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Stephenson's agent is trying to negotiate an overseas contract for his client. Agent Al Ebanks wants Stephenson to get experience because his NBA resume consists of a mere 114 minutes in 12 games. "Going overseas is important based on the fact that there's no end in sight to the lockout," Ebanks said. "Lance wants to stay in shape. The holdup is that we're working on a clause that the minute the lockout is lifted, he can go back to the NBA. He's worked his entire life to play in the NBA." Indianapolis Star

Indiana Pacers, Lance Stephenson, Lockout 

Bird referred to Stephenson as the team's "best player" in June and there's a lot of optimism about the prospect of Stephenson maturing on and off the court during what could be a longer offseason. Indianapolis Star

Indiana Pacers, Lance Stephenson 

But the 20-year-old who had just one season of college basketball at Cincinnati is also one of the players team officials worry about the most during the lockout because all lines of communication are cut off. "It's very hard not being able to talk to those guys," Stephenson said during his most extensive interview since joining the Pacers in June 2010. "I like to keep in contact with everybody so I can show them how hard I'm working to be one of the best players on the team and help the team win." Indianapolis Star

Indiana Pacers, Lance Stephenson 

He's not living in New York because, as he put it, "there are too many temptations to hang out and get off track back at home. It's all about basketball while living here." Indianapolis Star

Indiana Pacers, Lance Stephenson 

"Everybody thinks I'm immature, but I'm going to prove that's not me," Stephenson said. "I like when somebody puts pressure on me. I take that as a motivation." Indianapolis Star

Indiana Pacers, Lance Stephenson 

He didn't handle constructive criticism from his teammates well. He'd counter their comments -- some helpful, others sarcastic -- by being standoffish. "I took it as they were trying to pick on a rookie and making me do all the little stuff," Stephenson said. "They made me do extra stuff to pick on me. I didn't want to do stuff like taking Gatorade to the bus, and I used to tell them that. Coming from New York, you learn not to take any mess." Indianapolis Star

Indiana Pacers, Lance Stephenson 

Stephenson wouldn't disclose what he did but said his teammates tried to warn him before he got into trouble. "That could have been the moment where everybody could've felt how they feel about me now," Stephenson said. "I didn't take it as my teammates were trying to help me until the end of the season. That's when I figured out they were trying to help me. I had mistakes -- I have to learn from it and get better at it." Indianapolis Star

Indiana Pacers, Lance Stephenson 

Indiana Pacers guard Lance Stephenson will play in either China or Italy during the NBA lockout, according to his agent. “We’re working on a couple things and we’ve narrowed it down to Italy and China for now,” Alberto Ebanks told SNY.tv by phone. “He’s excited about just getting a run going while the lockout is in place. I think it’s important to stay in basketball shape so he’s about to bust a move.” ZagsBlog.com

Indiana Pacers, Lance Stephenson, Lockout, China, Italy 

One key element of the deal would be a clause allowing Stephenson, the former Lincoln High School star who played sparingly as a rookie with the Pacers, to return to the NBA as soon as the lockout ends. “It could happen shortly, it could happen in the next month,” Ebanks said. ZagsBlog.com

Indiana Pacers, Lance Stephenson, Lockout, China, Italy 

Lance Stephenson has to have some kind of personal revelation this summer, or he's going to waste a precious gift. "When he's playing, he's fine and has as much talent as anybody on this team," Bird said. "He's a long shot, but he's my ace in the hole. If we can get him to grow up, he knows how to play . . . "I know he's a pain in the ass and the guys in the locker room get frustrated with him, but I'm not giving up on him. Unless he does something crazy." Indianapolis Star

Indiana Pacers, Lance Stephenson 

Vogel announced Saturday that Stephenson would be the fourth point guard for the rest of the regular season and during the playoffs. The only way he will play is if there's an injury to any of the point guards in front of him -- Darren Collison, A.J. Price and Ford. "I'm just learning from the mistake and going to keep playing hard and encourage my teammates and try to get back to the third point guard," Stephenson said. Indianapolis Star

Indiana Pacers, Lance Stephenson 

Stephenson, who didn't say what caused his demotion, knows he only has himself to blame and must grow out of his label as an offensively talented but immature person. "I'm not perfect," Stephenson said. "Once the mistakes happen, I have to learn from them. I have to work hard and show everybody I'm learning and getting back on the floor." Indianapolis Star

Indiana Pacers, Lance Stephenson 

But Stephenson, who would only be a sophomore in college, has been testing the patience of many in the organization with his standoffish attitude. He has had run-ins with several teammates. "It's a negative light and I'll learn from it," Stephenson said. "I'm not going to let anybody bring me down. I'm going to work hard regardless." Indianapolis Star

Indiana Pacers, Lance Stephenson 

Any chance of Stephenson playing in the final two regular-season games or the playoffs ended Saturday, when coach Frank Vogel said Stephenson was demoted for violating team rules. "He'll be the fourth point guard through the playoffs," Vogel said. "This is being done for disciplinary reasons. T.J. (Ford) will be our third point guard." Indianapolis Star

Indiana Pacers, Lance Stephenson, Frank Vogel 

Vogel declined to say what Stephenson did to warrant those actions. He did say, though, that there are no legal issues involved with Stephenson. Stephenson has had maturity issues going back to when he was a high school star in New York City. It's those same issues that caused him to fall to the second round of the draft last summer. Indianapolis Star

Indiana Pacers, Lance Stephenson, Frank Vogel 

There’s no way to answer that question, but Cronin for one is glad that Stephenson made the decision he did, glad for Stephenson and for the UC program. “I thought it was right for both of us,” Cronin said. “I thought he would develop better there because he would feel less pressure because he would already have a paycheck and he would already be in the NBA. “We had Sean Kilpatrick redshirting and everybody back. There’s no question it was best for us. Less drama. You’ve got to have a team at this level.” cincinnati.com

Indiana Pacers, Draft, Lance Stephenson, Mick Cronin 

Veterans Danny Granger and Dahntay Jones took exception to comments made to them during the game by rookie Lance Stephenson. Jones had to be restrained from going after Stephenson in the huddle during a second-half timeout. Indianapolis Star

Indiana Pacers, Danny Granger, Lance Stephenson, Dahntay Jones 

Things carried over to the locker room after the game when a number of other players were involved in a heated argument. Indianapolis Star

Indiana Pacers, Danny Granger, Lance Stephenson, Dahntay Jones 

Stephenson, the team's second-round draft pick, is talented. But there are questions about the 20-year-old's maturity on and off the court. One of the Pacers' problems is the absence of a player who can mentor Stephenson and help him grow. "Our problem is internally," Bird said. "I see what's going on inside the locker room. I've seen a lot of it all year. I tried to address it with different people at the trade deadline." Indianapolis Star

Indiana Pacers, Danny Granger, Lance Stephenson, Larry Bird, Dahntay Jones 

The lack of commitment in practice is showing up in games. The Pacers have lost by at least 10 points in five of their past seven defeats. "You have to have the players behind you and they have to be willing to work hard," Bird said. "I know what's going on; the players know what's going on. We're just not getting the effort." Indianapolis Star

Indiana Pacers, Danny Granger, Lance Stephenson, Larry Bird, Dahntay Jones