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Brooklyn Nets 2016-17 grades: Caris LeVert

By Rohan Dang

Mar 12, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Caris LeVert (22) holds the ball as the clock runs down in the fourth quarter against New York Knicks at Barclays Center. Nets win 120-112. Mandatory Credit: Nicole Sweet-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 12, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Caris LeVert (22) holds the ball as the clock runs down in the fourth quarter against New York Knicks at Barclays Center. Nets win 120-112. Mandatory Credit: Nicole Sweet-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 30, 2017; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Caris LeVert (22) shoots the ball in front of Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0), forward Marcus Morris (13) and forward Jon Leuer (30) during the second quarter at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 30, 2017; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Caris LeVert (22) shoots the ball in front of Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0), forward Marcus Morris (13) and forward Jon Leuer (30) during the second quarter at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /

Lowlights

LeVert sat out the first 20 games of the year while still rehabbing from his senior year injury. It was known during the draft that he would be unavailable at the beginning of the season. It was still a difficult time for LeVert as he anxiously waited to get on the court.

Finally, when he did make his debut, he came up very short. He was scoreless in his first game and continued to struggle throughout the beginning of his season. Over his first 11 NBA games he shot a putrid 31.3 percent, averaging four points per game despite getting a reasonable 14 to 15 minutes per game. He was able to turn it around however, and began to play much better as the season went on.

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When LeVert got his first career start on Feb. 3, he also played one of his worst games of the season. He shot 11 percent from the field, scoring only four points with five rebounds and one assist. The former Wolverine also posted his worst plus/minus of the season, with a -24 in the loss to Indiana, and he subsequently did not play in the following two games for Brooklyn.

LeVert did not return to the starting lineup until after the All-Star break. His improvement was palpable. He looked much more comfortable in Atkinson’s system in the latter half of the season, which only makes sense for the young rookie.

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Ultimately, LeVert’s initial slump paved the way for a very successful season. His struggle is very natural for rookies The adjustment from college ball to the NBA is very large and never guaranteed. Many players who were college studs never learn to adapt to the game at its highest level. LeVert’s progress in his first season alone is incredibly encouraging for the Nets.

He finished the season with respectable averages of eight points per game on 45 percent field goal shooting, along with 3.3 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 0.9 steals in 22 minutes per game. He shot a reasonably high 52.8 percent effective field goal percentage.

Final Grade: A+

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LeVert also joins a young core of Rondae-Hollis Jefferson and Isaiah Whitehead as the potential future of this franchise. His rapid growth as a player and a scorer combined have to have Nets’ fans feeling good about their 2016 selection. With a very high ceiling and plenty more room to grow, LeVert may have a very exciting career ahead of him.