Lakers’ LeBron James reacts to Lance Stephenson’s rap video

LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers started their preseason schedule 2-1 when a veteran of former teammate Lance Stephenson caught the attention of the four-time champion on social media. After LeBron praised Quincy Olivari for impacting the Lakers’ 107-102 win against the Milwaukee Bucks on his Instagram on Thursday, he showed Stephenson some love on that same platform. James reacted to Stephenson’s rap video on his 24-hour story.

“Go crazy BORN READY!” LeBron captioned On The Radar with Gabe P’s IG video of Stephenson rapping in a studio.

Stephenson, who last played for the Atlanta Hawks in 2021-22, spent 2018-19 with James and the Lakers. That season, he averaged 7.2 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 16.5 minutes per game. However, early in Lance’s 11-year NBA career, he was James’ rival during his time with the Miami Heat.

Lance Stephenson and the Indiana Pacers faced James and the Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals in back-to-back years in 2014, with the Heat beating the Pacers in both appearances.

Shocking stat highlights Bronny James’ preseason struggles

In preparation for his 22nd NBA season, LeBron James is adjusting to the monotony of preseason travel as the Los Angeles Lakers travel east for their exhibition against the Milwaukee Bucks. James finished with 11 points on 4-of-11 shooting, six rebounds and three assists in 16 minutes in the Lakers’ second win in three tries, but his son, Bronny James, struggled.

After the win, a shocking stat added to Bronny’s struggles compared to the rest of the NBA. In the early stages of the preseason, he has the worst on/off streak through three games, per Steph Noh of The Sporting News.

“Through three preseason games, Bronny James has the worst plus/minus of the 494 players to log exhibition minutes thus far,” Noh reported.

The second-round pick didn’t score after going 0-for-4, including 0-for-2 from deep, without registering another stat in 6:07 of Thursday’s win over the Bucks. Three games into the preseason, he has yet to record a field goal since his preseason debut when he finished with two points on 1-of-6 attempts, three blocks, an assist and a rebound in 16 minutes against the Minnesota Timberwolves. After that, Bronny finished with zero points (0-for-1), two rebounds and four turnovers in a loss against the Phoenix Suns.

Meanwhile, Lakers undrafted rookie Quincy Olivari, who signed an Exhibit-10 contract in the offseason, had 11 points on 4-of-6 shooting, including 3-of-4 from deep, five rebounds and two assists in nine minutes against the Bucks. He finished the night with a plus-20.