Lance Stephenson and Paul George entered the league as rookies with the Indiana Pacers in 2010 under very different circumstances. Stephenson was a second-round pick, 40th overall, while George was a first-round lottery pick, selected 10th overall.
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Naturally, Stephenson questioned the gap. He believed he had just as much talent, if not more, and wondered whether he should have been “that guy” for the Pacers instead. That sparked a rivalry between the two.
Stephenson revealed recently that he and George constantly pushed each other, battling in practices and trying to outdo one another at every turn. Rather than divide them, that competitive fire helped both of them grow. And over time, Stephenson realized what made PG special, even learning from him.
George wasn’t just talented; he was disciplined, noted Stephenson, who paid close attention to how PG handled his business every day. From the way he trained to the seriousness he brought to practice, George was doing everything the right way.
“I used to watch him like, why they got him over me? And those were the reasons. He was one of those guys that did everything right. First one in there, no injuries, strong body,” Stephenson said on 7PM in Brooklyn.
One habit that especially stood out to Stephenson was film study. Early on, he admitted he didn’t get it. Watching tape wasn’t something he grew up doing.
But for George, it was routine. He studied opponents, broke down plays, and found ways to improve by focusing on the details. “I don’t watch film. He was on it,” said Stephenson.
“Somebody must’ve told him, like, this is what you gotta do to learn the game, and he had it right away. I picked up on that as the season was going. I’m like, oh, that’s why they like doing this. So, I started doing it, and then I got my opportunity,” the ex-Los Angeles Laker added.
Stephenson’s respect for George grew from that point. He stopped questioning the pecking order and started learning from him instead. He saw how George’s focus, structure, and mentality led to real success.
While the competitive spirit between them remained, it became less about who should be the star and more about how they could grow together. But George and Stephenson never quite found postseason success together with the Pacers.
In 2014, Stephenson moved on and began a journeyman career that saw him bounce around the league. George, on the other hand, became a nine-time All-Star and established himself as one of the NBA’s elite players.
Perhaps that gap came down to the very difference Stephenson once pointed out: Talent needs discipline to truly succeed.
