Caris LeVert returns at perfect time

Brooklyn Nets

Caris LeVert returns at perfect time

February 6, 2019

4124

Caris LeVert is back at 5-on-5 practices and may return to game action prior to the All-Star break. The Nets are currently in a brutal stretch of their schedule. They’ve dropped their past three games to the Spurs, Magic, and Bucks. 8 of their next 10 games are against the Nuggets, Raptors, Blazers, Hornets, Spurs, Wizards, and Heat. Those are either quality playoff teams or teams Brooklyn is battling for playoff seeding in the East.

The loss of Spencer Dinwiddie, among other injuries, is really being felt right now. On the season Brooklyn has a 109.6 offensive rating. In the past five games, all missed by Dinwiddie, the Nets have posted offensive ratings of 100.6, 109.4, 106.7, 84.7, and 89.7. There is a lot more context to this than just the fact Dinwiddie didn’t play. For example, the 106.7 rating came against the Bulls, but that points to the team playing a bad defense.

Suffice it to say, Brooklyn can really use LeVert while Dinwiddie is sidelined. When LeVert’s injury happened, it looked season ending. Now he may return in just three months. That is a remarkable and wonderful turn of events.

Driving

LeVert has consistently done well finishing at the rim in his career. According to our grading system, LeVert is in the 77th percentile among all players in the finishing category for his career.

In his career, LeVert has been a 64.9% shooter within 3 feet of the basket. For context, everyone’s favorite YouTube star, Uncle Drew, is a 60.4% shooter at the rim. LeVert was embracing this skill set to start the season. Each year LeVert’s three-point attempt rate has decline, with the difference in part going to shots at the rim. In his three seasons, LeVert has continuously increased the percentage of his shot profile he takes within 3 feet of the basket, going from 28.4%, to 31%, to 33.3% this year before his injury.

LeVert has displayed soft touch around the rim.

And before the injury, he was flashing an ability to finish through contact.

One on One

As shown from his career report card, LeVert was off to a rocky start this season in the one on one category. However, he did show ability in the area during his first two seasons. In an article last year, Zach Lowe opined that LeVert was one of the most beautiful players in the league to watch if you stopped watching right after he released the ball. Essentially, the process was gorgeous, but he kept missing.

Well, before the injury we got glimpses of what it would look like if the shots went in.

Brooklyn needs more scoring with Dinwiddie out, especially the type that will bolster bench units. Even with the F start to the season in the one on one category, LeVert still sports a B- career grade. Additionally, he was showing well among his position, evidenced by his 7th ranked O-PIPM at small forward. Admittedly 416 minutes is a tiny sample, but the early season success was nonetheless encouraging.

Caris LeVert Secret Dime Dropper

For his career, LeVert is receiving an A- in playmaking. LeVert has displayed an ability to hold the defense’s attention before dishing it at the last second.

This is a favorite LeVert pass of mine, as it looks as if it is straight off the playground, especially considering Jarrett Allen is a walking video game.

Speaking of something straight off the playground, this would for sure get all the “OOOOOHHHHH”‘s at your local L.A. Fitness.

One Last Thing

How awesome is this hustle play?

Contact Us

Your Bag (0 items)