Brooklyn Nets: 3 takeaways from 2018-19 season opener

3. Caris LeVert is here to stay

You heard it from virtually everyone around the Nets: Caris LeVert is poised for a breakthrough in 2018-19. It wasn’t hard to see for those who analyzed LeVert closely, but it was pleasing to watch Wednesday night.

From rangy defense to multi-layered scoring to pinpoint playmaking, LeVert’s fingerprints were all over this game. Every big run the Nets went on usually involved his array of skills. Though those runs were sparse, LeVert made a huge mark on the game. He did virtually everything, chipping in four rebounds and four assists in addition to his high-scoring night.

His penetration was quite helpful for creating space in head coach Kenny Atkinson’s system, especially when Spencer Dinwiddie shared the floor with him. Spacing was mostly sufficient, but LeVert didn’t exactly fire away too much. His job was to run the attack when D’Angelo Russell sat, which was probably the right move.

Although he doesn’t look like a true alpha yet, he certainly played like one as the team’s leading scorer with 27 points. Despite the team’s surplus of guards, LeVert seemed like the only bright spot of anyone on the perimeter. Yes, Dinwiddie score 23 points, but they were an ugly 23.

Let it also be noted that Caris LeVert closed the game over Russell. Atkinson clearly trusts his two-way prowess. LeVert certainly earned his minutes, and should look to keep them for the games to come.