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Brooklyn Nets: Caris LeVert’s case for Most Improved Player

By Jonathan Saponara

NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 24: Caris LeVert #22 of the Brooklyn Nets poses for a portrait during Media Day at the HSS Training Facility on September 24, 2018 in New York City. 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 Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 24: Caris LeVert #22 of the Brooklyn Nets poses for a portrait during Media Day at the HSS Training Facility on September 24, 2018 in New York City. 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 Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /
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Spencer Dinwiddie was denied the Most Improved Player award for his efforts last season, but that doesn’t mean that another finalist isn’t looming on the Brooklyn Nets’ roster. Meet Caris LeVert.

After the announcement that Caris LeVert would be in the starting lineup for the Brooklyn Nets to open up the season aside D’Angelo Russell, it seems like this could this be the break LeVert needs to get this season off on the right foot.

Assuming LeVert could hold on to his starting role, while playing around 30 minutes a game, this opens the case for him being Most Improved Player.

If history is any indicator, it looks as if LeVert has a good shot at grabbing the award. In recent history, 2013-14 Most Improved winner, Goran Dragic‘s scoring total went from 14.7 points per game in the 2012-13 season to 20.3 PPG in 2013-14.

2014-15 Most Improved winner, Jimmy Butler‘s scoring total went from 13.1 PPG in the 2013-14 season to 20.0 PPG in 2014-15.

Caris LeVert is coming off a 2017-18 NBA campaign that saw him increase his averages from 8.2 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game in the previous season to 12.1, 3.7 and 4.2 respectively.

The current trajectory of LeVert’s career is on a path that may collide with the NBA’s Most Improved award this season.

Here’s how he does it:

LeVert’s point total has to increase from 12.1 per game to around 18 or 19 points per game.  With injuries derailing the Nets’ depth early in the season, LeVert should have ample amount of opportunities to score.

Last season LeVert shot 34.7 percent on 3-point attempts, all while shooting a total of 245 attempts.

If he can get this percentage closer to 40 percent, which comes out to about 15 more made 3s, translating to around 45 more points, assuming an increase in 3-point attempts does not occur.

LeVert has great size and length for a shooting guard, allowing him to play bigger positions like small forward and power forward in smaller lineups.

If he plays more of those positions, as the Nets may end up having a lack of depth at the forward/center positions, he should be able to be more effective on the glass.

An increase in rebounds will look better to the national media and casual fans, helping his case for the Most Improved award.

Appearing in 128 out of a possible 164 games in his career thus far, it doesn’t seem like LeVert would be injury-prone, but LeVert has had minor injuries throughout his career, including a right foot injury that derailed parts of his 2017-18 season (a carryover from an injury he had in college).

Playing a minimum of 75 games would for sure aid Caris’ case for the award.

A more prominent role in the offense should benefit LeVert moving forward in his player development and recognition around the league. According to a recent article in the New York Post, the Nets offense this season was adjusted because of LeVert:

"The Nets switching to a five-out motion offense was more of a personnel-driven decision. And Caris LeVert was a big part of that personnel."

This bodes well for the Nets moving forward, as their offense will be more guard-centric, benefiting LeVert greatly in opportunity and ultimately success.

Next. 10 best rookie seasons in Nets history. dark

It’s a long season and if we’ve learned anything, it’s that the Most Improved Player award is not won at the beginning of the season, but rather how the player can develop throughout the season and finish strong.