Cleveland Cavaliers: 15 best forwards of all-time
. PF. (1988-94). Larry Nance. 2. player. 156
Before Larry Nance Jr., there was his 6-foot-10 father Larry Nance. Ironically, the younger Nance just signed a contract extension with the Cleveland franchise after being traded to them last season. The elder Nance carried his weight as an All-Star and defensive stopper for the Cavaliers during his tenure with the franchise.
Nance joined the squad after being traded from the Phoenix Suns during the 1987-88 campaign. He won the first ever NBA Dunk Contest with the Suns during the 1983-84 season.
With Cleveland, he was an instant impact player on both ends of the floor. He produced 17.5 points, 8.6 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 2.2 blocks and 1.2 steals per contest in seven seasons with the Cavaliers.
Two of his three All-Star appearances (1989 and 1993) came with the Cavaliers. He was named to three All-Defensive teams, during the 1988-89 season and in back-to-back seasons in 1991-92 and in 1992-93.
On Sept. 22, 1994, Nance retired from professional basketball as a member of the Cavaliers. That wasn’t the end though, as his number was eventually retired. His No. 22 jersey is one of seven numbers retired for the Cleveland Cavaliers, although he recently gave his son the nod to wear his number.
While he wasn’t a sharpshooter from 3-point range like so many other forwards in the league these days, Nance was efficient anywhere within field goal range. He shot 53.2 percent from field goal range during his career and ranks third all-time in franchise history in blocks (1,087), eighth in rebounds (3,561) and ninth in both points (7,527) and field goals made (2,945).