Jordan Heck

@JordanHeckFF

Former Pacer and current ESPN/Grantland analyst Jalen Rose filmed a podcast on Wednesday and discussed multiple topics in the NBA. At around the 42:30 mark he starts discussing Lance Stephenson and the Indiana Pacers.

The conversation started with Stephenson's antics, or 'Lantics' as they say in the video, during the Heat series. Here's what Rose said about Stephenson trying to get inside of LeBron James' head.

"A couple of years ago of course he was still in a suit and tie trying to earn his way. And all of a sudden now he's become an important player in the series. So when you become an important player in the series there's certain things you can't do anymore."

I have no problem with him getting up in LeBron James' face. I do have a problem with him blowing in his ear. Your breath has been stinky for three hours playing basketball. … There are certain ethics you don't do, Jacoby. You don't do that one.

Rose also added he didn't like Stephenson standing over James in Game 6 and he didn't him being in the coach's huddle during Game 5. But there was an aspect of his game that Rose enjoyed.

"The trash talking? I have zero issue with it. And I was upset that so many people had one with it. Because if you can't beat LeBron physically and mentally, maybe I can try something emotionally. Maybe I can talk a little trash to him in the media. Maybe I can do a little stuff to get him off his game. But you know what LeBron did? Treated him like a bug on a windshield. He wasn't even tripping."

"Lance is young. I've been young. I've done and said more dumb things than Lance has ever done. However, just like anyone else. Dumb things you said and did at 21,22 and 23 you shouldn't be doing them at 26, 27 and 28. And that's what I'm going to judge Lance by and I think all of this is going to be a learning experience for him."

The conversation then went to whether or not Stephenson cost himself money by doing all of these actions. They also discussed whether or not the antics were worth the good of Stephenson.

"The cause versus the effect. Is it worth it? And at this point of his career, where he led the team in overall assists and rebounds and he was second in points, led the NBA in triple-doubles. It's absolutely worth it."

Rose was then asked directly, "Do you think Lance will be with the Pacers next year?"

"I do. It does not save the Pacers cap relief to let him go. In other words, even if he left, they would not be able to replenish that salary. So fiscally it makes sense for them to keep him around. And I think there's a loyalty piece that's going to exist because early in Lance's career I don't think he'd be in the league if he wasn't with the Pacers and he wasn't under Larry's tutelage. Because of the growth he had to make off the court."

After discussing Stephenson, Rose talked about the future of the Pacers. He called Paul George a top 10 player in the league.

"What happens around [Paul George] is the key. You already basically in at around 10+ with West and Hibbert. You want to bring back Lance. The key is the guard position. I think George Hill is a backup point guard. They got to get somebody that's going to get everybody easy shots, get up and down the floor in transition more and bring Hill off the bench."

Also, Rose discussed the comments made by him and Reggie Miller towards one another. In an earlier Grantland podcast Rose said 'Reggie Miller didn't speak up for me' which caused a response from Miller. Miller was critical of Rose's comments on the Dan Patrick Show and told Jalen 'less me, me, me, less I, I, I.'

Here's what Rose had to say about the situation:

"I made some comments about Reggie. On this podcast. He made a rebuttal, so to speak, on the Dan Patrick Show. I got love for Dan. Me and Reggie ironed out whatever disagreement or us not seeing eye-to-eye. We're going to break bread when this season is over. And that's still my big brother in the NBA. And it's all love."

View the whole podcast by clicking here.