DeShawn Stevenson isn’t known for much in the NBA. Educated basketball fans know him as an above average defender with the ability to knock down a three. Casual basketball fans may have seen him in a Dallas Mavericks jersey while watching Miami’s “Big 3” try to win their first NBA championship in 2011. No matter what DeShawn Stevenson may or may not be known for many basketball fans associated him with one thing—hating LeBron James.
Therefore, his recent Twitter posts might seem a bit peculiar.
Yup, Stevenson wants to play with LeBron James.
For those of you who are not aware why this is strange, here is the back story according to NBA.com.
After the Dallas Mavericks won the NBA finals in 2011, (a team of which Stevenson was a member) many fans and analysts began to call the California-native “The LeBron Stopper” for the defense he played on the 4-time MVP at times during the Finals.
Stevenson, who apparently enjoyed the nickname, later wore a t-shirt with this logo.
The feud between James and Stevenson dates back to James’ days with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Stevenson was a Washington Wizard at the time.
At one point Stevenson called James overrated—to which James said responding to the former Maverick would be the equivalent of Jay-Z responding to smack talk from Soulja Boy.
(Stevenson would later invite Soulja Boy to Game 3 of the Wizards playoff series against the Cavaliers. Jay-Z responded by writing a song that included a few disses to Stevenson. The multiplatinum artist had the song played in a popular Washington D.C. nightclub.)
The Heat may have a slight need for Stevenson but not a glaring one. Barring any injuries this season the Heat’s backcourt rotation will already include, Mario Chalmers, Norris Cole, Dwyane Wade and Ray Allen. Even if he were to play small forward, that position is already occupied by Shane Battier and James.
Stevenson may be able to take the place of recently departed Mike Miller. However, the addition of Greg Oden wouldn’t provide much playing time. If Oden is healthy and productive, Bosh would likely spend more time in his natural position—power forward—and LeBron would spend more time at small forward. This puts Udonis Haslem back on the bench and Haslem would most likely get more playing time than Stevenson. If Dwyane Wade is hurt, that may also provide some room for Stevenson. However, he may still have to wait behind Ray Allen and Shane Battier.
Stevenson was recently released by the Atlanta Hawks. He averaged 5.1 point per game and shot 36 percent from behind the arc with the Hawks during the 2012-2013 regular season.
