LeVert thriving at point guard
MEXICO CITY — Maybe it took having their backcourt turned into an infirmary for the Nets to realize what they have in Caris LeVert. Or even for LeVert to realize what he has in himself. The second-year pro had been a backup wing, but with knee injuries to D’Angelo Russell and Jeremy Lin, he’s starting to get minutes as a backup point guard. And the 23-yearold is rapidly beginning to blossom, having his coming-out party with a career night in Thursday’s win over the Thunder.
LeVert had career-highs in points (21) and assists (10), without a single turnover in a 100-95 victory.
“Him moving to the backup point guard has helped his confidence,” coach Kenny Atkinson said. “We’re discovering we have a 6-7 wing who can play point guard. The way he passes the ball and the way he handles it, we’re discovering he can be a point guard in this league.”
Which is good news for the Nets, who play the Heat on Saturday at Arena Ciudad de Mexico.
“Sometimes when guys are out, you discover things you didn’t know. We talked about Caris when we drafted him. Can this kid eventually be a point guard? ... It’s nice to see he’s starting to feel comfortable there because we need it.”
“I’m extremely proud of him, to see his growth from his first season to now. ... He kept believing in the process, kept putting in the work,” Rondae Hollis-Jefferson said. “He’s unbelievable, being that guy that we need him to be and that we know he can be. It’s phenomenal to see and he’s my best friend.”
LeVert had 17 points and six assists in Monday’s win at Atlanta, and topped that Thursday, with Spencer Dinwiddie plagued by foul woes. He provided stellar defense on Russell Westbrook in the fourth quarter when the reigning league MVP was held to five points, and ran the offense with aplomb as he grew more confident at the point.
Hollis-Jefferson briefly left the Thunder game with an ankle injury, but will be fine to face Miami.
Because Trevor Booker was traded, Sean Kilpatrick waived and newcomers Jahlil Okafor and Nik Stauskas are not expected to join the team in Mexico City, the Nets recalled Isaiah Whitehead from the G-League and transferred Jake Wiley’s two-way deal from Long Island to Brooklyn.