"I regret it" - Lance Stephenson hilariously recalls LeBron James fan hitting him with signature ear-blow in wild nightclub revenge

NBA: Indiana Pacers at Brooklyn Nets - Source: Imagn
NBA: Indiana Pacers at Brooklyn Nets - Source: Imagn

During Game 5 of the 2014 Eastern Conference Finals, Lance Stephenson tried to play mind games with then-Miami Heat star LeBron James by blowing in his ear. This moment has been replayed countless times on TV and social media, but it did have its drawbacks, as per the former Indiana Pacers guard.

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In a clip from Tuesday's episode of the "7PM in Brooklyn" podcast, Stephenson explained how the ear-blowing incident came back to haunt him off the court.

"I ain't gonna lie, I regret it," Stephenson said. "I was at a club...I go to the bar, some drunk dude comes and..." Stephenson then makes a blowing sound, drawing laughter from the podcast hosts.
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Stephenson recalled that, as he felt the "hard spit blow" on his ear that night, he felt empathy for his playoff opponent all those years ago.

"I was like, 'yo, you crazy, boy?' That's how LeBron felt!" Stephenson said.

Whether or not Stephenson's mind games with James worked is unclear, but the Pacers were able to overcome the Heat that night as they pulled off a 93-90 win. Though this victory allowed Indiana to stave off elimination, Miami went on to end the series in Game 6.

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That was the last time that Stephenson made it to an NBA conference final, but his ear-blowing tactic has since been immortalized.

"I'm in the locker room going ham": Lance Stephenson recalls his extra motivation to defeat Knicks in 2013 Eastern Conference semis

In 2013, Stephenson went up against another all-time great in Carmelo Anthony as the Pacers faced the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

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Stephenson, a New York native, recalled how fired up he was to go up against his hometown team in that series.

"Whatever it took, I was not going to lose," he said on the podcast. "I'm in the locker room and I'm like, 'Yo, we better not lose, I don't give a f***! PG, look at me!' I'm in the locker room going ham." [Timestamp - 49:05]
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Stephenson added that he drew extra motivation from a friend who doubted Indiana's chances, saying that Knicks stars like Carmelo Anthony and JR Smith kept "cooking" the Pacers. Stephenson ended up having the last laugh as his team eliminated the Knicks in six games.

Pacers Fan? Check out the latest Indiana Pacers depth chart, schedule, and roster updates all in one place.

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Edited by Simoun Victor Redoblado
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