Brooklyn Nets: Caris LeVert is a star in the making

After a gruesome leg injury sidelined Caris LeVert for most of the 2019 season, he returned just in time to propel the Brooklyn Nets into the playoffs. He will continue to improve and will become a star in the NBA.

LeVert’s impact

The Brooklyn Nets made a great decision for their future when they decided to ship Thaddeus Young to the Indiana Pacers for Caris LeVert (First round, 20th overall pick in 2016) and a protected future second-round pick.

Now in his third season with the Brooklyn Nets, LeVert has posted 13.7 points (career high), 3.8 (career high) rebounds and, 3.9 assists, on 43 FG% in 26.6 minutes per game in 40 games played.

Although LeVert was leading the Brooklyn Nets in scoring before his horrendous injury against the Minnesota Timberwolves on November 12, 2018, he was producing at a high level. He averaged 18.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 3.7 assists in fourteen games played before we all believed the injury he suffered would end his season prematurely.

In those fourteen games, LeVert also managed to post seven games in which he scored more than twenty points, including back-to-back 27 and 28 point nights to open the season. He also scored his career-high 29 points in a loss against the Houston Rockets on November 2. That big performance was followed by two more twenty-plus scoring games as well.

Once LeVert went down with his devastating injury, the Nets’ offense struggled, especially in the clutch. Additionally, the Nets also went from 17th in defensive rating,  pre-all-star break, to fourth in the NBA post-all-star break, when LeVert was already working his way back into the rotation. Although the Nets didn’t fall too far behind in the standings in his absence, they should be grateful to have him at this point in the first round of the playoffs nonetheless.

The versatile forward has shown his fearlessness as he has hit several game winners this season, notably against the Denver Nuggets in November. He will continue to improve yearly alongside D’Angelo Russell and the rest of the Nets’ feisty young core. It’s important to note that if LeVert was healthy he would’ve battled Russell for the MIP award this season.

Fast-forward to the playoffs

In the Nets’ surprising Game 1 victory against the Philadelphia 76ers, LeVert posted a line of 23 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, on 8/18 FG%, 3/3 from deep, and a plus-minus of +18 in 23 minutes.

Throughout the course of the game, LeVert showed his versatility, scoring from multiple areas on the floor and making his presence known in only 23 minutes of action. It will be crucial for Coach Atkinson to utilize the versatile forward who is arguably their biggest asset off the bench against the struggling 76ers.

It is always fun to see young players dominate in their first playoffs appearance, showcasing their talent and desire to step up during the most important time of the year.

Final thoughts

Coach Kenny Atkinson was smart easing LeVert back into his rotation off the bench after his injury. The move has boosted the second unit to an average of 47.8 points (regular season), placing the em second in the NBA, behind the Los Angeles Clippers (53.2).

There’s no question that had LeVert been healthy all season, he would’ve had his best year yet (with a larger sample size) and might have even helped the Nets secure a higher playoff seed. Who knows, he might have been the Nets’ best player.

LeVert will continue to attack the 76ers during this series and will gain playoff experience in preparation for future (and better-suited) trips to the postseason.

As long as LeVert can stay healthy moving forward, he will regain his starting role and arguably solidify his status as the Nets’ second-best player behind D’Angelo Russell.