Brooklyn Nets: Could Caris LeVert Be in the Rising Stars Challenge?

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Jan 17, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Toronto Raptors shooting guard DeMar DeRozan (10) controls the ball against Brooklyn Nets shooting guard Caris LeVert (22) during the second quarter at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

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The biggest thing LeVert has going for him is his size. At 6’7″ with a 6-10 wingspan, he can matchup with twos and threes easily, and possibly point guards if the situation calls for it. His most obvious hindrance is his slender frame, which prevents him from routinely playing the four. If LeVert were to match up against power forwards on a consistent basis, there would be steady bar-b-que chicken in Brooklyn.

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Because the Nets are atrocious on this end of the ball, it’s hard to differentiate who’s a solid defender. If someone’s man beats them for an easy layup, it’s not always their fault because there was no weak side help.

If you focus in on one player, though, you notice when they do the right thing, and LeVert has shown flashes of being a respectable defender. He doesn’t gamble much which is great, and he’s more than capable of locking his man down one-on-one.

Among the 20 rookies who have significant roles defensively (20-plus games played, five or more defended shots on average), LeVert is fifth overall in defensive field goal percentage, and he holds his opponents to 43.6 percent from the field. This is outstanding, but it’s all relative. On the micro-level, LeVert’s a good defender; on the macro-level, the league as a whole, he’s got a long way to go.

Fortunately, he’s making progress, and his interchangeability is good for Brooklyn.

Could Nets’ Caris LeVert Participate In The Rising Stars Challenge?

By Zach Cronin | Jan 21, 2017

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