Doc Rivers: Lance Stephenson needs consistency to get minutes

Lance Stephenson

Lance Stephenson/Photo courtesy of Los Angeles Clippers

 

Small forward Lance Stephenson started the first nine games of the season for the Clippers. He was unceremoniously yanked from the starting five and since then he’s had difficulty getting real minutes. In one game, he didn’t play at all. In another, he saw two minutes of action.

Stephenson had a fine season two years ago for the Indiana Pacers. And every time he does hit the floor for the Clippers, he brings endless energy. But it’s more than that.

“Just be consistent,” coach Doc Rivers said, when asked what Stephenson has to do to get back some of his minutes. “Defensively, offensively, just be more consistent. And his execution. He’ll get that.

“I keep saying Lance, I think, at the end of the day will come through for us.”

Stephenson is averaging 4.4 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.4 assists. He averaged 13.8 points, 7.2 rebounds and 4.6 assists in 2013-14 for Indiana.