Lance Stephenson has always been more than just a basketball player; he is an experience. From the legendary playgrounds of Coney Island to becoming a focal point of the Indiana Pacers’ most competitive era, “Born Ready” has carried the grit and flair of New York City wherever he goes. Now, as he navigates a multi-faceted career involving music, film, and the BIG3, Stephenson remains as candid as ever. I caught up with the veteran swingman to discuss his ultimate NYC starting five, the current state of the Pacers, his relationship with LeBron James, and why he believes the 2019 Lakers were destined for a championship that never was.
Q&A With Lance Stephenson On Scoop B Radio
Lance Stephenson’s energy is infectious. Whether he’s playing air guitar after a clutch three or locking up the league’s toughest wings, he brings a level of showmanship that is rare in today’s game. Sitting down with the Brooklyn native, it’s clear that his passion for the game—and his city—hasn’t dimmed a bit.
Make sure to also check out the full Scoop B Radio interview with Lance Stephenson by clicking HERE.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: You’ve seen the best of the best come out of the five boroughs. Who makes your Mount Rushmore of New York City ballplayers?
Lance Stephenson: [smiling] Aw man! It’s so many! I don’t want to leave anyone off… I got so many… [laughs].
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: If you had to narrow it down to an all-time favorite starting five of NYC legends, who are you running with?
Lance Stephenson: New York City legends… [smiling] I’m definitely picking Stephon Marbury, especially in the point guard position. I ain’t gonna lie, at the 2-guard, I’m gonna be on there. Then I’ve got Ron Artest (Metta Sandiford-Artest), Lamar Odom, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. We’d have to work on our shooting, though; we’re kind of limited on shooting! [laughs].
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: Switching gears to your former team, what is your take on the Indiana Pacers so far this season?
Lance Stephenson: It’s been tough, you know? When you lose your best player—to lose a guy that leads a team and is the guy—it kind of messes up the whole team. Yeah, it’s kinda tough and I’m a little mad for them right now. I really want to go out there and help ‘em because I know I can come in there and provide that spark. I feel like they’re still good, but they’re just missing their best guy.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: There is often a conversation about how the league treats veteran presence. Do you feel the NBA discriminates against older players who can still contribute to younger rosters?
Lance Stephenson: I think they’re trying to focus on the youth and the younger guys. When I came in, I took an older guy’s spot too, so I can’t be hating, man. I just think they’re prioritizing the younger guys and making sure they come in and learn the game. But I do think they should have at least one or two vets on every team to help lead those guys in the right direction, put them in the right position, and make sure they have their heads on right.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: You played with LeBron James in 2018 and you’re watching him now in the 2025-26 season. What is the biggest difference in his game today?
Lance Stephenson: Man! He’s always been a team player, but I feel like now he’s super team. He’s all about winning; it’s not about stats anymore. He’s making sure the younger guys are ready. I just see that he’s trying to win a ‘chip. He’s not worried about scoring; he’s just trying to make the right play. He always did that, but I feel like he’s gone to the next level with it. I’m happy for him because he’s showing the youth that you can be effective in all ways. That’s what I like about LeBron. You can’t hate on him, man! [laughs].
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: Beyond the court, you’ve been busy. Tell me about the clothing line and your other ventures.
Lance Stephenson: I’m just starting something new. I’ve been out the league and I’m just trying to find myself. I’ve been rapping, I’ve been in movies, I have clothing lines coming out… I’m just trying to have fun, man.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: On the music side, who would you compare your rap flow to?
Lance Stephenson: I feel like I can do it all. I have no comparisons. There is a lot of talent out here, but I try to do singing, I try to do country—I’m trying to do all types of stuff. I’m trying to do everything. I do rap and I have a lot of music; I just put out a piece of it recently.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: What is a “day in the life” like when Lance Stephenson is in the recording studio?
Lance Stephenson: You’re gonna have a lot of laughter. It’s going to be a lot of laughing! Because while I’m making the songs, you’re going to be like, “Why are you saying that?” [laughs]. It’s just fun.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: What is your ultimate goal outside of the game of basketball?
Lance Stephenson: Just to leave a great legacy off the court. I want to show everybody that Lance is a hustler and a hard worker and that he’s always going to find a way.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: We saw things get a bit heated in the BIG3 between you and Dwight Howard. What was the vibe there?
Lance Stephenson: [laughing] Aw man! It was a competitive game and it was his first game. It was my first game too. Our team was doing really good and he was getting frustrated—it was his first time at the BIG3 level. We got tangled up but there are no hard feelings between me and Dwight. It was just a little pushing match. [laughs].
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: People on the outside often think you and Michael Beasley have beef, but the reality is the opposite. What’s the truth there?
Lance Stephenson: Michael Beasley? Man, we grew up together. We spent years playing against each other and playing on the same teams. But when you’re playing one-on-one, all that “friends” stuff goes out the window.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: What was that experience like in 2019 when you and Beasley were teammates on the Lakers?
Lance Stephenson: It was actually fun. It was a lot of different, aggressive personalities, but it was actually one of my favorite seasons in my career. Not just on the court, but off the court we were really bonding as a team. It just so happened that LeBron got hurt that year. I feel like if LeBron didn’t get hurt, we would’ve been up there. We would’ve won it. I promise you that. Mark my words! They won it the next year, but the team we had in 2019 was better than that championship team.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: You truly believe that 2019 Lakers squad would have beaten the Golden State Warriors and made the Finals?
Lance Stephenson: Yes. We would’ve won. I promise you! We would’ve won!
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: You’ve also been playing Wellball lately. What’s the draw there?
Lance Stephenson: It’s very competitive. I like shooting and it’s a pure shooting competition. When it’s about that, it’s gonna be fun. Steph [Marbury] called me like, “Yo man! I got this thing going on…” He sent me out the first time and I was like, “Oh man, this is fun!” Since then, I’m down.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: If you had to build the ultimate Wellball team to win Olympic Gold, who are you picking?
Lance Stephenson: In the Olympics? You need Steph Curry because there is no age limit. I would put Steph Curry, Reggie Miller, and Peja Stojaković—but Peja isn’t from the U.S., so we can’t use him, right? So I’d use Klay Thompson.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: Do you view Steph Curry as the modern-day Reggie Miller?
Lance Stephenson: Yes. He’s changed the game. All the kids want to shoot now. I even want to! I was always about going to the hole. Once I saw Stephen Curry hitting those shots coming down, I was like, “I gotta learn how to shoot better!” I started getting in the gym more trying to learn how to shoot. He definitely changed the game; all the kids want to shoot 3’s, do the celebrations, and put everybody to sleep. He’s the man. I’m definitely not gonna lie.
Conclusion
Whether he is playing one-on-one with childhood friends or reflecting on missed championship opportunities in Los Angeles, Lance Stephenson remains one of the most authentic voices in the sport. He is a man transitioning—from the “Born Ready” phenom to a veteran mentor and entrepreneur.
While the NBA’s youth movement continues, Stephenson’s confidence hasn’t wavered; he still believes he can help a contender, and based on his hustle off the court, he’s far from finished making an impact.
