How LeBron James and Lance Stephenson formed one of the oddest and most entertaining rivalries in the NBA

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The LeBron James-Lance Stephenson rivalry is among the NBA's strangest and most entertaining.

With the Cleveland Cavaliers and Indiana Pacers' first-round series tied, 2-2, James and Stephenson, old rivals dating back to 2012, have been going at it.

The rivalry is almost entirely one-sided, with James' teams beating Stephenson's at every turn. But Stephenson, a career journeyman who has only ever played well for the Pacers, is one of the few players who seems to revel in taunting James.

From face-tapping to trash-talking to, of course, ear-blowing, here's the history of one of the most bizarre rivalries in the NBA.

LeBron James' rivalry with Lance Stephenson dates back to 2012, when the Miami Heat and Indiana Pacers met in the playoffs.

The Cavs were one of the top teams in the East while the Pacers were a scrappy, defensive, upstart team. While Indiana could throw several good defenders at James, Stephenson earned the role as instigator.

It began when early in the series, James was shooting technical free throws, which he missed, prompting Stephenson to make a "choking" gesture at James.

Stephenson actually apologized for the incident, and James tried to downplay any talk of his back-and-forth with Stephenson, saying: "Lance Stephenson? You want a quote about Lance Stephenson? I'm not even going to give him the time. Knock it off."

The Heat-Pacers rivalry only heated things up over time, as for three years, Stephenson made it his mission to annoy James.

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