The Indiana Pacers and Miami Heat face off again for the second straight year in the Eastern Conference Finals. As No. 1 and 2 seeds, things look to get even more feisty than last year, especially with Lance Stephenson having a much larger role with the Pacers this season. Stephenson already started things off before Game 1 when he commented on Dwyane Wade's knees.
"I think his knee is messed up, so I've got to be extra aggressive," Stephenson said, via The Palm Beach Post.
Stephenson says he looks to make D-Wade run so he can make his knee "flare up or something."
"I'll do anything as much as possible," he adds.
Wade is in the late stages of his NBA career, and he has definitely shown signs of wear, tear and fatigue since last season. He missed 28 games this season due to several different injuries. This was also shown in the playoffs dating back to last year, where he would several off games and then some games where he shows signs of his old self.
Wade and Stephenson in particular don't necessarily have the best relationship either. You can look back to when these two faced off on March 26, where Stephenson started trash talking Wade. However, he got ejected as Wade just watched and smiled as it occurred.
"You gotta ask him ... I just smiled," Wade said of the interaction Friday, smiling.
Despite the fire between the two, Stephenson claims he doesn't have anything personal against the Heat veteran.
"It's just basketball. If I see D-Wade walking in the street, I won't try to get him. It's just basketball and just playing hard against each other. We both have a goal ... I don't got no problems with them, but on the court there's no friends."
This series is going to be good.
