For the first time in his NBA career, Caris LeVert was an opening-night starter, getting the nod Wednesday night at shooting guard for the Brooklyn Nets against the Detroit Pistons.
LeVert didn’t disappoint, matching his career-high with 27 points and very nearly pulling the Nets back from a 13-point second-half deficit before the Pistons hung on for a 103-100 victory.
In training camp, teammates and coaches were raving about LeVert’s development from last season. The lightning-quick first step, the herky-jerky moves as he drove to the basket, the soft touch while protecting the ball until just before committing to the shot — all of it was on display.