Los Angeles Lakers: Isaiah Thomas, Larry Nance Jr. embracing childhood dreams
Los Angeles Lakers point guard Isaiah Thomas, and Larry Nance Jr., whom he was traded for, are both living out their childhood dreams.
Playing for the Los Angeles Lakers is something a lot of players dream of. The dreams of becoming an NBA player is common amongst kids at an early age, especially with those who’s abilities meet the ambition.
Hopes start to become a reality, and a chance to play for one’s favorite team growing up becomes a possibility. For Isaiah Thomas and Larry Nance Jr., those dreams have come true.
Its been almost about a month since the Lakers traded Larry Nance Jr., and young veteran Jordan Clarkson to the Cavaliers in exchange for Isaiah Thomas and Channing Frye, with Magic Johnson and Rob Pelinka pulling enough strings to garner a 1st round draft pick as well.
The Lakers have gone 5-3 since the trade, riding a five-game win streak, including their first four-game unbeaten streak on the road, something that hasn’t happened since 2009. In those eight games, Isaiah Thomas has averaged 16.1 ppg, 5.1 assists, and 2.6 rebounds.
The Lakers got off to a slow start during Thomas’ first three games as a Laker. Visibly, in stretches, Thomas’ free-wheelin’ and herky-jerk offense seemed to come back naturally. His own words of “getting his powers back” showed a growing confidence in his abilities, a confidence that seemed to be lacking during his short stint in Cleveland.
Widely known for getting his name because of a lost bet, Thomas knew the name ‘Isaiah’ meant a lot in the biblical sense and in NBA history.
Isaiah’s father, James, was confident the Lakers would repeat as champions over the Detroit Pistons following the 1987-88 NBA Finals. So much so, that if the Lakers lost, he would name his child after Detroit’s starting point guard, Isiah Thomas. The Pistons swept the Lakers in the 1988-89 NBA Finals.
Isaiah’s father’s ties to the Lakers comes from his early days, being raised in Inglewood, right near the Forum. Isaiah rooted for the Lakers, as his father did, and before he had joined the Celtics in 2017, felt desperate to be a Laker. In an article in 2017, Adam Himmelsbach of the Boston Globe quoted Thomas’ sentiments about once wanting to play for the purple and gold saying,
"I used to before I got on the Celtics…But yeah for sure."
Eight years and five teams later, Thomas can finally say he’s a Laker.
As for Larry Nance Jr, a trade to his home state of Ohio brings some emotional ties to the city of Cleveland and the Cavaliers organization. Nance’s father, Larry Nance Sr. is etched in Cavs history – his jersey hangs in the rafters at the Q.
In nine games with the Cavaliers, Nance Jr. has averaged 10 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks. His latest effort, in a 112-90 victory over the Detroit Pistons, was a career achievement. Filling in for Tristan Thompson as he nurses an ankle sprain, Nance had 22 points, 15 rebounds, going 9-15 in shooting (also a career high) in 32 minutes of play.
Nance, a native of Akron, not unlike a current teammate of his, now finds himself playing for his favorite team growing up, yet still in the spotlight away from Tinseltown.
Los Angeles Lakers
Cleveland, a city with attributes much opposite of Los Angeles, garners enough attention from the media due to its high profile superstar and prodigal son in LeBron James. Nance has had some experience in playing with a living legend and feels that maybe LeBron is the best player of his era. Erik Garcia Gundersen of LeBronWire quotes Nance describing James as a player who,
"..sees everything on the court offensively and defensively. He’s not ‘probably the best player of his era. He is [the best]."
Playing in the limelight is something Larry Nance Jr. has gotten used to. Not even a week into playing for Cleveland, Nance found himself on arguably All-Star Weekends biggest stage, the Slam-Dunk Contest.
Although losing the contest to Donovan Mitchell, Nance wowed the crowds by donning his fathers No. 22 jersey and throwback short-shorts with a slew of memorable dunks, punctuated by replicating Sr.’s cradle dunk. There’s something truly awesome about being able to replicate your father’s iconic dunk, in the NBA, in the same dunk content.
The Cavs have gone 5-4 in their nine games with Nance Jr. wearing wine-and-gold, as they look to build some momentum heading into the final 19 games of the regular season. Cleveland is obviously playoff bound, something Larry Nance has no experience in. He and former Laker Jordan Clarkson look to aid LeBron James and co., in the Cavs’ hope to capture a 2nd NBA Championship.
As for the Lakers and Isaiah Thomas, the playoffs are quite a long shot, but no one pegged them to make it past the 2nd week of April. Although they have a sub .500 record at 28-34, the Lakers continue to play well with consistency and for each other.
On Sunday, the Lakers beat the San Antonio Spurs with a resilient, come from behind victory, winning the game 116-112. Four years ago, that game would have been an easy blowout after the 1st quarter. Isaiah, scoring 29 points in the win, feels like he can change the mind’s of the team as currently constructed. Thomas believes, saying,
"“Why not win now? Not saying it’s all on me or we’re winning just because of me, but I think I put that in these guys’ minds. Like, we can win every game we play in.”"
And why not? Isiah Thomas, who many believe is just a rental, is hopeful for the Lakers to be successful now, even if he has no future with the team at season’s end. Yes, his motivation is continuing to audition for his future paycheck, and prove to teams he can be highly effective, but this type of leadership cannot be ignored and will help shape the young Lakers core in the long run.
Its been quite a whirlwind for Larry Nance Jr. and Isaiah Thomas. Their respective teams will meet each other on March 11 in Los Angeles, with emotions likely running high that night, probably more so for Nance Jr. and Jordan Clarkson. Isaiah Thomas, a Cavalier for only 15 games, will be looking forward to sticking it to his former team.
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With Nance Jr. finally being able to contribute on a championship contender, and Isaiah Thomas again having to prove his abilities as a leader, neither have much to complain about their current situations. They are right where they want to be. Having a sense of purpose, and playing for teams they once idolized.