The Lakers had an extra visitor Wednesday as Larry Nance Sr. stopped by practice and observed his son, Larry Jr.
Nance watched practice wearing a team hat, which he said was an adjustment from his days facing the Lakers while playing for Phoenix in the 1980s.
“They were always a tough team that came through and beat the crap out of us all the time,” said Nance, who recalled chasing James Worthy and guarding Magic Johnson as well as Lakers coach Byron Scott’s shooting prowess.
The feelings faded when Nance Jr. was drafted by the Lakers in the summer and as he has begun carving out a role in his rookie year, the elder Nance became a proud father now cheering for an old rival.