Pacers coach Jim O’Brien said he’s going to try Stephenson out at point guard, but he wants him to look to score first.
“Our scouts – we knew right from his time in high school that he’s the kind of guy who can create his own shot, and he has great decision-making ability,” he said. “We think he’s a very talented, strong, hungry individual.”
Stephenson could be part of the answer at point guard for the Pacers. T.J. Ford has fallen out of favor with the team, Earl Watson is a free agent and A.J. Price is injured.
Stephenson appears to be a good fit for Indiana’s fast-break style, but Bird said the youngster has some learning to do.
“We watched him play a lot last year,” he said. “We know he’s a really, really good basketball player, but he’s just 19 years old. It’s going to take some work on his part, our part to try to teach him a lot of things, but if he gets it, he obviously has got the ability to play.”
Stephenson just wants to play. He wasn’t even upset about falling in the draft, instead saying he was just happy to have a chance to make it in the league.
“If coach wants me to be a starter, I’m going to try my best,” he said. “I’m going to try to learn the plays as quick as possible, try to learn how the team wants to be organized. Whatever coach wants me to do, that’s what I’m going to do”
(more to article)
http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20100702/SPT0101/307010031/1064/Ex-Bearcat-now-Pacers-PG-
“Our scouts – we knew right from his time in high school that he’s the kind of guy who can create his own shot, and he has great decision-making ability,” he said. “We think he’s a very talented, strong, hungry individual.”
Stephenson could be part of the answer at point guard for the Pacers. T.J. Ford has fallen out of favor with the team, Earl Watson is a free agent and A.J. Price is injured.
Stephenson appears to be a good fit for Indiana’s fast-break style, but Bird said the youngster has some learning to do.
“We watched him play a lot last year,” he said. “We know he’s a really, really good basketball player, but he’s just 19 years old. It’s going to take some work on his part, our part to try to teach him a lot of things, but if he gets it, he obviously has got the ability to play.”
Stephenson just wants to play. He wasn’t even upset about falling in the draft, instead saying he was just happy to have a chance to make it in the league.
“If coach wants me to be a starter, I’m going to try my best,” he said. “I’m going to try to learn the plays as quick as possible, try to learn how the team wants to be organized. Whatever coach wants me to do, that’s what I’m going to do”
(more to article)
http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20100702/SPT0101/307010031/1064/Ex-Bearcat-now-Pacers-PG-
