Hornets’ Coach Steve Clifford Frustrated with Guard Lance Stephenson
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Jed Jacobson/Getty Images(CHARLOTTE, N.C.) — Charlotte Hornets guard Lance Stephenson has yet to live up to expectations after the team made him their big free agent acquisition over the summer, and his head coach Steve Clifford has admitted as much.
The Hornets signed Stephenson away from the Indiana Pacers after agreeing on a three-year deal worth $27 million. They thought they’d be getting a dynamic guard coming into his prime.
“To be fair, one of the things that’s made it more difficult for him is that he came here and people proclaimed him as the next superstar,” Clifford said Wednesday. “He’s not a star. He’s a guy that has talent to become a star. To be a star in this league, you have to do it over years.”
So far this season, Stephenson is averaging 9.7 points on .368% shooting, 8.1 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game.
Clifford decided to sit Stephenson the entire fourth quarter during the team’s loss to Portland Trail Blazers for the second consecutive game.
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