Lance Stephenson was best known for his stint with the Indiana Pacers and everyone knows how his career had spiraled since then.

He was given a new lease on life this season by the Los Angeles Clippers, despite his short and sorry stint with the Charlotte Hornets. Stephenson never got it going and was eventually traded to the Memphis Grizzlies at the NBA trade deadline in exchange for Jeff Green.

Stephenson was selected 40th overall in the 2010 NBA Draft, but it was only during the 2012-13 season that he became a regular starter with Granger hit by injury.

Lance Stephenson's Best Years

However, it was during the 2013-14 season where he showed his best, finishing second to Goran Dragic in the NBA Most Improved player race, per NBA.com.

But the year was all about how Stephenson played on the hardwood, calling to mind the celebrated ‘ear-blowing’ incident involving then Miami Heat and current Cleveland Cavaliers star Lebron James.

The Mind Game Years

For NBA fans, this was most memorable in the NBA playoffs that pitted the Pacers and the Heat. Stephenson became notorious for his mind-game antics, which even drew the attention of Pacers president Larry Bird. But unknown to most, there was another instance which could have turned awry.

Former Pacers star Danny Granger recounts that the celebrated incident happened during game 3 of the 2012 Eastern Conference semifinals.

A video shown below saw Stephenson gesturing a choking sign at LeBrown when he missed a free throw following a technical foul on Granger. The Heat lost that game but ended up wrapping the series in six games.

"They were protecting LeBron. They thought Lance had done something disrespectful to him," Granger said via SiriusXM NBA Radio.

Who Wanted a Piece of Lance Stephenson?

Among the players mentioned were Juwan Howard and Udonis Haslem, known enforcers in the league. A third player mentioned seems a bit off in Chris Andersen since the ‘Birdman’ only hooked up with the Heat the following season.

Stephenson has been known to try and get into the minds of players. However, it may be safe to say that the ploy never worked on LeBron.

Struggling Stephenson

These days, Stephenson has thus far not been the same person, though that could be charged to maturity. There is no telling how he will fit in with the Grizzlies and what lies ahead after this season.

So far, he seems to be showing signs of life in Memphis. They are currently 37-24, which is good for the fifth spot in the Western Conference.