Doc Rivers: Stephenson can help Clippers, 'just not right now'
Lost in the midst of the Los Angeles Clippers' fourth quarter collapse against the perfect Golden State Warriors on Thursday was the fact that Lance Stephenson failed to see any floor time.
Born Ready has looked anything but for the Clippers, averaging 5.6 points and three rebounds through an early season malaise that appears worse than his year-long slump with the Charlotte Hornets in 2014-15. Those struggles have seen Stephenson lose his starting spot and log a grand total of two minutes over L.A.'s last two games, which included Thursday's DNP-CD.
Doc Rivers, who traded Matt Barnes and Spencer Hawes for Stephenson during the offseason, won't give up on Lance just yet, but he's also painfully aware that an inconsistent defender and playmaker who's shooting 37 percent can't bring much to the table.
Doc Rivers on Lance Stephenson: "He will [help us]. Just not right now."
— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) November 20, 2015
Ouch.
Considering that the Clippers' bench could use all the help it can get right now, the fact that Stephenson can't even sniff reserve minutes is quite the indictment.