3 Cavs players that have exceeded expectations in 2019-20
By Dan Gilinsky
#2: Larry Nance Jr.
Another player that has clearly exceeded expectations and has done so in the second-biggest way, if you will, is Nance.
Thus far this season, he’s put up what is currently on track to be a career-best with 10.1 points per game, and he’s continued on in his upward trajectory as a three-point shooter. Jr. has hit 35.2 percent of his 2.8 triple attempts, which are going to be career-highs, too.
In addition, him displaying an improved post game and showcasing the capability to play the 3 in certain matchups for Bickerstaff and the Cleveland Cavaliers has been especially encouraging in regards to Nance.
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Along with that, Nance has again been a good screener/hand-off player, and he’s been a rock-solid rebounder on both ends of the floor, as shown by him putting up 7.3 boards per contest.
He also displayed his feel as a passing big, and much more so in recent months leading into the hiatus, as evidenced by him averaging 2.5 assists per outing in February and 3.2 helpers per game post-All-Star, as indicated by NBA.com.
Plus, Nance has consistently been one of the Cavs’ best defenders, and arguably their best team defensive contributor. That was even more so the case post-All-Star, too, as he put up 1.6 steals per outing in that stretch.
Going forward, while Nance I’d hope can stay healthy (he’s not appeared in over 67 games in his near-five-year career), I’d expect that he’ll continue to have a key role for the Cavs, as he keeps getting better.