Caris LeVert, Cavs believe they have best bench depth in NBA
INDEPENDENCE — For anyone who contends the Cavaliers are not as deep a team as the New York Knicks, Cleveland sixth man Caris LeVert has a counterargument.
“It’s important to control the second unit when we come in,” LeVert said after Thursday’s practice. “Obviously, they have a really good second unit. We’ve been hearing that all week.
“We feel like we have the best second unit in the NBA — with how we push the ball, how we share the ball, how we defend, our length and size. It’ll be fun to go up against those guys and really see where we’re at.”
LeVert added he has heard praise about New York’s bench from “everybody” in the buildup to the first round of the NBA playoffs. The guard from Columbus added, “I take everything as a challenge.”
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The test will begin when the Eastern Conference’s fourth-seeded Cavs (51-31) face the fifth-seeded Knicks (47-35) in Game 1 of a best-of-seven series at 6 p.m. Saturday at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
In the regular season, Knicks bench players tied for third in the NBA in plus-minus rating (1.4), and their Cavs counterparts were sixth (1.2). Knicks reserves tied for fourth in net rating (1.9), and Cavs backups were sixth (1.6).
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Still, Cavs forward Jarrett Allen endorsed LeVert’s claim.
“Caris doesn’t say those things lightly,” Allen said. “From our second unit, Caris, Cedi [Osman], Dean [Wade], we have defenders, and we have have people that know their role. We have people that know how to share the ball. So I believe that they are one of the best.”
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Allen and LeVert have been in the playoffs together with the Brooklyn Nets (2019 and 2020).
“My role is a lot different than it was the last time I was in the playoffs,” LeVert said. “I think it’s been fun to lock in more on the defensive side of the ball, and playing off [guards] Darius [Garland] and Donovan [Mitchell].
“I feel like I’ve had the parts of my game that I have now. I just haven’t been asked to do it.”
Correct.
Cavs coach J.B. Bickerstaff has tasked LeVert with leading the second unit, and he’ll play a crucial part in determining whether his words prove to be true against the Knicks.
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Nate Ulrich can be reached at [email protected]. On Twitter: @ByNateUlrich.
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