3 reasons Caris LeVert should start at shooting guard for Cavs

3 reasons Caris LeVert should start at SG: More size at the 2

The Cavs want to overwhelm their opponents with size. That’s a big part of how they ended up starting three seven-footers across the frontcourt, and it worked out for them. They started the season with the 6’1″ Collin Sexton starting at the 2, but when he went down they pivoted away to putting a much larger player at the 2, be it the 6’5″ Isaac Okoro as the regular starter or the 6’6″ Lamar Stevens as his replacement for a few games.

Clearly, head coach J.B. Bickerstaff and the Cavs’ coaching staff would prefer to have size at shooting guard, and that’s where Caris LeVert steps in. He’s the tallest of the available options and plays with size, bullying smaller players as he gets into position or works to his spot.

Defensively LeVert’s size helps to paper over his very poor defensive tools; even if he and Sexton are similar levels of defenders, his size makes him more impactful on the defensive end. Playing and starting LeVert at the 2 also reduces the time he will spend at the 3, a configuration that would completely wreck their defensive backbone.