Lance Stephenson raps in song about being excited to be in Los Angeles

New Clippers shooting guard Lance Stephenson released a rap song last week about how he started at the bottom, values his family over everything and is devoted to basketball.

“I’m just tryna be the best baller I can be,� Stephenson raps in a song called “Check.� “Rapping is a hobby, I just go when I’m free. Two-a-days in the gym, seven days a week. Boy, the grind will never stop cause the family gotta eat.�

Stephenson was traded from the Charlotte Hornets to the Clippers in June in exchange for Matt Barnes and Spencer Hawes.

With the Hornets last season, he averaged 8.2 points on 32.5% shooting, 4.5 rebounds and 3.9 assists in 25.8 minutes per game with the Hornets. He also shot a woeful 17.1% from beyond the three-point line.

Before playing with the Hornets, he helped the Indiana Pacers advance to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2014 by averaging 13.8 points, 7.2 rebounds and 4.6 assists, while shooting 35% from beyond the three-point line.

At a news conference in June, Stephenson said he could hardly contain his excitement when he found out he was going to play in Los Angeles.

“I started yelling, “Yeah, I’m happy!� Stephenson said. “I’m just ready for a great season.�

Stephenson mentioned in ‘Check’ that he’s trying to sharpen his skills over the summer in anticipation for his first season with his new team.

“Bumpin’ in my Audi, now I’m out here in the West,� Stephenson raps. “Every day I’m working, I’m just tryna be the best.�

In the song, he also mentions that he’s not who people think he is, perhaps a reference to the rumor that he’s a bad locker room guy.

“All of the haters, I don’t pay attention,� Stephenson says. “Player listen. I’m trying to tell you I’m different. I’m on a mission.�

In June, Stephenson made a point of telling reporters that he’s a great teammate.

“First of all, I’m going to work hard on getting them rumors out because that’s not the issue,� Stephenson said. “I’ve been good in the locker room. You can ask all the players I’ve played with, you can ask the coaches. I’m very good in the locker room.

“When I’m in the court, I’ve got that type of energy where it looks like I’m yelling at somebody, but I feel like when I talk to my teammates, it amps them and makes them work harder. So I want to take that title off my name because that’s not me; I’m a good locker room guy.�