Nets news: Caris LeVert looking to add ‘elongated cross-step separation’ to his arsenal

Nets forward Caris LeVert is looking to reinvent his game and build off of his successful, albeit injury-shortened, 2018-19 season.

Brooklyn Nets forward Caris LeVert, entering his fourth year in the NBA—all with the Nets—is looking to reinvent his game and build off of his successful, albeit injury-shortened, 2018-19 season.

Speaking about LeVert, point guard Spencer Dinwiddie's trainer, Olin Simplis, mentioned working out with the Brooklyn teammates and how the former Michigan Wolverine standout is trying to improve.

Per Ian Begley in SNY:

[LeVert's] doing some of the same things I had Spencer [Dinwiddie] doing as well when he comes. Two-foot finishes, creating off the dribble, working on the quick side-step separation. And the elongated, one-two separation. Because they also get the ball at the end of the shot clock. We worked on that last summer with Spencer. I think he had a couple game-winners with the elongated cross-step separation. So, we're really putting it into his arsenal more this summer. Because he did have a lot of end of shot-clock possessions last year.

He's dynamic himself (just as Dinwiddie is); there's so much synergy between those guys. They can play off the ball, they can play on the ball, they can be catch and shoot guys, they can be playmakers, they can be pick and roll (initiators). They can do so many different things, which kind of makes it scary that you added Kyrie to the mix.

LeVert had a breakout season with Brooklyn last season before he missed the middle chunk of the year with a dislocated right foot in November. The 24-year-old would return for the Nets in February. LeVert, who portends to be a crucial two-way player alongside All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving and two-time Finals MVP forward Kevin Durant once the latter is healthy, averaged 13.7 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game in 40 appearances, shooting 42.9% from the field, 31.2% from 3-point range, and 69.1% from the free throw line.

LeVert figures to be a glue piece with Irving, Durant, and other addition one-time All-Star center DeAndre Jordan. Returning players for the Nets include Jarrett Allen, Dinwiddie, and shooting guard Joe Harris.