The universe works in mysterious ways.
Four years after famously blowing in LeBron James' ear during Game 4 of the 2014 Eastern Conference finals, Lance Stephenson now finds himself as a teammate of the four-time NBA MVP on the Los Angeles Lakers - a pairing he never envisioned would ever come to fruition.
"Uh, it was actually funny that I am actually on the same team," Stephenson said on Tuesday, according to ESPN's Ohm Youngmisuk. "I am very excited to see what that brings and just playing with him, one of the best players to play the game, is going to be amazing. I can't wait to get on board."
Considering their storied postseason battles over the years, with Stephenson a member of the Indiana Pacers and James with both the Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers, the 27-year-old guard was taken aback when James' representation reached out to him about joining forces in Hollywood.
"I was actually surprised he made the move to L.A.," said Stephenson. "I guess he needed a new look. I feel like just him reaching out and showing that he liked what I bring to the game is amazing. I just can't wait to be on the floor with him, actually get on the court with him."
He added that Lakers head coach Luke Walton told him to "bring that defensive edge, be a leader on and off the court for the young guys and just bring that focus of winning and coming to compete every night" in Los Angeles.
Stephenson comes to the Lakers on a one-year, $4.5-million deal. He averaged 9.2 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 2.9 assists on 42.7 percent shooting for the Pacers last season.
