Update: Lance didn't make it.

INDIANAPOLIS -- Never fear, Pacers fans. Hollywood hasn't changed Lance Stephenson. Not one bit. He's still the same kooky goofball that made him one of Indianapolis' most-beloved athletes, and he proved it Tuesday.

Sitting in front of a horde of media members on the afternoon of his first return to Indianapolis and Bankers Life Fieldhouse since signing with the Los Angeles Lakers this offseason, Lance Stephenson delivered in a way that only Lance Stephenson can.

Just as he was promising Indianapolis fans the atmosphere for tonight's Pacers-Lakers game would be electric (obviously), he followed it up with an open invitation to all the Born Ready fans in the city.

"It’s going to be an incredible game tonight," Stephenson said. "I love coming here, especially coming here and sleeping in my own bed.

"And I'm definitely going to go to Hooters after the game tonight (laughs). Definitely looking forward to that. Everyone meet me at Hooters after the game!"

More Pacers:

More Lance:

What a deal!: 6 wings at Hooters cost $10.49. You can get 3 months of IndyStar for $3. Eating wings with Lance Stephenson would be priceless, however.

Serious or not -- and I wouldn't doubt that he is -- Stephenson didn't spend the whole interview talking restaurants. He's truly looking forward to playing in front of Indianapolis fans again. They are the kind of fans "you dream, every night, of playing for."

Stephenson made it perfectly clear that despite no longer wearing Pacers blue and gold, Tuesday night's game is a homecoming. He loves Indianapolis as much as it loves him.

"It’s a blessing (to be back)," he said. "It’s like family here."

While his love for Indianapolis hasn't changed since he left, there of course, have been some changes in his professional life. Now that he wears the same uniform as LeBron James, he's no longer concocting ways ways to irritate the four-time MVP. No more stare-downs or quick slaps. No more blowing in his ear.

It's a different era of the LeBron-Lance rivalry, one that both parties are enjoying.

"(Our relationship has) definitely changed," Stephenson said. "We're kinda similar. Going against him, a lot of battles and a lot of little fights and trying to win against each other, and now getting to know him as a teammate it’s totally different.

"It’s been great. He’s a great person. He’s a great leader. He pushes me every day. He pushes everyone. He’s a great guy to play next to and learn from."

James, too, has enjoyed playing alongside Stephenson rather than having to worry about what he might do next.

While he hated playing against Stephenson, that's only because of how competitive Stephenson was -- how determined he was to win.

"You always got those guys you hate," James said after shootaround. "They're your competitors. But when they come to your team and they become your teammates, you love 'em."

"I've had my battles with Lance, and you definitely hate competing against (guys like him), but you respect them because you know how much they just want to complete and want to win at all costs. ... I love having him here as a Laker."

Stephenson and James also came together to express their sympathy for their friend -- and Stephenson's former teammate -- Victor Oladipo.

Stephenson immediately contacted Oladipo when he heard what happened.

"Man, I was sad," Stephenson said. "Definitely reached out to him to see if he was OK. Freak accidents like that are definitely scary. Victor is definitely a great guy, great leader, great teammate. He pushes everyone. For him to go down is a hard blow even for me. ... I learned a lot from him."

"I know how much Vic has put into his craft and how much he’s put into his body, so know this was a freak accident," added James, who said he expects to play Tuesday night. "You can't say it’s because he hasn’t trained or he hasn’t put work into his body -- that’s the reason it happen. It was just a freak accident. But I know he’ll come back stronger."

Follow IndyStar Sports reporter Jim Ayello on Twitter and Facebook: @jimayello.