Previewing the Cavs’ core, player by player

Larry Nance Jr.

If there is any player that is capable of surprising the masses this year, it’s Larry Nance Jr. He has flown well under the radar in recent years but is on the verge of becoming a major impact player for the Cleveland Cavaliers.

It seems Nance is finally looking to take advantage of his supreme athleticism to accomplish more than the occasional highlight dunk. Nance has set some serious goals this season, one of which is to lead the league in steals.

This may sound like a wild challenge, but it’s a feasible task for Nance. His gigantic wingspan and explosive feet help him jump into the passing lanes to break up plays. Last season, Nance had a 13-game stretch in which he averaged 2.4 steals per game and finished in the top 20 for total steals despite missing 15 games.

Nance has his eyes set on offense as well. He will attempt to build on a solid season of shooting, taking his range all the way to the 3-point line. He drilled nearly 35 percent of his attempts towards the end of last season and will hopefully continue his growth this year.

If he reaches his full potential, Nance can convert into a two-way threat for the Cavaliers. Assuming that Kevin Love will either be traded or suffer an injury at some point in the season, we can rely on Nance to fill in this void nicely.

Nance is capable of being a force on the glass and is an above-average facilitator for his position. Expect Nance to make quick decisions with the ball in his hands as the Cavaliers have shown a willingness to let him operate at the top of the key.