MACAU—Lance Stephenson is slowly making his mark in the Asian basketball scene, although the best impressions came against PBA teams.
Stephenson had his fair share of heated moments with players from the PBA, getting into a spat against TNT’s David Semerad in the group stage and then getting into it against Beermen’s Chris Ross and Kelly Nabong.
Being someone of a pest himself during his NBA days, Stephenson said the heated moments, though, just stay on the basketball floor.
“I don’t want to fight but I want to protect myself and I want to stay healthy,” said Stephenson after he led Liaoning to the 111-89 win over the Beermen in the East Asia Super League: The Terrific 12 semifinals Saturday at Tap Seac Sports Pavilion here.
“There’s no beef, we shook hands after the game, and it’s fun during the game but once the game’s over we shake hands and go our ways.”
Stephenson and Nabong talked trash to each other during the second quarter, where the Flying Leopards buried San Miguel with a 25-7 run to take the game.
The former Los Angeles Laker then got into it with Chris Ross, leading to technical fouls for both players early in the third quarter.
Stephenson said that he’s aware defenders would play hard on him since he and his opponents just want to win.
“I play hard all the time, I did it with the best of them, and when I’m going out there the other guys are going to come out the hardest against me because they also want to win,” said Stephenson.