Clippers-Hornets in Shanghai: 5 key things to look out for

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Oct 4, 2015; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Los Angeles Clippers guard Lance Stephenson (1) reaches for the ball in front of Toronto Raptors forward Bruno Caboclo (20) during the second quarter at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports

Can Lance Stephenson improve his decision making?

Lance Stephenson has joined the Clippers with the mindset to immediately start proving himself. He knows how bad his season was with the Hornets and he’s ready to show why he’s called “Born Ready”. He simply needs to return to his Indiana Pacers form from 2013 if he has any chance of turning the Clippers’ bench into one that’s worthy of a championship.

It sounds like a tall order, but as the key player in the second unit backcourt, that’s the simple truth of what he needs to do.

Of course, he isn’t alone in the new backup unit. With former Sixth Man of the Year Jamal Crawford, Austin Rivers, Josh Smith, Cole Aldrich and Paul Pierce, there’s an awful lot of talent to support the Clippers’ elite starting five. Yet, after three preseason games so far, Stephenson has struggled along with the rest of the new bench. Specifically, in terms of his decision making.

Not just decision making in regards to his passing and off-ball movement, but also his persistence to shoot low efficiency shots at poor moments.

During his first three preseason games with the Clippers, Stephenson has shot a mere 22.7 percent from the floor and just 16.7 from three point range. From his strange desire to shoot long twos, take jumpers just a few seconds into the shot clock without passing, and dribbling too much to try and create a shot, Stephenson’s choices haven’t normally been effective.

With Chris Paul set to return against the Hornets Wednesday, maybe Stephenson can find more success if he’s used in lineups alongside the Clippers’ All-Star floor general. However, while Lance is responsible for running a lot of the second unit offense, his questionable decision making and shot selection is something to pay close attention to. Hopefully for L.A., it will improve as he grows more comfortable in his new offense.

Next: Pablo Prigioni: The perfect backup point guard