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CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Lance Stephenson doesnt want to be known as the guy who blew in LeBron James ear. Stephenson said during his introductory news conference Friday in Charlotte hes "a little upset" that the ear-blowing incident in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals against Miami is how some people have defined him as a player. "I feel like it overshadowed my play on the court," Stephenson said. "I bring more to the table than just blowing in someones ear. Im a great player." Hornets general manager Rich Cho agrees, which is why the club signed Stephenson to a three-year, $27 million contract Friday. The deal includes a team option for the third season. Cho says the 23-year-old Stephenson brings competitiveness, scoring ability, a defensive presence and a wealth of playoff experience — all things the Hornets need to take the next step and become a perennial playoff contender. "I think hell be a great fit," Cho said. The Hornets, who ranked near the bottom of the NBA in 3-point field goal percentage last season, expect Stephenson will help them in that area. Stephenson shot 35 per cent from beyond the arc last season. He also proved versatile in other ways. He led the NBA with five triple-doubles and posted career highs in points (13.6), rebounds (6.9) and assists (4.2). But Stephensons intense competitiveness also has a dark side. He was called for 17 technical fouls last season — third-most in the NBA — and was also involved in a practice scuffle with teammate Evan Turner. Hes been known to talk trash, occasionally taking himself out of the game and hurting his team. Hornets coach Steve Clifford is well aware of that, but after doing some background checks — even going back to talk to his high school coaches — he felt good about bringing Stephenson into a locker room that boasted great chemistry last season. "Whats the old saying? Your greatest strength is also your greatest weakness," Clifford said. "I think those things are a byproduct of the fact that he badly wants to win. To be honest, that is one of the things we all liked about him so much." Clifford said Hornets owner Michael Jordan addressed those issues with Stephenson in a meeting Tuesday night in Las Vegas. "He talked to him about what we can work on — and (Stephenson) knows that," Clifford said. "Lance knows that sometimes he has crossed the line a little bit. But I think he does it out of competitiveness." Stephenson acknowledged he has to mature as a player. But he said after talking to Jordan he knew he wanted to join the Hornets. "He loves my game and what I bring to the table," said Stephenson, who turned down a five-year, $45 million deal to stay in Indiana. "He loves that Im a great passer and I play with my teammates, and he loves the competitive edge that I have." As for the ear-blowing incident, Stephenson stopped short of saying he regretted his actions but explained his intentions. "During the series I was trying to play hard against LeBron and help my team win," Stephenson said. "Im very competitive and I know some of the antics were over the border — but I was just trying to do whatever it takes to win." Stephenson said that off the court, hes funny and likes to fool around with teammates and friends. On the court, hes as intense as they come and says "I have no friends" on the opposing team. For the Hornets, landing Stephenson is a sign the organization is headed in the right direction. This marks the second straight year theyve landed a big-name free agent after agreeing to a three-year, $41 million deal with centre Al Jefferson last summer. "It shows this is a great free agent destination," Cho said. . If there is one club built to handle an off-field controversy, its the Bill Belichick era Patriots. Even if New Englands offence stumbles a bit out of the gate, their defence can help them stay in games, especially in the AFC East with the Buffalo Bills and New York Jets in the first two weeks. . -- Matt Rupert scored once in regulation and again in the shootout as the London Knights extended their win streak to nine games by defeating the Owen Sound Attack 4-3 on Friday in Ontario Hockey League action. http://www.shoptheofficialbuccaneers.co ... rs-Jersey/. Pistorius denied the allegation that he said to the close friend of the girlfriend he killed: "How can you sleep at night?" The accusation by Kim Myers provided a bizarre twist during the trial of the world-famous double-amputee Olympian, who is facing 25 years to life in prison if convicted of premeditated murder for shooting dead Steenkamp, a 29-year-old model, at his home last year. . -- During Kansas shootaround on Wednesday before the Jayhawks faced Oklahoma, coach Bill Self told Wayne Selden Jr. .com) - Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh called Joe Flacco the NFLs best quarterback last week.Kenny Dalglish says Scotland should not put extra pressure on themselves ahead of their clash with Lithuania and does not think it is a must-win match. Gordon Strachans side go into their first Hampden World Cup qualifier on the back of a 5-1 away win against Malta, while Lithuania were held to a draw by Slovenia.Scotland cannot afford many slip-ups if they are to win a group containing England and second seeds Slovakia but Dalglish feels Strachan was right to dismiss suggestions they had to beat Saturdays visitors. Kenny Dalglish says the Lithuania match is not must-win for Scotland If we get a good result on Saturday it sets us on our way, Dalglish said. People are saying its a must-win, [but] its two games into the qualifying section. Watch NOW TV Watch Sky Sports for just £6.99. No contract. Its important that you win, its important you get as many points as you possibly can early doors, but I wouldnt say its that desperate at the moment. If you go into the game and everybody is together, you are 100 per cent committed, you have a much better chance of being successful. Michael O’Neill & Neil McCann join David Tanner to preview the upcoming World Cup qualifiers for Scotland and Northern Ireland He added: I dont see why we should be putting ourselves under pressure.dddddddddddd Lithuania have had a home game and come away with one point. So they are a wee bit under duress as well, arent they? They will have expectations.They have been here a couple of times in recent years and always appear to be big, strong and quite well organised, maybe a little bit more defensive than what you would like. Its going to be a difficult game to break them down but just be patient, and if we get a fluke, if we get an own goal that gets us through 1-0, fine, well have it.Dalglish is confident Scotland can build on the positives of their ultimately disappointing Euro 2016 qualifying push and says Strachan is the man to lead the national team forward. Scotlands Chris Martin scores his sides second goal against Malta Continuity always helps if the guy in charge is the right guy, and wee Gordon is the right guy, the 65-year-old said.When you consider where we were when he came in and just missing out on qualification last year. Nobody wants to miss out on qualification but thats a lot closer than what we have been getting. Gordon Strachans Scotland side take on Lithuania at Hampden Hes the right person and he can be proud of the advancements made in the Scotland squad since hes been in charge.Watch Scotland v Lithuania, live on Sky Sports 2 HD, on Saturday, October 8 from 7pm. Also See: Scots Women forfeit qualifier Wallace back in Scotland squad Gemmill: Burke the benchmark Live on Sky ' ' '