2017 is the year of Caris LeVert and his new role on the team

ATLANTA, GA – DECEMBER 04: Caris LeVert #22 of the Brooklyn Nets drives against Marco Belinelli #3 of the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena on December 4, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

Caris LeVert has 17 points and six assists in the Brooklyn Nets win over the Atlanta Hawks on Monday. But do not call the sophomore a one-game wonder.

At 6’6″ and a 7-foot wingspan, Caris LeVert is the ideal wing player. He is lengthy, he has muscle and he is athletic. Conventional wisdom dictates that he should play the two or the three.

However, head coach Kenny Atkinson is not a student of conventional wisdom. Rather, he is a master of experimentation. So, rather than having LeVert play his natural position of shooting guard or small forward, he plays point guard.

And it is working. Logic would dictate moving a player o

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ut of his natural position does not work. But in this case, LeVert has been a solid point guard leading the second unit.

But Monday night’s game against the Hawks was more than a coming out game for LeVert. It just put the cherry on top of the theory that he would make a successful point guard. Although he’s split time between the point, shooting guard and small forward positions, LeVert’s played well in all three.

In fact, he has had 12 or more points in just under half of the 23 games played so far. In 12 of the last 23, he has scored in double digits.

LeVert’s year is a huge factor for why the Nets have not tanked once they lost Jeremy Lin and D’Angelo Russell. Couple LeVert with Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and you either have a playmaker who can open the lane for The Hyphen, or two great wings. Pair the sophomore with rookie Jarrett Allen and you have a great pick and roll duo.

While LeVert was a highly-touted prospect before succumbing to injury prior to the 2016 NBA Draft, he fell in the eyes of many. But in 2017, LeVert has proved himself.