Cleveland Cavaliers: 3 ways Larry Nance Jr. is impacting the team
By Tony Pesta
3. Rim protection
The Cleveland Cavaliers have been desperate to find someone that can protect the rim. It has been too easy for opposing teams to drive into the paint and score. The Cavaliers rank dead last in blocks per game with an average of just 2.4 blocks a night.
On the season, the Cavs have totaled just 80 blocks. Meanwhile, Myles Turner of the Indiana Pacers has already racked up 83 blocks of his own, while appearing in two fewer games than the Cavaliers. Clearly, someone on this team needs to start blocking shots.
Larry Nance Jr. averages just 0.5 blocks a game for his career. However, in the last five games, Nance is averaging 1.2 blocks, and had one game in which he blocked three shots. Nance has done a great job of defending the rim with his huge length and jumping ability. He appears to be more engaged on defense than ever before.
Nance is showing real improvement as a defender this season, which is something that should be getting every Cavs fan excited. He certainly has a long way to go before being an elite shot-blocker, but it seems as if he is on the right path.