The Indiana Pacers somehow managed from imploding this offseason by getting the Game 2 win against the Atlanta Hawks and evening up the series. However, the win is still met with controversy as the Pacers fall under an extreme amount of pressure to live up to their No. 1 seed. Apparently the team is folding under the heat as players are lashing out against one another.
Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski is reporting that Lance Stephenson and Evan Turner allowed their tension to brew over and got into a cursing match prior to Game 1. The two had to be separated before taking the floor. Both players have fallen under criticism since the Pacers' slide from grace. Stephenson is being looked at as one of the players that was being called out for selfishness. In a contract season, he has not been passing the ball as much and in Game 2 he only put up seven points. Turner on the other hand has not found his role in the Pacers offense. He hit just one shot against the Hawks as Indiana needs more if they are going to win the series.
The fight with Turner is not the first time Stephenson lost his temper. It was reported that earlier in the month that he got into a fight with George Hill as the two got into a verbal confrontation during a loss to the San Antonio Spurs. Teammates were forced to step in and separate the two as a lack of leadership and selfishness began to be questioned.
All of this is merely leading up to the exit of Stephenson. Approaching free agency, Bleacher Report is reporting that the guard is not likely to return to the team. Indiana is viewing Turner as the future of the postion and Stephenson is expected to command more money than the Pacers are willing to pay. He has insisted he will re-sign with the team, but his recent antics might not make that an option.
So who could be in the market for Stephenson come June 1? The Chicago Bulls are considered a favorite, but only if Carmelo Anthony does not sign on. Chicago had interest in trading for the guard back during the season and could make a move in free agency. If the Bulls sign Anthony than the Knicks become a prime landing spot for Stephenson, but only at the right price. The Dallas Mavericks are also a target as Mark Cuban favors a Monta Ellis/Stephenson pairing.
Stephenson is not the only issue for the Pacers. Dropping the first-round series to the Atlanta Hawks could mean the firing of Frank Vogel. The player fights and lack of consistency in the postseason has put his job into question. ESPN.com is reporting that Vogel is currently coaching for his job at the moment. Add that to the pressure resting on the team's shoulders.
