Official Caris LeVert Thread

[MrDollarBills]

I don't think they are locking in DRuss as the starting PG, it's just that Marks really likes Crab and Kenny really likes DMC. If Lin's well maybe DVD, DRuss and LVJ will play together off the bench, that's a fun and potent perimeter 2nd unit.

Yea I highly doubt Lin starts even if he’s healthy. Dinwiddie had a much greater impact last year than Lin had in 16-17 and Russell is the golden boy. There’s no reason why Lin would start.

Lin was injured in 16-17 as well. When he came back, he had a great impact. When he was out, wasn't there a 30 games losing streak or something? Very different style (the players), very different roster (the two years). It's definitely in the team's best interest for him to start if he's healthy, it could possibly raise his stock for a midseason trade or attract FAs 2019; it could prevent DVD and DRuss from being overpaid. Having to overpay those two could keep the team treadmill.

its morelikely that lin doesnt even play then that he will start. he is at best the rhid best PG and probably the 4th as its likely dinwiddie keeps improving and with lins injury he isnt 100% of what he was

Ya, if he isn't healthy, what do you do? C'est la vie. OTOH, if he's healthy, he can draw the defense, giving shooters more open shots, bigs more easy opportunities under the basket, PnRs the open the floor, nailing the threes, getting to the line. He's the a vet PG, extension of the coach, make smart decisions, albeit high reward but high risk. He plays hard and good D, he says he's gonna be captain defense next season, that can't be a bad thing.

a 30 game losing streak? seriously dude?

[Roy Tarpley]

Yea I highly doubt Lin starts even if he’s healthy. Dinwiddie had a much greater impact last year than Lin had in 16-17 and Russell is the golden boy. There’s no reason why Lin would start.

Lin was injured in 16-17 as well. When he came back, he had a great impact. When he was out, wasn't there a 30 games losing streak or something? Very different style (the players), very different roster (the two years). It's definitely in the team's best interest for him to start if he's healthy, it could possibly raise his stock for a midseason trade or attract FAs 2019; it could prevent DVD and DRuss from being overpaid. Having to overpay those two could keep the team treadmill.

its morelikely that lin doesnt even play then that he will start. he is at best the rhid best PG and probably the 4th as its likely dinwiddie keeps improving and with lins injury he isnt 100% of what he was

Ya, if he isn't healthy, what do you do? C'est la vie. OTOH, if he's healthy, he can draw the defense, giving shooters more open shots, bigs more easy opportunities under the basket, PnRs the open the floor, nailing the threes, getting to the line. He's the a vet PG, extension of the coach, make smart decisions, albeit high reward but high risk. He plays hard and good D, he says he's gonna be captain defense next season, that can't be a bad thing.

a 30 game losing streak? seriously dude?

There was no 30 game losing streak in 2016-17. There was a stretch where the Nets went 1-27 (11 and 16 game losing streaks).

[MrDollarBills]

oh yeah now i remember.

Either way, I think we're getting way ahead of ourselves. Lin has to show that he is in good enough condition physically to be able to start. It's not a given at all and in reality its in the Nets best interest to start whoever is the best player for the job. No one should be handed anything. What Dinwiddie and LeVert did at PG cannot be discounted. Kenny may also want to keep Russell at PG for the full season.

[ChokeFasncists]

Lin was injured in 16-17 as well. When he came back, he had a great impact. When he was out, wasn't there a 30 games losing streak or something? Very different style (the players), very different roster (the two years). It's definitely in the team's best interest for him to start if he's healthy, it could possibly raise his stock for a midseason trade or attract FAs 2019; it could prevent DVD and DRuss from being overpaid. Having to overpay those two could keep the team treadmill.


Ya, if he isn't healthy, what do you do? C'est la vie. OTOH, if he's healthy, he can draw the defense, giving shooters more open shots, bigs more easy opportunities under the basket, PnRs the open the floor, nailing the threes, getting to the line. He's the a vet PG, extension of the coach, make smart decisions, albeit high reward but high risk. He plays hard and good D, he says he's gonna be captain defense next season, that can't be a bad thing.

a 30 game losing streak? seriously dude?

There was no 30 game losing streak in 2016-17. There was a stretch where the Nets went 1-27 (11 and 16 game losing streaks).

Ya, that's right, some brutal sheet, can't remember the specifics. Some parallel with MDA's Rockets against the Dubs in game 7?

[ChokeFasncists]

oh yeah now i remember.

Either way, I think we're getting way ahead of ourselves. Lin has to show that he is in good enough condition physically to be able to start. It's not a given at all and in reality its in the Nets best interest to start whoever is the best player for the job. No one should be handed anything. What Dinwiddie and LeVert did at PG cannot be discounted. Kenny may also want to keep Russell at PG for the full season.

Agreed, that's why I said "if healthy". But how about the contract situation? It would really suck if we have to overpay DVD and DRuss. Having them come off the bench makes sense on its own, (if Lin can play well) could let them improve with patience, and most importantly could let them be resigned long term under reasonable contracts. Lets hope Lin's totally back! (with a vengeance?)

[MGrand15]

I'm getting more convinced that LeVert needs to be the starting 2 next to Russell and Crabbe. If Kenny is serious about using 2 ball handlers, this is the way to do it. Then Lin and Dinwiddie run the 2nd unit as dual ball handlers.

LeVert gives us the best combination of shooting, ball handling, playmaking, and defense at guard.

Crabbe, Russell, and Carroll just dont get all the way to the rim consistently enough. I think our starters need more punch.

[TheNetsFan]

I'm getting more convinced that LeVert needs to be the starting 2 next to Russell and Crabbe. If Kenny is serious about using 2 ball handlers, this is the way to do it. Then Lin and Dinwiddie run the 2nd unit as dual ball handlers.

LeVert gives us the best combination of shooting, ball handling, playmaking, and defense at guard.

Crabbe, Russell, and Carroll just dont get all the way to the rim consistently enough. I think our starters need more punch.

I believe that is the long-term plan barring a major perimeter FA.

[Claud]

Levert/Russell/Crabbe/RHJ/Allen should definitely be our starting 5.

[MrDollarBills]

J.Allen, A.Crabbe, R.Hollis-Jefferson, C.LeVert, D.Russell:
12 games, 43 total mins
offensive rating 106.3
defensive rating 89.2
+17.2 on the court.

small sample size but we definitely should use this line up more. lots of length wing span wise to disrupt the passing lanes on D as well and the only negative defender in the line up is Russell (per DRAPM). Both RHJ and LeVert attack the basket and can get to the line. Crabbe, Russell, LeVert can hit the deep ball and you've got your shot blocking and rim roll finisher in Allen.

[kamaze]

J.Allen, A.Crabbe, R.Hollis-Jefferson, C.LeVert, D.Russell:
12 games, 43 total mins
offensive rating 106.3
defensive rating 89.2
+17.2 on the court.

small sample size but we definitely should use this line up more. lots of length wing span wise to disrupt the passing lanes on D as well and the only negative defender in the line up is Russell (per DRAPM). Both RHJ and LeVert attack the basket and can get to the line. Crabbe, Russell, LeVert can hit the deep ball and you've got your shot blocking and rim roll finisher in Allen.

That's why the coach wants him to work on his defense. He'll be better individually and also the team defense will be better.

I like the Dinwiddie and LeVert duo off the bench but whatever works best.

[Prokorov]

Russell's defense if it improve a ton wouldnt impact us defensively.... one because PG defense is near irrelevant, two because we take our PGs out of the equation by having them trail all pick and rolls, and three because we still have a roster full of average to bad defenders even without factoring him in.

He needs to improve as a shooter. his value to a team and to us and to winning is going to be minimal if he cant shoot the ball well

[MrDollarBills]

Russell's defense if it improve a ton wouldnt impact us defensively.... one because PG defense is near irrelevant, two because we take our PGs out of the equation by having them trail all pick and rolls, and three because we still have a roster full of average to bad defenders even without factoring him in.

He needs to improve as a shooter. his value to a team and to us and to winning is going to be minimal if he cant shoot the ball well

Yeah see I'm with you on this.

Why is it that one of the best 5 man rotations includes Russell along with 3 guys (RHJ, Crabbe, LeVert) who can switch up on match ups and have disruptive length, and then you add in Allen at the 5 who can protect the rim?

Russell's defense individually doesn't matter. its not like he's out there getting his ankles broken every night by opposing PGs. the problem is this: Russell isn't strong enough to get through bigs that screen him so the opposing ball handler gets a wide open mid range j(which is, according to analytical types the shot you want your opponent to take) and when he's defending off the ball his awareness is garbage. that's the problem. I saw Russell make several hustle plays this past season on D mixed in with the defensive gaffes. I could care less. he needs to hit that deep ball at 37% bare minimum and i swear his game will elevate big time.

[MrDollarBills]

J.Allen, A.Crabbe, R.Hollis-Jefferson, C.LeVert, D.Russell:
12 games, 43 total mins
offensive rating 106.3
defensive rating 89.2
+17.2 on the court.

small sample size but we definitely should use this line up more. lots of length wing span wise to disrupt the passing lanes on D as well and the only negative defender in the line up is Russell (per DRAPM). Both RHJ and LeVert attack the basket and can get to the line. Crabbe, Russell, LeVert can hit the deep ball and you've got your shot blocking and rim roll finisher in Allen.

That's why the coach wants him to work on his defense. He'll be better individually and also the team defense will be better.

I like the Dinwiddie and LeVert duo off the bench but whatever works best.

No it won't because the same **** that happens when Russell is defending the primary ball handler versus the screen happens to LeVert and Dinwiddie as well because the Nets coaching staff wants the defender to fight through the screen while the screener's defender drops back.

it's literally the dumbest defensive strategy to use imo because most NBA guards can easily hit mid range 2's uncontested. if you want to bitch about The defense you may want to start with Kenny and his staff and work down to the roster.

[MrDollarBills]

the defensive issues we saw in 17-18 were the exact same as 16-17. on ball defender gets wiped out by the screener, the center is below the foul line watching the opposing ball handler pull up for a pre game warm up shot.

You are delusional if you expect a 195-200 lb human being to routinely plow through screens set by players who weigh 235-250 and are 6'10 and up. **** ing delusional. that's like trying to shrug off having a brick wall slammed into your face every 3-5 minutes.

[Prokorov]

Russell's defense if it improve a ton wouldnt impact us defensively.... one because PG defense is near irrelevant, two because we take our PGs out of the equation by having them trail all pick and rolls, and three because we still have a roster full of average to bad defenders even without factoring him in.

He needs to improve as a shooter. his value to a team and to us and to winning is going to be minimal if he cant shoot the ball well

Yeah see I'm with you on this.

Why is it that one of the best 5 man rotations includes Russell along with 3 guys (RHJ, Crabbe, LeVert) who can switch up on match ups and have disruptive length, and then you add in Allen at the 5 who can protect the rim?

Russell's defense individually doesn't matter. its not like he's out there getting his ankles broken every night by opposing PGs. the problem is this: Russell isn't strong enough to get through bigs that screen him so the opposing ball handler gets a wide open mid range j(which is, according to analytical types the shot you want your opponent to take) and when he's defending off the ball his awareness is garbage. that's the problem. I saw Russell make several hustle plays this past season on D mixed in with the defensive gaffes. I could care less. he needs to hit that deep ball at 37% bare minimum and i swear his game will elevate big time.

Here is the plain truth no one wants to acknowledge:

1) there are only 2 ways to effectively defend in the NBA:
-Switch on everything
-Trap everything hard

2) we cant switch on everything because we have a team full of average to poor defenders 1 through 15 with only a couple exceptions. most switches result in a bad mismatch that will end up with an open three or paint attempt, the 2 shots you cant give up and be successful

We cant trap everything hard, because we dont have the personel to do that. not enough athletic defenders, not enough quickness.

3) because of the above, we go with the only other option... we trail every pick and roll, sag our big, and dare them to take midrange to long twos, statistically the worst shot in basketball, and play at the leagues fastest pace in hopes that over larger samples those inefficient shots lead to us being able to outscore them by taking more efficient shots (threes) on the other end.

WE. NEED. TALENT. thats what it boils down to. and not low first round/undrafted/second round role playing talent. we need legit, game changing talent. we will get there in time

[MGrand15]

I guess Kenny just wants him to improve defensively for fun. Just for kicks.

I'm not the biggest fan of our PNR defense especially when RHJ is the big but there's a lot of exaggerating going on here.

We're NOT the only team that runs this. We've been very aggressive with the drop but that's essentially how Utah plays the PNR. 2nd best defensive team in the league. The Spurs are another. 4th best defensive team.

It's tough on guards but if you take the right angle and you have length, you can contest those mid range pull ups and floaters. The big defends the rim and everyone else can stay home.

[Prokorov]

I guess Kenny just wants him to improve defensively for fun. Just for kicks.

I'm not the biggest fan of our PNR defense especially when RHJ is the big but there's a lot of exaggerating going on here.

We're NOT the only team that runs this. We've been very aggressive with the drop but that's essentially how Utah plays the PNR. 2nd best defensive team in the league. The Spurs are another. 4th best defensive team.

It's tough on guards but if you take the right angle and you have length, you can contest those mid range pull ups and floaters. The big defends the rim and everyone else can stay home.

Spurs have elite defenders all over the floor. spurs also trap a TON on wing down to baseline pick and rolls

Utah has the DPOTY and one of the tallest if not the talest/longest center in the league.

they can get away with that stuff.

Kenny is the coach. of course he wants to improve players... offense, shooting, defense. thats his job. but there is a difference between wanting to improve things and how much improving any one skill will help.

Russell becoming an above average defender wont mean jack shiznit if he cant be a scoring force and knockdown shooter

[bws94]

I love LeVert as a player. I don't think it much matters if he starts or not. He should finish game. Having him come in as an energy guy off the bench is great. And it gives him more flexibility because he doesn't have to compete as much with another ball-handler. He's the best penetrator on the team, then probably Lin if he still has his speed left. I don't think CLV has to be regarded as a PG. He can be a wing and facilitate and guard taller PGs. But nobody really can guard Simmons because he's a unique player. Or Greek Freak.

I think the starting lineup, assuming healthy, is the starting lineup of 2017, with Crabbe instead of DMC starting. 2 ball handling guards and it doesn't matter who is called PG or SG, Crabbe as shooting wing, RHJ at the 4, and Allen assuming the starting 5 instead of Mozgov.

As the game progresses, KA will feel out matchups and such as he works the guards shift. I see CLV finishing a lot of games. I think Lin finishes a lot, assuming health, because of his ability to draw fouls and make timely hustle plays, Dinwiddie will have a big role but perhaps not always finish, Russell will always finish. Lin probably gets less minutes for awhile to get his basketball legs back but he'll likely be in to finish and to slow down opposing team's runs and such. I think it's a good situation at guard, but health is worrisome with Lin and maybe DLo.

Less likely is Lin off the bench, though that's a popular opinion here. I don't see this. Maybe to start the season, but KA is big on Lin's leadership on the court and I think that's the likely scenario. I don't know, however, if all guards on the team now, specifically Dinwiddie and Lin, will be on the team in November. But not saying they'll be traded either. It depends on stuff we have no idea about is brewing. All my opinion as none of us really know what's going to happen.

[MGrand15]

I guess Kenny just wants him to improve defensively for fun. Just for kicks.

I'm not the biggest fan of our PNR defense especially when RHJ is the big but there's a lot of exaggerating going on here.

We're NOT the only team that runs this. We've been very aggressive with the drop but that's essentially how Utah plays the PNR. 2nd best defensive team in the league. The Spurs are another. 4th best defensive team.

It's tough on guards but if you take the right angle and you have length, you can contest those mid range pull ups and floaters. The big defends the rim and everyone else can stay home.

Spurs have elite defenders all over the floor. spurs also trap a TON on wing down to baseline pick and rolls

Utah has the DPOTY and one of the tallest if not the talest/longest center in the league.

they can get away with that stuff.

Kenny is the coach. of course he wants to improve players... offense, shooting, defense. thats his job. but there is a difference between wanting to improve things and how much improving any one skill will help.

Russell becoming an above average defender wont mean jack shiznit if he cant be a scoring force and knockdown shooter

Watch on YouTube

Elite defenders all over the floor is a huge stretch for the Spurs.

The point is you have 2 teams in the top 4 playing drop on PNR. It's absolutely a viable option. Especially with Jarrett Allen who was a near elite rim protector by the numbers as a rookie. If your point is that you need talent for this scheme to work - that's true for any scheme.

Either way, with Allen, RHJ, Carroll, LeVert, Dinwiddie, Acy - we have some decent talent on the defensive end. If healthy, we should be a LOT better next year.

[Prokorov]

I guess Kenny just wants him to improve defensively for fun. Just for kicks.

I'm not the biggest fan of our PNR defense especially when RHJ is the big but there's a lot of exaggerating going on here.

We're NOT the only team that runs this. We've been very aggressive with the drop but that's essentially how Utah plays the PNR. 2nd best defensive team in the league. The Spurs are another. 4th best defensive team.

It's tough on guards but if you take the right angle and you have length, you can contest those mid range pull ups and floaters. The big defends the rim and everyone else can stay home.

Spurs have elite defenders all over the floor. spurs also trap a TON on wing down to baseline pick and rolls

Utah has the DPOTY and one of the tallest if not the talest/longest center in the league.

they can get away with that stuff.

Kenny is the coach. of course he wants to improve players... offense, shooting, defense. thats his job. but there is a difference between wanting to improve things and how much improving any one skill will help.

Russell becoming an above average defender wont mean jack shiznit if he cant be a scoring force and knockdown shooter

Watch on YouTube

Elite defenders all over the floor is a huge stretch for the Spurs.

The point is you have 2 teams in the top 4 playing drop on PNR. It's absolutely a viable option. Especially with Jarrett Allen who was a near elite rim protector by the numbers as a rookie. If your point is that you need talent for this scheme to work - that's true for any scheme.

Either way, with Allen, RHJ, Carroll, LeVert, Dinwiddie, Acy - we have some decent talent on the defensive end. If healthy, we should be a LOT better next year.

we have a team full of average to bad defenders. RHJ/Acy are the only legit good defenders. Allen was above average and inconsistent which is fine since he is a 19 year old rookie. Carroll plays hard but was average. Levert is below average to poor. outside of some steals, he really struggles. crabbe makes the best of what he has but is below avg. props to him for improving from terrible to where he is now. harris is below avg. dinwiddie and russell are below avg to bad.

the spurs have above avg to elite defenders all over. Utah is also loaded with defenders.

Utah/SAS have the last 2 Defensive Players of the Year on their roster.

Gobert is a 7'3" freak of nature.