Cavaliers: Caris LeVert gets a charge out of playing defense

Caris LeVert is wired to play defense. The Cavaliers swingman has the ability to enter a game and immediately change its complexion. "It starts with his defensive activity," Cleveland coach Kenny Atkinson said. "He's almost frenzied out there on defense. When he comes in, it's like an electric shock to the team." The 6-foot-6, 205-pounder is a leading candidate for the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year award. He's the first player off the bench for the Cavs, who have the best record in the league at 26-4 and are 9-3 on the road. "He comes in and brings a lot of energy," Cleveland center Jarrett Allen said. "He's been that way since I've known him. He comes off the bench and adds a spark to the team." LeVert is joined on the second team by Ty Jerome, Max Strus, Sam Merrill, Georges Niang and either Dean Wade or Isaac Okoro, who both missed the last game vs. Utah with injuries. Finding minutes for so many good players will be difficult, one of "the hardest parts of this job," Atkinson said. "We'll have to make sacrifices. Everyone is going to have to understand: There are not enough minutes for everyone. In my experience, it always seems to work out between injuries and the schedule. Our group is in a good enough place to handle whatever comes down the pike." Cleveland's stellar record will be tested on its four-game West Coast trip that starts tonight in Denver. The Cavs also play at Golden State on Monday, the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday and Minnesota on Jan. 3. They don't return home until Jan. 5 against Charlotte. "We're looking to test ourselves against the best," Allen said. Atkinson coached LeVert and Allen when they were with the Brooklyn Nets. The coach said LeVert has added strength since then, which has helped him become a defensive stalwart. Offensively, he's averaging 12 points, 2.8 rebounds and 4.0 assists. Throughout his career, his shooting has always been suspect. However, he's taken a gigantic leap in that area, as well, shooting .521 from the field and .462 from the 3-point line, both career highs. "He's cleaned up his shot profile," Atkinson said. "He's embraced the catch-and-shoot. As talented a creator as he is, he's understanding what efficiency looks like. All that combined, he's one of the best net ratings guys in the league. He's helped his value and our team's value as far as winning." LeVert, 30, said he was the first option in Brooklyn. That's no longer the case in Cleveland. "Here, I'm the beneficiary of great drives and great passes," he said. "I'm getting easier shots. Last year, we didn't have the system we have now. I was getting the ball with five or six seconds left and forced to make a decision. This year, it's better flow and better continuity. Now, I'm comfortable in my role." LeVert is sixth in the NBA in plus-minus rating. "I've been on the wrong side of that stat," he said. "It depends on who you are playing with, how many minutes you're playing with that group and how comfortable you are playing with that group. Obviously, it's good to be on the good side of that stat." At this stage of LeVert's career — this is his eighth season in the NBA — not many players are still improving their game. "Basketball is a sport where you can always get better," he said. "Your athletic ability might not be what it was but your skill set can take you over the top. The older you get, the better your skills get. As I get older, I want to continue to get better." Contact Bob Finnan at rfinnan30@gmail.com. Follow him @BobCavsinsider on X.