NO TOUCH LUCK
LeVert looks strong in return, but ability to finish eludes him
CLEVELAND — The athleticism and explosiveness were there from the moment Nets guard Caris LeVert stepped back on the floor.
Then he started getting used to the speed of the game.
But those nagging last parts? The timing? The finishing touch? That’s a work in progress.
Coach Kenny Atkinson used a golf analogy to explain LeVert’s struggles, saying, “He’s feeling the club, [which is not unusual] when you’ve been out a while. Especially the missed layups, bunnies — he’s there. Part of it is probably the contact you get before that [shot] … I wish I had a formula for it, how long it takes.”
It took LeVert three months to come back from a Nov. 12 subtalar dislocation of his right foot. After returning Friday against Chicago, it remains to be seen how long it will take for his timing to return as well.
LeVert has actually looked spry and aggressive in his two games back, beating defenders off the dribble and attacking the rim — he just hasn’t gotten the shots to fall when he gets there, missing layups.
He’s averaged 8.5 points in 18.8 minutes in two games, shooting just 36.4 percent, including 0-for-8 on 3s.
“I love that he’s attacking. I haven’t seen any fearful movements, any fearful [plays]. His forays to the basket, he’s going hard. It’s just the touch isn’t there,” Atkinson said. “I told him it’s just rust. That’ll come off because he’s a really good finisher.”
LeVert isn’t shocked at how spry he’s felt because of all the rehab work he did, but is surprised his touch isn’t closer to 100 percent.
“Honestly I’m surprised I’m not [sharper],” LeVert told The Post. “If anything, I’m surprised I’m not further along because we put in a lot of work. I know it’ll come; I’m a competitor.”
While the performance team worked LeVert during his rehab, the one thing they couldn’t simulate — despite full-contact practices against G-League players — was the NBA’s in-game physicality.
“For sure. You can’t really mimic game speed and game physicality and things like that,” LeVert said. “That was the only thing in the rehab that we didn’t do. We played against the GLeague a couple times, but you can’t really mimic game pace and things like that. But I know those things will come.”
After missing 42 games, the rust was expected.
In Friday’s return, LeVert had 11 points, four assists and tied a career high with five steals in 15 minutes. He followed that with six points and four assists, but five turnovers and 3-of-11 shooting in 22 minutes, 45 seconds Monday in Toronto.
Both LeVert and Atkinson have said the game has been going a little fast for him.
“The first game back did, the first six minutes. Then I feel like the second half it slowed down a little bit. [Monday] was regular. It doesn’t feel super-fast,” said LeVert, adding he’ll just have to play his way through it.
“It just comes with it. I’ve got to watch film and just play. I made some mistakes and Kenny still left me in. I appreciate him for that. That was big getting my feel back, getting my rhythm back. … I’m going to learn from it.”
➤ DeMarre Carroll, who sat out Monday with a sore knee, said he expects to play Wednesday against the Cavs.