Lance Stephenson was charged with pushing his girlfriend down a flight of stairs, police said. Stephenson roughed up Jasmine Williams, 21, in the stairwell of her Brooklyn apartment building at about 5 a.m., according to police.
HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: Lance Stephenson, Indiana's second round pick in the 2010 Draft, hasn't be found guilty of anything; however, an assault charge on a girlfriend is worrying.
Domestic violence is wrong and troubling. Regradless of what happens in the courts, Stephenson and his girlfriend should seek professional help.
On a lesser note, this changes things for Stephenson and the Pacers. The Coney Island native had an excellent summer league and figured prominently into the club's rebuilding plans.
After several off-court incidents involving players, the Pacers have placed a premium on character. Executive Larry Bird traded or released Ron Artest, Stephen Jackson, and Jamaal Tinsley for various infractions, so he'll surely re-evaluate Stephenson's standing.
--Oly Sandor.
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