Larry Nance - The High-Ayatolla of Slamola

Larry Donnell Nance (born February 12, 1959 in Anderson, South Carolina) is a retired American professional basketball player. A 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) power forward/center from Clemson University, Nance played thirteen seasons (1981--1994) in the NBA as a member of the Phoenix Suns and Cleveland Cavaliers.

Nance scored 15,687 career points and grabbed 7,352 career rebounds, but he is perhaps best known as the first winner of the NBA Slam Dunk Contest in 1984.

Nance was a model of consistency throughout his NBA career. He averaged over 16 points and 8 rebounds per game for all eleven seasons as a starter. His best scoring average year was in the 1986--1987 NBA season, where he averaged 22.5 points per game. Always among the highest in field goal percentage, Nance was an excellent mid-range shooter as well as a talented inside player.

Larry Nance was a 3-time NBA All-Star 1985, 1989, and 1993, and the NBA All-Defensive Team First Team member in 1989, and the Second Team Member in 1992 and 1993. He was also consistently one of the league's better shot blockers, averaging 2.2 blocks per game during his career. Upon his retirement, he held the league record for most blocked shots by any player other than a center.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• basketball

[bournedevinesupreme]

Is that his actual nickname? If so...AWESOME.

[VeoShock]

Yea, that is his nickname.

[nyelement007]

could he touch the top of the backboard?

i want to see prove of some players doing this any got a picture or video please send it to me.thanks

[buccy64]

One of my favorite players when i was a kid. Know y'all see where Jordan got his dunks, swagger jacker

[Zetsuie7]

wat was the song used in this?

[JOEFIXIT79]

@nomorephones

Very true!!

I used to pause his dunks in mid air all the time as a kid.

The one over Jabar was insane lol!

[tecmo1]

I cant believe im related to this guy! omg!

[PJHunterTJ]

@nomorephones Yeah I bet he could get close whether it be off one leg or two.

I'm sure David Robinson could get close to touching the top of the backboard aswell as MJ and Pippen. Olajuwon could get up aswell.

AS for Nance, he is an under-rated player. You don't see many guys do the things he was doing on the court anymore. You just don't see Forwards like him anymore. He has to rank amoung All Times for the Forwards.

[nomorephones]

if there is anyone in this world that could have touched the top of the backboard it must be larry nance, even today you don't see people jump like that.

[lmorganjr]

@uberathlete - Damn, great point!

[lmorganjr]

Does the city of Cleveland remember Mark Price, Brad Daugherty, Larry Nance, and Craig Ehlo?

At one point in time (for those of the few basketball fans), the Cleveland Cavaliers had 3 (or maybe 4) players on the Eastern Conference All-Star Team, in which a couple of those players could be future Hall of Fame(rs).