Steve Nash Reveals He Wants to Use Caris LeVert in a Manu Ginobili Role for Brooklyn Nets

The Brooklyn Nets have one of the strongest rosters for the 2020-21 season. Not only do they have two superstars in Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, but also a solid supporting cast, including Caris LeVert, Spencer Dinwiddie, DeAndre Jordan, and Jarrett Allen.

But the problem that comes with such a roster is deciding who starts. Coach Steve Nash, who was recently asked about this, hinted towards the possibility of LeVert missing the starting lineup.

But Nash still has plans for him.

“Still working through it. Caris is a starter. Will he start for us? I’m not sure,” Nash said.

“He’s so good with the ball in his hands. There’s a case to be made that he plays that [Manu] Ginobili role, where he’s clearly a starter. Manu played in All-Star games, started on the bench, ran the second unit, and closed games. We’ll see. We’ll see how it goes. It’s a great luxury to have.”

Can the Brooklyn Nets get the best out of LeVert in this role?

While he may have won the award just once, Manu Ginobili is among the greatest sixth men of all-time. Ginobili was the third-best player on the Spurs, but came off the bench for most of his career. His performance off the bench was crucial for the Spurs in the four rings that they won with him.

LeVert is arguably the third-best player on the Nets now. During the bubble last season, he 23.1 points and 7.8 assists in the absence of Durant and Irving. He has shown the potential to be a borderline all-star, and at 26, he will only get better.

If Nash can get the best out of LeVert, the Nets will have an elite bench scorer. Even when Durant and Irving are not on the court, they will still have a reliable option in LeVert.

The question is: will LeVert accept this role in the team? Many players make it clear they don’t like to be on the bench. The Nets will hope that he understands how he can be an asset to them in that role. Or else, Nash will be forced to change his plans and accommodate him in his starting lineup.

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