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

Jan 6, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) is defended by Brooklyn Nets guard Caris LeVert (22) during the fourth quarter at Barclays Center. Cleveland Cavaliers won 116-108. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 6, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) is defended by Brooklyn Nets guard Caris LeVert (22) during the fourth quarter at Barclays Center. Cleveland Cavaliers won 116-108. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 5
Next
Jan 17, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets shooting guard Caris LeVert (22) drives on a breakaway ahead of Toronto Raptors center Jakob Poeltl (42) during the fourth quarter at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 17, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets shooting guard Caris LeVert (22) drives on a breakaway ahead of Toronto Raptors center Jakob Poeltl (42) during the fourth quarter at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

What Does He Need To Do?

Theoretically, all LeVert needs to do is keep up the level of play that we’ve seen over the last handful of games. Kenny Atkinson is going to give him the minutes, and he needs to shoot his shots — not from three — and play defense.

MUST READ: Nets: Who is Expendable After This Season?

The most staggering part of everything is how quickly LeVert has acclimated to the NBA. After missing half of his senior year at Michigan and missing the first part of this season, it’s remarkable how easily everything is coming to him. If he had been healthy, this would be a different conversation, and he’d be able to hold his own against Embiid and Brogdon as the best rookies in the class.

Next: Top 5 Nets From the 1990's

As the year progresses, the minutes are going to rise and so is the production. If LeVert can put in anywhere from 12-15 points a night while adding a handful of rebounds and steals, he should be able to separate himself from the other first-year players and land on the Rising Stars’ USA Team.