Newsletter
Fadeaway World
  • Fadeaway World
  • NBA News & Analysis
  • NBA Trade Rumors
  • NBA News & Media
  • Exclusive Interviews
  • NBA 2K
Reading: Larry Nance Jr. Claims Cavaliers Celebrated Learning They Would Face Raptors In 2018 Playoffs
Fadeaway WorldFadeaway World
Search
  • Fadeaway World
  • NBA News & Analysis
  • NBA Trade Rumors
  • NBA News & Media
  • Exclusive Interviews
  • NBA 2K
Follow US
Home > NBA News & Analysis > Cleveland Cavaliers News & Analysis > Larry Nance Jr. Claims Cavaliers Celebrated Learning They Would Face Raptors In 2018 Playoffs

Larry Nance Jr. Claims Cavaliers Celebrated Learning They Would Face Raptors In 2018 Playoffs

Larry Nance Jr. reflected on the Cavaliers' having a locker room party when they found out about facing the Raptors in the 2018 playoffs.

Aaditya Krishnamurthy
Sep 16, 2024
4 Min Read
Share

Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images

Larry Nance Jr. was a guest on the Hoop Collective podcast’s live show. During the episode, he was asked to reflect on the 2017-18 season he had with the Cavaliers. Nance Jr. noted that the Raptors had no chance of beating them, and the team was so confident that they celebrated when they learned of their match-up

“They had not shot. None — from the second it was Cavs-Raptors, they had no shot. And it’s not like — they were a really good team. But the whole ‘LeBronto’ thing was real. The second it was scheduled, it was like a party in our locker room, like, ‘Hoo! We gonna get a little break before the Eastern Conference Finals! This is awesome!’”

(15:15 onwards)

The Cavaliers had held the advantage over the Raptors for the previous few years at that point. The regular season record would go out the window the moment the Cavaliers were set to face the Raptors. And when LeBron James was on the team, the Cavs always had the Raptors’ number.

The 2018 series came in the second round, as the Raptors, who were the first seed in the Eastern Conference, dispatched the Wizards in 6 games. They would face the fourth-seed Cavaliers, who were coming off a seven-game series with the Indiana Pacers.

Many expected the Raptors to put up a tougher fight against the Cavaliers than in years past, especially after earning the first seed in the East. But it was the same story as always, as Toronto turned into ‘LeBronto’ once again, with the Cavs sweeping the Raptors in humiliating fashion.

The term ‘LeBronto’ came from LeBron James‘ domination of the Raptors. He would decimate the team every time they faced in the playoffs, to the point where it became an expectation of him to dominate against the team in every playoff game.


2018 Was LeBron James’ Best Year

LeBron James had arguably the best performance of his career in 2018. James was able to single-handedly drive the Cavaliers to the NBA Finals, without any All-Star teammates. The way he performed during the playoffs was something to behold, as James was individually dominating entire teams on the court.

Of course, the Cavaliers went to two Game 7s during the playoffs, but that can be understood considering the lack of firepower the franchise had aside from James. While James is known for elevating his teammates as a playmaker and orchestrator, he couldn’t turn role players into All-Stars.

However, players like Larry Nance Jr., Jordan Clarkson, Kevin Love, and even J.R. Smith delivered for the Cavaliers during the playoffs when it counted most. The Cavaliers looked set to win Game 1 of the NBA Finals until Smith’s blunder cost them the Game, and all the momentum in the world, and led to them getting swept.

Fans have mythologized how incredible LeBron James was during 2018. But even then, they might be underplaying just the level he was at that year, and we haven’t seen that same level from him since.

Thank you for being a valued reader of Fadeaway World. If you liked this article, please consider following us on Google News. We really appreciate your support.

Follow on Google News

Thank you for being a valued reader of Fadeaway World. If you liked this article, please consider following us on Google News. We appreciate your support.

TAGGED:Cleveland Cavaliers ArchiveLeBron James
Share This Article
Facebook Email Copy Link Print
ByAaditya Krishnamurthy
Follow:
Aaditya Krishnamurthy is a writer for Fadeaway World covering the latest news and exciting stories from the fascinating world of the NBA. After briefly working as a freelance writer in the sports and business sector, Aaditya began writing for Fadeaway World in 2021 about the day-to-day functioning of the NBA.After graduating from Symbiosis School for Liberal Arts in 2020, he worked as a freelance writer for years before beginning his MA in Communications at Penn State University. Currently, he is in the United States, and traveling to his home country of India. Aside from the NBA, Aaditya is a big sports fan, with soccer, football, Formula 1, and MMA being some of his favorites to watch.
Previous Article Dirk Nowitzki Compares Dereck Lively II To Mavericks’ 2011 Title-Winning Center
Next Article Steve Kerr Gets Real On Jayson Tatum And Tyrese Haliburton’s Professionalism During The Paris Olympics
Leave a Comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Newsletter

Stay up to date with our newsletter on the latest news, trends, ranking lists, and evergreen articles

Newsletter
Facebook X-twitter Instagram

You Might Also Like

Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick speaks to media before a Game 2 of the first round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
Los Angeles Lakers News & Analysis

JJ Redick Explains Why Lakers Got Blown Out By Suns In Preseason Opener

October 4, 2025
Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) reacts against the Golden State Warriors at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Phoenix Suns News & Analysis

Devin Booker Trolls Deandre Ayton During Lakers-Suns Game

October 4, 2025
Lonzo Ball
Cleveland Cavaliers News & Analysis

Lonzo Ball On Track For Major Redemption Season, Turning Heads At Training Camp

October 4, 2025
Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27), center Nikola Jokic (15) and guard Christian Braun (0) in the fourth quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder during Game 6 of the second round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
Denver Nuggets News & Analysis

Denver Nuggets Guard Declares They Have The Best Starting Five In The NBA

October 4, 2025

NBA - Fadeaway World

  • Atlanta Hawks
  • Boston Celtics
  • Brooklyn Nets
  • Charlotte Hornets
  • Chicago Bulls
  • Cleveland Cavaliers
  • Dallas Mavericks
  • Denver Nuggets
  • Detroit Pistons
  • Golden State Warriors
  • Houston Rockets
  • Indiana Pacers
  • Los Angeles Clippers
  • Los Angeles Lakers
  • Memphis Grizzlies
  • Miami Heat
  • Milwaukee Bucks
  • Minnesota Timberwolves
  • New Orleans Pelicans
  • New York Knicks
  • Oklahoma City Thunder
  • Orlando Magic
  • Philadelphia 76ers
  • Phoenix Suns
  • Portland Trail Blazers
  • Sacramento Kings
  • San Antonio Spurs
  • Toronto Raptors
  • Utah Jazz
  • Washington Wizards

Pages

  • NBA Trade Rumors
  • NBA Media
  • Exclusive NBA Interviews
  • NBA 2K News & Updates

© 2025 Fadeaway World @ All Rights Reserved

  • About Fadeaway World
  • Fadeaway World Authors
  • Editorial Team
  • Ethics Policy
  • Corrections Policy
  • Editorial Guidelines
  • Fact-Checking Policy
  • Contact Us
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?