Lance Stephenson Blowing Into LeBron James’ Ear Led Fan to Take Revenge

Lance Stephenson vs LeBron James became part of the Miami Heat vs Indiana Pacers' rivalry of the early 2010s.


Lance Stephenson Blowing Into LeBron James’ Ear Led Fan to Take Revenge

Lance Stephenson blew into LeBron James' ear in 2014 (Image via FirstSportz)

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Over the 22 seasons LeBron James has dribbled a ball in the NBA, he has faced countless opponents. Among those, there are a few who have battled him point for point. Those who could not resorted to other tactics to try to throw the superstar off his game.

The most recent example was when Dillon Brooks tried to instigate the Los Angeles Lakers superstar. It started with pushes and shoves, but then the Memphis Grizzlies forward turned to talk trash both on and off the court.

Soon, he was on the receiving end when James dropped 40 points on him, and was also responsible for ending the Grizzlies’ playoff exit. Many felt Brooks had unnecessarily poked the bear.

Before the Canadian, the last known player to openly try to intimidate the 4-time champion was Lance Stephenson. The then Indiana Pacers star famously blew into James’ ear during the 2014 Eastern Conference Finals.

The visual of that incident is still used as a meme, and a sticking point in James’ career. But for the Pacers’ guard, he understood who he had poked later when he was at a bar. The 34-year-old, while on the 7PM in Brooklyn podcast, revealed what happened in the bar.

I ain’t gonna lie, I regret it sometimes because, I was at a club. I go to the bar. Some drunk due come and, (enacts blowing sounds). Yo, you crazy boy? ‘That’s how LeBron felt, how you like that?’

Lance Stephen shared

Lance Stephenson added that he was about to go ballistic on that man, but refrained. It is times such as these that have him believe he was wrong to do that. LeBron James ultimately had the last laugh after he led his Miami Heat to victory.

Lance Stephenson and LeBron James became teammates later

That year, had LeBron James won his 3rd NBA title, many would have held Lance Stephenson responsible for stoking the fire inside the Miami Heat star. But it was not to be, and James left to return to Cleveland the following season.

LeBron James and Lance Stephenson with the Lakers
LeBron James and Lance Stephenson with the Lakers (Image via Open Source/X)

After winning another title and then losing thrice to Stephen Curry and the Warriors, the superstar decided to move to the West Coast and join the Los Angeles Lakers. One of the players he recruited to join was Stephenson.

That season did not work out to their expectations as injuries to James, Lonzo Ball, Rajon Rondo, and Brandon Ingram throttled their progress. Stephenson left the Lakers the following season and spent time in China and the G-League.

Despite the disappointing run, Lance Stephenson had one of the most memorable plays of that season, which continues to be a part of NBA folklore.

Lance Stephenson’s unreal ankle breaker sent Lakers bench into splits

In that 2019-20 season, Lance Stephenson took on a greater role once those players struggled with injury. He played in 68 games, averaging 7.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.1 assists playing 16.5 minutes a game.

On March 26th, the Los Angeles Lakers welcomed the Washington Wizards to their arena. With a few seconds left in the 1st quarter, the home team held a slender lead. Stephenson had the ball in his hands and started to dribble back and forth and between his legs.

While doing that, he hesitated twice. The second time, Wizards star Jeff Green lost his footing and his balance. This created space, and the Lakers guard scored an easy jumper.

When he broke Green’s ankles, ESPN’s commentators lost their minds, and so did the Lakers bench. Players lay on the floor. LeBron James had his hand on his forehead. JaVale McGee had both his hands clutching his head watching this unfold.

Stephenson capped off that unreal move by showing off some dance moves. It would have been fitting if he had brought out his signature guitar celebration, but even then, that entire sequence is referred to as the coldest ankle-breakers in NBA history.

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