The Los Angeles Lakers had plenty of things to get excited about in the team’s victory over the Milwaukee Bucks, but arguably the biggest highlight came courtesy of rookie Larry Nance Jr.
Nance elevated high above the rim to throw down a massive dunk over Bucks center John Henson that brought the bench and the crowd to their feet.
Following the slam, Kobe Bryant told Nance something on the floor. At today’s practice, Nance revealed that Kobe basically challenged him to posterize a certain former teammate of his according to Shahan Ahmed of NBC Los Angeles:
Larry Nance Jr. on what Kobe told him after dunk: "He said when I grow up, I'll be able to do that on Dwight Howard." …Lakers-Rockets Thur
— Shahan Ahmed (@shahanLA) December 16, 2015
Nance also added that if he gets the opportunity to dunk on Howard, he will have no issue attempting to do so according to Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News:
So will Nance Jr. try to dunk on Dwight? Nance Jr: "If they feel like throwing me the ball, I'll do my best to dunk it."
— Mark Medina (@MarkG_Medina) December 16, 2015
Howard, of course, remains public enemy number one amongst Lakers fans after he left the team to join the Rockets following his only season in purple and gold. Since then, Howard has been booed vociferously any time he steps foot on the Staples Center floor.
Kobe and Howard recently spoke about their relationship and both claim that there are no hard feelings between the two. That being said, Kobe would surely find at least a little joy in seeing Nance dunk on him. Luckily for Nance, he will have that opportunity as the Lakers next game is against the Rockets.