Lance Stephenson gained notoriety as one of the NBA’s most relentless provocateurs while playing for the Indiana Pacers. Known for defending and disrupting elite wings, Stephenson’s toughest assignment came against LeBron James during the Miami Heat’s Big 3 era. In a memorable moment, Stephenson leaned over during a playoff game and blew directly into LeBron James’ ear, a stunt that instantly became an iconic image in basketball history and captured the playful chaos of his style.
Why Stephenson Now Regrets the Ear-Blowing Moment
Years after that infamous act, Stephenson shared why he sometimes regrets blowing in LeBron’s ear, not because of James himself, but due to a surprising aftermath at a nightclub. During a late-night visit to a club, Stephenson recounts how a fan of LeBron retaliated by blowing in his ear after spotting him at the bar.
Stephenson described the encounter:
“I ain’t gon’ lie, yo, I regret it sometimes,”
he said.
“Because, I was at a club, right? So I came in the club late, I didn’t get no section — I didn’t wanna waste no money — so I go to the bar and some drunk dude come and [blows]. I’m like, ‘Yo! What the — you crazy boy?!’”
He added the fan shouted,
“’That’s how LeBron felt, how you like that?!’”
Stephenson continued,
“I was about to go ham, bro. Like the hard spit blow. I was about to go crazy on him.”
—Lance Stephenson, NBA Player
The Enduring Impact of Stephenson’s Playoff Antics
This amusing story highlights how the ear-blowing episode has remained a defining part of Stephenson’s career, and underscores the passion of LeBron James’ fanbase. Despite the Pacers’ strength during the early 2010s, the team is often remembered for that playful but embarrassing incident rather than their on-court competitiveness.
Stephenson’s Pacers challenged the dominant Miami Heat led by LeBron at the height of his powers, pushing them close in multiple Eastern Conference Finals matchups. However, the moment that overshadows those intense battles is Stephenson’s controversial move, which continues to spark laughter and discussion among NBA fans years later.