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Brooklyn Nets: Top 10 Moments of 2016

By Tj Porreca

Dec 26, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Randy Foye (2) watches the replay after his game winning three point shot at the buzzer against the Charlotte Hornets during the second half at Barclays Center. The Nets won 120 -118. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 26, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Randy Foye (2) watches the replay after his game winning three point shot at the buzzer against the Charlotte Hornets during the second half at Barclays Center. The Nets won 120 -118. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jun 23, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Caris Levert (Michigan) greets NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the number twenty overall pick to the Indiana Pacers in the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 23, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Caris Levert (Michigan) greets NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the number twenty overall pick to the Indiana Pacers in the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

8. Caris LeVert Makes NBA Debut

Caris LeVert was selected No. 20 overall in the 2016 draft, by way of the Indiana Pacers. Indiana traded the rights to LeVert to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for Thaddeus Young.

In LeVert, the Nets got a tall, lengthy, intriguing guard from the University of Michigan. However, LeVert suffered a foot injury while at Michigan, which forced him to miss the Summer League, training camp, the preseason, and part of the regular season. The Nets got their first look at LeVert in game action on December 8, 2016, vs. the Denver Nuggets.

LeVert played just nine minutes off the bench, and did not score. However, he quickly made his presence felt on defense. LeVert had three steals while applying defensive pressure. While he went scoreless in his debut, his athleticism and skill set were both apparent. LeVert, at 6’7″, also pulled down four rebounds in a close loss to the Nuggets.

“It’s been so long since I’ve played in an actual game,” LeVert said on December 8, via Newsday. “It was a great feeling.” Head coach Kenny Atkinson was pleased with LeVert’s debut, as well. “I loved his speed out there,” Atkinson said. “That’s one thing we need more of. He had a lot of pop and energy. I love how hard he plays, and his athleticism.”

While LeVert didn’t fill up the stat sheet in his debut, it was clear the Nets wanted to be careful with their first round pick coming off of an injury, and rightfully so.

Since debuting, LeVert has provided the Nets with another option in the backcourt. He has been used at shooting guard to this point, and Brooklyn has utilized his athleticism off the ball.