CLEVELAND -- When Larry Nance Jr. was first announced as a participant in the 2018 NBA Slam Dunk Contest, Los Angeles Lakers fans' imaginations ran wild. Some even when as far as to campaign for Lakers legend Magic Johnson to lob the high-flying forward a pass in the exhibition.
But when Nance Jr. was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers, that excitement transferred from the West Coast to Northeast Ohio. After all, Cleveland is no stranger to seeing someone named Nance rock the rim.
When it comes to the NBA Slam Dunk Contest, the new Cavs forward has the competition in his blood -- literally. His father, Larry Nance Sr., won the NBA's first-ever official dunk contest in 1984 as a member of the Phoenix Suns.
Four years later, Nance arrived in Cleveland, where he became a fan favorite among Cavs fans due in large part to his high-flying style. In 1995, the team he spent the second half of his 14-year NBA career with retired his No. 22.
When Nance Jr. was traded to Cleveland last week, Nance Sr. said he called the Cavs to ask them to un-retire his jersey for his son. Nance Jr. ultimately opted for a different pair of digits -- 24 -- although some believe it won't be long until the younger Nance is wearing his father's number across a Cavaliers jersey.
As anticipation for Saturday's slam dunk contest has continued to build, many have taken to Twitter to share their thoughts on how Nance Jr. should pay homage to the rim-rocking icon who just so happens to be his dad. The most popular idea has been a relatively simple one: Have Nance Jr. don Nance Sr.'s Cleveland Cavaliers throwback jersey.
On Saturday, we'll find out whether Nance Jr. will opt to salute his dad by wearing his jersey, dunking two balls at once, neither -- or even both.
But what is clear is he'll have his hometown region rooting for both him -- and a little bit of nostalgia -- on Saturday night.
