PF: Larry Nance
Larry Nance is best known for winning the inaugural slam-dunk competition as a member of the Phoenix Suns during the 1984-1985 season. But after he came to Cleveland, Nance maintained his All-Star caliber play.
He made two All-Star teams with Cleveland, whose colors back then were orange and blue. His best output at the exhibition came during the 1988-1989 season, when he scored 10 points and grabbed six rebounds in 17 minutes of play.
The All-Star game isn’t known for being a clinic on defensive fundamentals, but that didn’t keep Nance from recording a block and a steal in that same contest. Knowing that Nance would actually play some defense in the All-Star game should be shocker, as he was named to the NBA’s All-Defensive team at the end of the season. It’s an honor he received three times throughout his career.
The Clemson product recorded four blocks in his three All-Star games with the Suns and Cavs. Asking a guy who’s 6-10 not to swat the ball away is just unnatural–and Nance was probably happy to do it–All-Star game, or not. For his career, Nance ranks 20th in NBA history with 2,027 career blocks.
Next: C: Brad Daugherty