Stephenson: Clippers Missing Guy That’s Tough

(Los Angeles Clippers Lance) Stephenson’s defensive potential is especially enticing for the Clippers after years of putting the aging Matt Barnes on opposing wing players, with mixed results. Barnes now plays for Memphis after the Hornets acquired him and Spencer Hawes in the Stephenson trade before flipping Barnes to the Grizzlies.

“They’re just missing that guy that’s tough and doesn’t bow down to no one,” Stephenson said of the Clippers.

Stephenson said he can play alongside (Jamal) Crawford, further evidence of Stephenson’s politicking to put his bad-teammate reputation to rest. He compared his leadership style to that of Clippers point guard Chris Paul and said observers often confuse his fiery demeanor with something more sinister.

Source: Ben Bolch of the Los Angeles Times