Goodbye Larry Nance Jr.

[Randolphkeys]

I read some Lakers boards, and I dunno if they realize how hard it is to draft late, but because he and Clarkson were late picks, they value them that way.

They liked Nance, but they assume they are getting a stud with the Cavs pick. Maybe the front office there thinks the same. It is a deep draft. I imagine they have someone in mind. Maybe they will do it.

It sounds to me like Lakers fans want to buy into optimism for a reboot, and they haven't had enough success with what they tried before. Clarkson and Nance are solid role players. Clarkson had been badly overpaid and Nance was looking at a contract negotiation coming up. Neither player was selected on Magic's watch.

Was this really about the pick? Probably not. While the draft coming up is stacked in the lottery, Cavatt nails the reality of picking in the bottom third of the first round. Even if there is a player targeted for the late first, it only takes one team to also like that player after the top prospects are off the board. However, the Lakers can be sure they are erasing committed salary now and in the future. That's what this is really about and it's what Magic always planned: Find stars who are willing to leave other franchises. Everyone else should be cheap and young.

 

[Midwestcav]

I am n

Who cares if Nance is starting if he's getting 30 mpg and in the closing lineup?
He has been injury prone and you can't run him like Lebron out there.

I am not sure why everyone thinks LNJ is injury prone. He missed some games this year and last from hand issues. It happened while diving for loose balls. His 1st year in the league he had a knee issue. It was a carryover from his Jr. year in college when he tore his knee completely up. He came back for his senior year in about 7 months from major knee surgery. When he hurt his his hand this year he came back 3 weeks early. Larry is not the type to nurse his injuries.

He is a total team player and didn't fit in with the Lakers because he wasn't a shoot first player. Walton and Magic both asked Nance to start shooting more. It is not that he can't shoot 18 foot shots all day and make them, he is looking for the best option. If you watch him with the Lakers running the fast break or pick and roll, they would hog the ball and get their points instead of giving it to their best finisher. At the start of the season Magic said that Nance was one of three players that were not up for trade. He said Larry was their secret weapon. Nance was the starter for the Lakers at the 4 when the season started. When he got back from injury he was starting games again. Then Julius Randle started pouting and half assing it so Walton had Nance come off the bench. Nance lost some confidence over that and shot less than before. The Lakers had a logjam at the 4 and 5, so everyones minutes got cut . When the Lakers started winning again the last 15 games before the trade, Nance was playing most of the 4th quarter finishing out games.
I feel Nance could be a star in the NBA, more of an Al Horford type than a LeBron type. Nance just doesn't have that selfish type of game where he would put himself before others. Not saying LeBron does that as his assists show otherwise. Nance just wants to win, he doesn't have to be a focal point. He is going to be a great teammate on this Cav' team. At the dunk contest the announcers were saying he could have scored higher with his dunks if he would have been animated or a showboat. That is just not in his blood. What he did show was forced and unnatural. I have always hated the Lakers but followed them since they drafted Nance. Their fans are pathetic and unrealistic. Since Nance has been traded to the Cavs I have been following your board. It is refreshing to read, your fan base seems to know basketball. I went to school at the University of Wyoming and have followed Nance since he was a freshman there. In my opinion he hasn't come close to his ceiling. He was a skinny runt when he got there and never got to redshirt. The Crohns played into that, but other than a bout with mono his senior year, he had no health problems. Last summer he dedicated to shooting beyond the arc, he only shot a few this year, not really sure why. I hope this staff realizes what the real potential there is in Nance, because there is a lot of upside. And for those of you who don't think he can hit regular jumpshots at a 50 % clip or better, I have seen it happening for 7 years. Sorry about the long post. Just wanted to let you guys know that you have a really good board going.

 

[Sir'Dom Pointer]

I am n

I am not sure why everyone thinks LNJ is injury prone. He missed some games this year and last from hand issues. It happened while diving for loose balls. His 1st year in the league he had a knee issue. It was a carryover from his Jr. year in college when he tore his knee completely up. He came back for his senior year in about 7 months from major knee surgery. When he hurt his his hand this year he came back 3 weeks early. Larry is not the type to nurse his injuries.

He is a total team player and didn't fit in with the Lakers because he wasn't a shoot first player. Walton and Magic both asked Nance to start shooting more. It is not that he can't shoot 18 foot shots all day and make them, he is looking for the best option. If you watch him with the Lakers running the fast break or pick and roll, they would hog the ball and get their points instead of giving it to their best finisher. At the start of the season Magic said that Nance was one of three players that were not up for trade. He said Larry was their secret weapon. Nance was the starter for the Lakers at the 4 when the season started. When he got back from injury he was starting games again. Then Julius Randle started pouting and half assing it so Walton had Nance come off the bench. Nance lost some confidence over that and shot less than before. The Lakers had a logjam at the 4 and 5, so everyones minutes got cut . When the Lakers started winning again the last 15 games before the trade, Nance was playing most of the 4th quarter finishing out games.
I feel Nance could be a star in the NBA, more of an Al Horford type than a LeBron type. Nance just doesn't have that selfish type of game where he would put himself before others. Not saying LeBron does that as his assists show otherwise. Nance just wants to win, he doesn't have to be a focal point. He is going to be a great teammate on this Cav' team. At the dunk contest the announcers were saying he could have scored higher with his dunks if he would have been animated or a showboat. That is just not in his blood. What he did show was forced and unnatural. I have always hated the Lakers but followed them since they drafted Nance. Their fans are pathetic and unrealistic. Since Nance has been traded to the Cavs I have been following your board. It is refreshing to read, your fan base seems to know basketball. I went to school at the University of Wyoming and have followed Nance since he was a freshman there. In my opinion he hasn't come close to his ceiling. He was a skinny runt when he got there and never got to redshirt. The Crohns played into that, but other than a bout with mono his senior year, he had no health problems. Last summer he dedicated to shooting beyond the arc, he only shot a few this year, not really sure why. I hope this staff realizes what the real potential there is in Nance, because there is a lot of upside. And for those of you who don't think he can hit regular jumpshots at a 50 % clip or better, I have seen it happening for 7 years. Sorry about the long post. Just wanted to let you guys know that you have a really good board going.

Didn't watch him Wyoming, was he more explosive before his knee injury? do you think it hampered his development?

He is still injury prone though... I mean some what. The fact that he doesn't nurse injuries or looks great after coming off injuries is a great sign, but he still gets injured more than the average player.

Having IBD like Crohn's disease also probably plays a factor here in his bone breaks as people with IBD have less than average bone density and are more prone to breaks and in the future even osteoporosis.

I agree with you that he has star potential.
No one thought Green had all-star quality. But his advanced numbers, playing on a system like the Warriors and the media and fans understanding the impact that he provides on that system elevated him into being perennial all-star.

I don't think Green would have been nearly as good on any other team. After watching Jordan Bell(who wasn't known as a passer in Oregon) rack up tons of assists and having even better advanced stats than Green on limited time, I believe Green's numbers and assists in particular are inflated on the Warriors.
Even his defensive impact is inflated on the Warriors as he is allowed to foul more than the average player without getting a penalty and therefore allow him him to be far more versatile on that end than he really is.

As for Nance, I view him as a similar player. I think he can really take off playing with Lebron... I think he will have all-star advanced stats and impact similar to Green and in time will be viewed as a legit all-star if he develops an in game range, becomes a starter and shows great playoffs contributions.

 

[Cavatt]

I am n

I am not sure why everyone thinks LNJ is injury prone. He missed some games this year and last from hand issues. It happened while diving for loose balls. His 1st year in the league he had a knee issue. It was a carryover from his Jr. year in college when he tore his knee completely up. He came back for his senior year in about 7 months from major knee surgery. When he hurt his his hand this year he came back 3 weeks early. Larry is not the type to nurse his injuries.

He is a total team player and didn't fit in with the Lakers because he wasn't a shoot first player. Walton and Magic both asked Nance to start shooting more. It is not that he can't shoot 18 foot shots all day and make them, he is looking for the best option. If you watch him with the Lakers running the fast break or pick and roll, they would hog the ball and get their points instead of giving it to their best finisher. At the start of the season Magic said that Nance was one of three players that were not up for trade. He said Larry was their secret weapon. Nance was the starter for the Lakers at the 4 when the season started. When he got back from injury he was starting games again. Then Julius Randle started pouting and half assing it so Walton had Nance come off the bench. Nance lost some confidence over that and shot less than before. The Lakers had a logjam at the 4 and 5, so everyones minutes got cut . When the Lakers started winning again the last 15 games before the trade, Nance was playing most of the 4th quarter finishing out games.
I feel Nance could be a star in the NBA, more of an Al Horford type than a LeBron type. Nance just doesn't have that selfish type of game where he would put himself before others. Not saying LeBron does that as his assists show otherwise. Nance just wants to win, he doesn't have to be a focal point. He is going to be a great teammate on this Cav' team. At the dunk contest the announcers were saying he could have scored higher with his dunks if he would have been animated or a showboat. That is just not in his blood. What he did show was forced and unnatural. I have always hated the Lakers but followed them since they drafted Nance. Their fans are pathetic and unrealistic. Since Nance has been traded to the Cavs I have been following your board. It is refreshing to read, your fan base seems to know basketball. I went to school at the University of Wyoming and have followed Nance since he was a freshman there. In my opinion he hasn't come close to his ceiling. He was a skinny runt when he got there and never got to redshirt. The Crohns played into that, but other than a bout with mono his senior year, he had no health problems. Last summer he dedicated to shooting beyond the arc, he only shot a few this year, not really sure why. I hope this staff realizes what the real potential there is in Nance, because there is a lot of upside. And for those of you who don't think he can hit regular jumpshots at a 50 % clip or better, I have seen it happening for 7 years. Sorry about the long post. Just wanted to let you guys know that you have a really good board going.

I think we are concerned with him starting full time at the 5 because Tristan Thompson was a guy who never missed a game,and starting at the 5 has worn him down. At this point we know TT is going to get minutes, so we figure he may as well continue to start as he is much more useful when Lebron is on the floor. I don't think anyone think Larry couldn't do a better job, just more that we don't want him to get worn down and we don't want TT to ruin the bench.

Great post though. I think a lot of us see Larry ending games and being in there for crucial possessions. He is going to fit really well with this team, and I don't think he has nearly hit his upside yet.

It also seems like Nance and Clarkson have such a good thing going, we shouldn't break it up. They have been destroying teams for us, so we like things as they are. We are well aware though that your best players don't always start and being a guy off the bench can be a way to both save his body, and get a change of pace when a difference maker like Nance comes in.

 

[Midwestcav]

I think we are concerned with him starting full time at the 5 because Tristan Thompson was a guy who never missed a game,and starting at the 5 has worn him down. At this point we know TT is going to get minutes, so we figure he may as well continue to start as he is much more useful when Lebron is on the floor. I don't think anyone think Larry couldn't do a better job, just more that we don't want him to get worn down and we don't want TT to ruin the bench.

Great post though. I think a lot of us see Larry ending games and being in there for crucial possessions. He is going to fit really well with this team, and I don't think he has nearly hit his upside yet.

It also seems like Nance and Clarkson have such a good thing going, we shouldn't break it up. They have been destroying teams for us, so we like things as they are. We are well aware though that your best players don't always start and being a guy off the bench can be a way to both save his body, and get a change of pace when a difference maker like Nance comes in.

I agree totally with your post. Nance has always said he doesn't care if he starts or not. I know the Lakers were better with him in the game. Clarkson was asked to shoot. The Lakers didn't have very many scoring options. I think Randle is a cancer, but I don't like people who aren't team players. Plus he plays a lot like Malone did, acting like a bull in a China shop. Walton might be OK down the road, but feel he listens to the players too much. He didn't start out that way. Nance played a lot of 4 because he and Lopez played together so well. Lopez looks goofy to watch, but he gets the job done. When Kuzma developed, it created a logjam at the 4, especially when Lopez was playing well. No one would give a 1 away for Randle, that is why he is still there. Getting rid of Nance did nothing for their cap space, I think it was mostly pride them not having a 1st round pick. I totally understand not starting Nance, even though he has been in that role before. 2nd teams are the strengths of teams these days, so I hope people don't get down on Nance for not shooting. He can shoot though, just doesn't much anymore. I hope LBJ gets Nance out of his shell.

 

[Midwestcav]

Didn't watch him Wyoming, was he more explosive before his knee injury? do you think it hampered his development?

He is still injury prone though... I mean some what. The fact that he doesn't nurse injuries or looks great after coming off injuries is a great sign, but he still gets injured more than the average player.

Having IBD like Crohn's disease also probably plays a factor here in his bone breaks as people with IBD have less than average bone density and are more prone to breaks and in the future even osteoporosis.

I agree with you that he has star potential.
No one thought Green had all-star quality. But his advanced numbers, playing on a system like the Warriors and the media and fans understanding the impact that he provides on that system elevated him into being perennial all-star.

I don't think Green would have been nearly as good on any other team. After watching Jordan Bell(who wasn't known as a passer in Oregon) rack up tons of assists and having even better advanced stats than Green on limited time, I believe Green's numbers and assists in particular are inflated on the Warriors.
Even his defensive impact is inflated on the Warriors as he is allowed to foul more than the average player without getting a penalty and therefore allow him him to be far more versatile on that end than he really is.

As for Nance, I view him as a similar player. I think he can really take off playing with Lebron... I think he will have all-star advanced stats and impact similar to Green and in time will be viewed as a legit all-star if he develops an in game range, becomes a starter and shows great playoffs contributions.

Nance was just coming into his own when his knee went out. So it did set him back in my opinion. Larry Shyatt was his coach at Wyoming. Shyatt ran a slow down offense where you shot the ball with 3 seconds left on the shot clock. They also played hard nosed defense under Shyatt. Shyatt was the assistant HC under Donovan at Florida when they won back to back titles. He is now at Dallas as the assistant coach. Wyoming has Allan Edwards as the HC now. He is taking advantage of the 7220 feet elevation in Laramie. But it is his 2nd year and he has to get recruits that can play the run and gun style. Nance is an all time favorite at Wyoming, he is so down to earth and likeable. We were lucky to get him. I love how positive this board is. You guys are great sources to get caught up on everything. I am a Boston fan from way back, but a bigger fan of where Nance plays.

 

[Midwestcav]

Didn't watch him Wyoming, was he more explosive before his knee injury? do you think it hampered his development?

He is still injury prone though... I mean some what. The fact that he doesn't nurse injuries or looks great after coming off injuries is a great sign, but he still gets injured more than the average player.

Having IBD like Crohn's disease also probably plays a factor here in his bone breaks as people with IBD have less than average bone density and are more prone to breaks and in the future even osteoporosis.

I agree with you that he has star potential.
No one thought Green had all-star quality. But his advanced numbers, playing on a system like the Warriors and the media and fans understanding the impact that he provides on that system elevated him into being perennial all-star.

I don't think Green would have been nearly as good on any other team. After watching Jordan Bell(who wasn't known as a passer in Oregon) rack up tons of assists and having even better advanced stats than Green on limited time, I believe Green's numbers and assists in particular are inflated on the Warriors.
Even his defensive impact is inflated on the Warriors as he is allowed to foul more than the average player without getting a penalty and therefore allow him him to be far more versatile on that end than he really is.

As for Nance, I view him as a similar player. I think he can really take off playing with Lebron... I think he will have all-star advanced stats and impact similar to Green and in time will be viewed as a legit all-star if he develops an in game range, becomes a starter and shows great playoffs contributions.

I forgot to say that Shyatt's offense hurt Larry as far as development because teams would double Nance so he couldn't get the ball as the clock ran down. We played in 53 to 51 point games all the time. We were usually in the top 5 nationally defensively. But it helped him play outstanding defense. Larry was built to run, but Shyatt didn't want to coach that way. We were known as Dunktown for a while. We had some very athe tickets kids.

 

[Sir'Dom Pointer]

I forgot to say that Shyatt's offense hurt Larry as far as development because teams would double Nance so he couldn't get the ball as the clock ran down. We played in 53 to 51 point games all the time. We were usually in the top 5 nationally defensively. But it helped him play outstanding defense. Larry was built to run, but Shyatt didn't want to coach that way. We were known as Dunktown for a while. We had some very athe tickets kids.

Thanks man for both replies.

You just didn't answer my question as far as him losing explosiveness and athleticism after the ACL injury? I'm just curious.

I really want him to be so great here. He needs to understand that he can be more than a good role player though.

 

[Heej]

Thanks man for both replies.

You just didn't answer my question as far as him losing explosiveness and athleticism after the ACL injury? I'm just curious.

I really want him to be so great here. He needs to understand that he can be more than a good role player though.

I can't answer for him regarding his athleticism but in the 2010s all an ACL injury means is that you lose 2 years of development but after that you're pretty much where you left off athleticism-wise. Except some people come back stronger because they're devoted to strengthening undeveloped supporting muscles during that time.

 

[Midwestcav]

Thanks man for both replies.

You just didn't answer my question as far as him losing explosiveness and athleticism after the ACL injury? I'm just curious.

I really want him to be so great here. He needs to understand that he can be more than a good role player though.

Sorry for not answering that question. Nance was still developing when it happened, so hard to say. I don't think he lost anything at this point. I think the Lakers trainers were better than Wyomings were and they got him completely back and then some. I know when the Lakers were bringing him in before the draft they had a hard time measuring his vertical. Something about his height and not having had anyone before him jump that high to be able to get the correct tests on him. Not sure exactly what the Lakers meant by that when they put the story out. They said he was close to knocking himself out by hitting his head on the rim. If the Lakers had not grabbed Nance I heard San Antonio wanted him and had brought him in for a few workouts. Nance would have been a good fit at San Antonio and their team mentality.

 

[Midwestcav]

I can't answer for him regarding his athleticism but in the 2010s all an ACL injury means is that you lose 2 years of development but after that you're pretty much where you left off athleticism-wise. Except some people come back stronger because they're devoted to strengthening undeveloped supporting muscles during that time.

Great post Heej.

 

[cavsfever]

People are saying it doesn't matter if Nance starts but I don't agree. Nance is so much better than TT that we really need him to relegate TT to a backup 15-20 MPG type of role. That's not going to happen if TT starts.

The best you can hope for if TT starts is that the two of them play roughly equal minutes. But that would be throwing away points. Even knocking off five or ten minutes from TT's game time and adding it to Nance is going to make an appreciable difference in our quality of play.

It's true that Nance played only in the low-20 minutes over his career for LA, so maybe he's not yet up to averaging 30 MPG. But if we can work him up to that we need to do it. There's almost nothing TT does that Nance doesn't do better, and a bunch of things that Nance does that TT can't. If we want to have any prayer of beating GS we need to maximize our talent.

 

[TheAdmin]

I've heard through the grapevine that Nance has been working on his 3-pt shot the past few seasons. I'm not sure if the Cavs will utilize that or not but it's in his arsenal.

 

[CTownSportsFan]

• Larry Nance practicing over the summer
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• https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.si...ats-las-vegas-summer-league-roast-ivica-zubac

 

[cavsfever]

weird to hear he intended to work on his three point shot this year, because if anything he actually regressed this year in that department. Last year he shot 10-36 from 3, all right that's a crappy percentage (28%), but at least he was trying occasionally. This year he is 1-5 from 3 in 44 games played, so he has basically entirely stopped trying the shot.

I hope he didn't actually try hard to improve from 3 this summer. In any case, while it would obviously be fantastic if he could shoot 3s at any rate that would make people guard him, I don't have high hopes.