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Lance Stephenson has been voted the fourth most valuable asset available to the Hornets this season. After a week of voting, Stephenson received 45 percent of the votes. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Kemba Walker finished third and second in the poll, respectively, with 27 percent and 22 percent of the votes.
Stephenson hasn't been in Charlotte very long, but he's already proven to be a controversial figure among fans. His talent is undeniable; In 34.3 minutes per game this season, Stephenson is averaging 9.8 points, 8.2 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game. Unfortunately, his tendency to go for the flashy play often leads to turnovers or missed defensive assignments. His shooting has been particularly poor this season, and while he's never been regarded as a great scorer, he's been a fairly efficient player throughout his career thus far. With a larger role and more freedom on offense this season, Stephenson's struggled to put the ball in the basket.
Still, he's the best-rebounding guard in the NBA by a large margin, and he can create space off the dribble like few others. The challenge for Stephenson is balancing his flair for the dramatic with making the smart, easy play, in addition to remaining focused. Recently, Stephenson's looked more comfortable with his teammates and is operating within the flow of the offense for the most part, but unfortunately this hasn't led to wins for the Hornets. While some fans are prepared to call the Stephenson signing a failed experiment, he's steadily improved every game. No one expected Stephenson to fit in immediately, so this is a promising sign for the team. It's only a matter of time until the Hornets start winning again.