The Cleveland Cavaliers opened their season at Madison Square Garden with a perfect lob from guard Lonzo ball to big man Larry Nance Jr. Nance’s alley-oop from Ball was eight years ago today. This one was played at Staples Center, which was the name of the arena back then. Ball was just a rookie. He had been drafted no. 2 by the Los Angeles Lakers and dubbed, at 19, the “new face of the franchise” by then–team president Magic Johnson. Nance was still in his third season with the Lakers and trying to establish himself, not knowing that they would trade him months later. Ball said it is a great blessing to be reunited. Ball admitted that Nance doesn’t quite have the same energy as he used to in L.A. – the 2017 version might have been able to finish that opening night alley-oop with more force, Ball said – but, following knee injuries that forced Ball to miss over two seasons, and require him a meniscus-and-cartilage-transplant, neither does he. Cleveland’s new additions to the roster, Nance and Ball, both veterans, have settled in quickly. Nance is an Akron-native on his second stint, which has made it easier for Ball. Ball, who made headlines on media day when he said, “I keep joking with the guys, I didn’t even know Cleveland had water” (which he repeated to the team), is counting on the two veterans to help their second unit take the next steps. The Cavs are 3-1 going into Wednesday’s match against the Boston Celtics.Ball said, “It feels like a complete circle.” “He has seen me as I got my feet wet, when I came into the league. It’s a completely different experience to be able connect with him eight years later. But we are both here for the exact same reason.
Ball and Nance used to be Lakers teammates.
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Koby Altman, Cavaliers’ president, concluded at the end of 2024-25 that the team needed to improve in the margins. He said they had great talent but needed to be more mentally tough. They didn’t seem like the team that won 64 games in the regular season when they faced the Indiana Pacers. It was partly due to several injuries occurring at once, but that wasn’t all. Indiana wore the Cavs out by slowing down their ball movements, limiting them and restricting their speed. In the final moments of Game 2, Cleveland struggled to inbound the ball, bring it up and defend it against the Pacers full-court press. It also gave away two offensive rebounds due to missed free throws. Altman said to reporters in May that the Pacers made the winning plays in the end. The front office did not move any starters during the summer. Ball and wing Isaac Okoro were traded for the Chicago Bulls. That was the closest thing to a big-time trade. Nance signed a free-agent contract with a minimum salary. Ball and Nance are both known for making winning plays. Ball may not score as many points per game as Ty Jerome did (who signed to Memphis last year as a free-agent), but he will still guard multiple positions while pushing the pace, and creating easy looks. Nance can also switch and is at ease rolling, spacing, and operating from the dunker position. Ball is more adept at offensive rebounding than most guards. Nance can make more plays off the dribble than most bigs when he gets the ball at an advantage.
Nance stated, “We have guys who can score 30 in a single night.” “Let them just be themselves.” I thought it was fantastic that we brought guys in Zo and me who want to help the players be themselves and do everything else to support this. I believe we do a great job of highlighting what our best players are doing well.Ball is one of the NBA’s best passers ever since he was a Lakers player. Nance told us that he not only loves to play with Ball, “but everyone in the NBA would.” It is true that there will be a period of adjustment. He’s a daring passer. Unafraid of a one-handed full-court outlet, he zips a bounce-pass through traffic. Nance stated that “he sees you open almost before you even do.” Ball, while Evan Mobley was setting a screen in front of him on the right-hand side of the floor for the Knicks game, swung the basketball to Dean Wade who was on opposite wing. It was not a particularly flashy pass but Wade did not anticipate it, and the ball went beyond bounds.Wade stated, “I turned to see who is in my corner. I then turned back to find the ball right there. “So, definitely count this turnover as mine and not his.” It is important to keep your eyes on the ball. You have to know the exact spacing of the floor because he will just throw it. He’ll open you if the spacing is correct.”
Ball is not of the opinion that Wade’s turnover should have been assessed, but he has become accustomed to the odd mistake. Ball stated that he only throws passes if he feels they can be received. “Not everybody is going to see it the same way I do, but that’s what I think.” Sometimes it is a turnover but I think it’s usually the right play. I accept the results.” Ball’s ambitious effort to score two points was a failure in the preseason matchup against the Detroit Pistons. Last Friday, after the Brooklyn Nets scored at Barclays Center, Ball set up Mobley for a layup with 22 seconds remaining on the shot clock. TyreseProctor, the Cavs’ rookie Tyrese, observed Ball with great attention during training. Proctor noted that he was impressed by how quickly Ball’s eyes moved up the court after he received the ball. Cleaning The Glass reports that Cleveland, while a highly efficient team for transitions in 2024-25 was only ranked 22nd overall in terms of transition frequency. Wade explained that when he enters the game and checks, “he changes the game’s tempo completely.” Donovan Mitchell stated that Ball’s presence will give them a “different dynamic” and make them more unpredictable.”Nance’s less likely to make you appear on SportsCenter with a pass, but she is a beloved and loyal teammate.” Ball said that he just wanted to help his team and didn’t mind if he scored or not. “Really just, whatever the coaching wants him to, he is there to do. And we appreciate him for it.” Nance is a big man that can also function as a connector. He was a natural choice for a team who’s offense relies on movement, timing cuts, and most importantly, quick readings. Nance slammed a dunk against the Nets after grabbing a rebound. He brought the ball to his chest, then slid into the handoff and rolled out into the open space.
Wade described him as “amazing” in his role as a backup center. The way he played fits us perfectly.Nance was a Cavs supporter long before he played for the team. His father’s shirt is hanging in the rafters. He never stopped supporting them, even after he turned pro. When he was watching them against the Pacers, and in previous years’ playoffs, he couldn’t help but wonder how he could assist. If they were to get another big man, they would surely look for someone with the ability to move on the perimeter while knocking down open threes.Wade said, “He’s got great feet and great hands.” “He can protect everyone.” He’s strong, he’s athletic. Good rim protector, great rebounder. He gives our guards plenty of room to attack. He’s physically strong and can rebound. “He helps us a lot.”
Nance, a fan of the Barclays Center team, approached his locker before the game and heard Proctor praising Nance’s vocal leadership. He said, “I’ll be out of this place.” Proctor asked him as he left how many years he had been in the league. The 11-year veteran exaggerated, saying “Seventeen.” He may have been feeling old because earlier in the day, Jaylon Tyson, a second-year wing, had shown a special kind of admiration.Tyson stated, “He’s an awesome dude. He’s a leader, basketball player, and great all-around dude. And I told him that I had a profound new respect for those who have played in this league for a long period of time, because this league is a beast.” “I just told he I respect him because of that, and for who he is both as a human being and as a basketballer.”The Cavaliers are still learning how to utilize their new pieces. Kenny Atkinson stated that “there is a lot to discover about this team.” The staff will be observing how Nance, Ball and Jarrett Allen play with Mobley as opposed to Jarrett Allen. It is considering whether to play Nance as the five and who will initiate the offense when Ball is with second-year Craig Porter Jr. Garland, Max Strus and De’Andre Hunter have not played yet. Ball has also missed the win against Detroit on Monday due to injury management. Nance said, “I think versatility is the most important word.” It is a huge luxury to be able bring Ball, Nance, and Wade off the bench (and Hunter if Strus regains his starting position).
Wade, who’s been playing in Cleveland since 2019 said that this is the most talented team he has ever played with. Mobley added, “When everybody gets back, it will be frightening.”Nance, looking back on his time spent with Ball in Los Angeles ten years ago, laughed. He said: “It’s insane.” Ball and he were also unselfish players with high intelligence back then. Ball shot jumpers with his left hand, but Nance had only attempted four 3-pointers in 42 Lakers’ games. Ball, who was turning 28 days old three days prior to his Barclays Center halftime, told his new teammates to not be comfortable with their current lead and to push it further in the third period.
Nance, 32, said: “You can clearly see the growth and maturity of the players and the people.” “In LA, I was still trying to get my bearings. Now, I know myself and am very comfortable. Zo is very comfortable with who he really is. We are both excellent in our roles. It’s cool to see us both with a new level of confidence.There is a new sense of clarity in the Cavs organization that wasn’t there the last time they were teammates. Nance stated that they may not be able to predict the exact playoff lineup, but “nobody is fighting for position over who’s who, who’s what, or who’s who,” he said. It’s clear what their goal is. Ball stated that “it’s now black and white.” “The Cleveland Cavaliers want to win a ring. Everyone knows this. “They’re working to add some things to get this goal accomplished, and that’s the reason we’re here.”
2025-10-29 14:51:22
