LeBron James is Akron’s most famous son, so perhaps Cleveland Cavaliers fans could be forgiven at times when they forget that the four-time league MVP is not the only Akron-born star on the Cavs’ lineup. Like James, the high-leaping Larry Nance Jr. is also from Akron, a fact that LeBron James thinks is key to their great on-court chemistry with each other, per Spencer Davies of USA TODAY Sports.
“We’re from Akron,” James said with a grin at shootaround Monday.
The two’s smooth rapport was on display back in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals when Nance played 21 minutes and shot 4-for-4 from the field for eight points to help lift Cleveland to a 116-86 win. Three of Nance’s four baskets in that contests were off of James’ dishes. The four-time MVP, meanwhile, had 27 points on 8-for-12 shooting with three 3-pointers, 12 assists, and five rebounds in 38 minutes on that contest.
Although Nance is not playing in a lot of minutes in the playoffs, the Cavs are generating 23.8 points per game when he’s on the floor together with James.
Nance went to Cleveland last February when the Los Angeles Lakers traded him to the Cavs along with Jordan Clarkson for Isaiah Thomas, Channing Frye, and a future draft pick.
