1 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.9 assists on 42.8% shooting. Those splits aren’t dramatically different, but he’s remembered more for his breakout 2013-14 season (13.8/7.2/4.6, 49.1 FG%) than anything else.

Counting stats, however, mean little in this case. Is Lance the same player he was three years ago?

Stephenson was the ultimate improviser when Vogel’s offense stagnated and despite Larry Bird’s edict to play smaller and faster, Nate McMillian’s offense has often fallen into similar half-court voids. It would make the most sense for McMillian to bring Stephenson off the bench, even with Glenn Robinson III, who has made 27 starts, sidelined for the time being with a calf injury.

The Pacers have had trouble finding the right combination off the bench and Stephenson’s ability to create would increase the unit’s production. Indiana’s bench averages 33.3 points, nineteenth in the league, but their collective plus/minus (-1.5) is better than only five teams, all of which have long been eliminated from playoff contention.

The easiest path to success includes a higher rate of three-point attempts to spread the floor and make his own forays to the basket more dangerous and some time on the floor with Teague, George and Myles Turner. He was most efficient with the Pacers when logging minutes with varied units as a facilitator using a mixed offensive attack that didn’t monopolize possessions. When he is on the floor with Teague and George, he can slot right back into that role.

There is, however, a fair amount of risk as Stephenson begins his second term in Indiana. Groin, ankle and foot injuries have robbed him of the ability to stick somewhere over the past two years. If he’s unable to stay healthy, the Pacers won’t have a chance to rekindle some of the magic we saw in 2013-14.

George went off after Tuesday night’s loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, blasting the team’s lack of urgency, pride and professionalism. Stephenson carries a strong sense of pride, but there have been a number of times (re-read the first two paragraphs) in which his maturity has come into question.

Without Hill and West to provide council, something even George has struggled with, there is a chance Stephenson will only slide the Pacers further into this season’s malaise.

The length of the deal adds yet another dimension with George’s future in blue and gold unknown. George and Stephenson enjoyed a lot of success together earlier this decade, but in the years since Stephenson has become the scapegoat when memorializing the team’s hipster GQ era. George is excited to relive “special memories” with Stephenson, but that doesn’t mean his presence will mean anything this summer when the Pacers will have to draw a line in the sand -- trade PG or once again restructure the parts around him.

The Pacers are hoping Lance Stephenson will help them play better right now and look better on paper in a few months.