Alex Caruso. 2020 NBA Champion. 2023 NBA All-Defensive First Team. Alex finished in the top 5 in deflections per game at 3.4 (tied with Herb Jones and just behind Paul George), top 10 in blocked shots for guards, and 3.3 stocks per 36 minutes.
Alex anticipates actions at such a high level. His heavy hands, fast feet, and quick flipping hips are great physical tools but when you factor in his tenacity, toughness, and incredible timing, you get an All-Defensive First team player. He seems to have plays, reads, pet moves, and counters at the ready in his mental rolodex and he uses the know-how to overcome distinct disadvantages. Most great defenders have a positive wingspan in the league but Caruso has a neutral wingspan and he makes up for that with his physicality and willingness to sacrifice his body in pursuit (sometimes literally running circles chasing a guy) of a defensive stop.
Zach Lowe referred to Caruso as “the league’s best per-minute guard defender - - a one-man turnover creator who can stand up most power forwards and offer some rim protection.” His timing and heavy hands and evident in what should likely be his signature move: the swipe down. His great feel for the game allows him to dislodge the ball without fouling and he’s got some stops on some great offensive players in this video: Donovan Mitchell, Lauri Markkanen, Mikal Bridges, Kawhi Leonard, Tyrese Haliburton, Julius Randle, Jimmy Butler, Paul George, Ja Morant, De’Aaron Fox, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Gordon Hayward, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Jaren Jackson Jr, Dejounte Murray, Bam Adebayo, LaMelo Ball, Jamal Murray, Steph Curry, Bradley Beal, Trae Young, and LeBron James.
My favorite sequences personally are when you can see Caruso in deny and he actually blows up the entire offensive possession by simply sitting on a side of his matchup and either dislodging them with his physicality or doing enough to disrupt the timing of the handoff and take the ball away.
At 8:54, AC chases Fred VanVleet and forces him to fumble on the catch = turnover.
Next, he chases Tyrese Haliburton on the chicago action and active hands = turnover. Next, he switches onto Zion Williamson on a CJ-Zion PnR and he fronts the post and picks it off = turnover.
Next, ISO post-up against Pascal Siakam, he stays steady, and as soon as Siakam brings the ball down, Caruso is on the floor to dislodge it.
Next, he digs at the nail on a Brogdon drive, closes out onto Jayson Tatum and forces him into a tough shot along the baseline = airball.
Next, ISO against Julius Randle at the right elbow, stays disciplined and forces a tough shot.
Next, fights over a drag screen to stay connected to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and forces a tough shot by moving his feet, maybe gets a piece of the ball.
Next, more hounding of Haliburton, forces a TOUGH stepback and misses.
Next, ISO on Jrue Holiday, moves his feet, and Jrue stumbles, Alex dives and saves the ball and the Bulls are going the other way.
Next, he closes out on Kelly Olynyk, moves laterally to completely cutoff Olynyk’s driving angle and his teammate Pat Williams is able to pick Kelly’s pocket.
Next, he helps on a Trae Young drive, moves his feet, forces a terrible shot.
Next, he picks up Steph Curry in semi-transition, stays disciplined, and forces a travel.
Next, he helps on a Giannis Antetokounmpo drive and forces another travel.
Next, he is harassing Trae Young against then rotates over and secures the steal against John Collins.
After that are maybe my two FAVORITE plays: the pulls the chair against Scottie Barnes on a post up and gets the steal and then does the same to Cole Anthony and Cole throws up a shot from the floor.
All clips are from the 22/23 season.
www.nba.com/stats/players/hus...
www.espn.com/nba/insider/insi...
If you'd like to support me:
Venmo - @Evin_Gual
Cash App - $EvinGual
Patreon - / evin_gual
Caruso and Lonzo on the floor together is a fucking masterclass. We have been robbed of one of the potentially best defensive duos of the decade and I'm so hurt as a Bulls fasn.v I hope Zo is back soon.
Evins first defensive highlight reel in over a year! We have been blessed! Much appreciated.
Had to make sure it wasn’t *just* steals & blocks so I went through every Caruso game so it took a minute to put together
Love these you should do Deanthony Melton
And Lakers chose THT🤦🏾♂️
Upside. THT is 6'5 with a 7'2 wingspan, and he was 20 at the time. Caruso got better since that decision, and he is pushing 30. Hindsight is 20/20.
@@ninjachannel007 Didn't need hindsight, it was obvious at the time. He played a crucial role on a championship NBA team and they didn't have a good replacement for him. I don't believe they win in 2020 without him. Stats won't show that but if you watch you see his impact in forced turnovers, deflections, charges, etc. Not to mention he turns on his offense button sometimes and pairs extremely well with Bron.
@@ninjachannel007and they traded THT too.😂😂😂
They thought Reaves is better than him lol
@@JasperAGreaves is better offensively and Alex is better defensively
Laker die hard here. When I see Caruso take his game to the next level it makes me extremely sad. Caruso is a generational defensive talent. If you watched the Lakers in 2019-2020 you saw his intangibles. He was already a great defender back then, now he is elite in his own category. I miss him. We have lost the defensive identity we once had. Yes we are still good but it is not near as to how we once were. He will always be a Laker legend for life. A champion. He is the creme de la creme. The best of the best. Bron said it best, Caruso is the GOAT. Perhaps he will be a Laker again, but the window is short. Now would be the time to go after him if the fates allow.
Lowkey need a Zo & Caruso Synergy Video! They had the best chemistry I’ve seen since Bron & Wade‼️
Stat wise, Best duo I've ever seen...not joking, Outscoring the other team by 33 points per 48 minute when they are on the floor at the same time...Their defense complements each other plus both of them have high IQ so they can generate a lot of offense for the team.. hence outscoring them..
DPOY caruso big W
He has been a 1st team level defender for about 4-5 years now. Glad he finally got his due.
The dude is a defensive pest on and off the ball. Mad respect for Carusso.
He's so good, one of my dream pick up on the mavs.
I am so convinced that Alex Caruso is just the better version of Marcus Smart in every aspect. Marcus Smart wasn't even the most impactful defender on his team the year he won DPOY, I'd say it was either Al Horford or Robert Williams. Caruso imo is the best defensive guard in the league, leads the league in LA-DRAPM. In two of the last three seasons his team finished top 5 in defensive rating, #1 in the 20-21' Lakers, and #5 in the 22-23' Bulls. He's #1 in defensive playmaking (combines steals, deflections, blocks, and offensive fouls drawn). Almost all impact metrics consistently have him as a top 10 defender in the league, not just amongst guards while Smart is no where to be seen. His playmaking is underrated asl, just gets overshadowed since DeRozan and Lavine are very ball dominant. And he's the more consistent shooter in comparison to Smart who will have games where he shoots like Andre Roberson and then the next game he starts shooting like Ray Allen. He should've been a finalist for DPOY at least once or nominated but the awards are just narrative driven these days, and that's been proven with the Jokic-Embiid race and Smart winning it last year.
Ya Smart did not deserve that DPOY award, he can hustle but I don't think he matches the IQ of Alex.
You made an excellent point. These rewards just don’t feel the same when they go to undeserving players.
I think Jrue Holiday matches Caruso for best on-ball defender in the league.
I love your clips!! Those are the only videos that allow me to fully digest a player's trait and to figure out hos game. In this video I was thinking about Caruso's sagging off player to help or double team, and how often he is successful in his helps. Next time I'll see him I'll have something new to look out for, all thanks to you evin!
Great video man 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Great upload...thanks
Caruso's basketball is touching
I’m so impressed by how far this dude has come. He was used like a spark plug on the lakers. Glad to see he’s way more than just that
Pretty sure he been tearing up courts his whole life don't believe the media
He's a great help defender.
GOAT
Love his defense
Goated vid, i know caruso would fit anyhere in NBA he's a team-first player
Defense master
COOKIES, BISCUITS, DELCIOUS!! 😂
We need a Davion Mitchell video next
Great defense I am bulls fans
Bald Mamba, we miss you.
Put out some Anthony edwards highlights
The best defender Chicago Bulls has had since MJ.
You are so precise
what Fking menace xD
Sixer at the Trade Deadline?
I still don't understand why the Lakers let him go and kept Horton-Tucker and the others.
why im proud to be a bulls fan (people are forgetting hes gonna be out 2023-2024 season.... thats his 2nd season now hes gonna be injured... 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭) (alex do be clamping himself doe)
Also how many times did the bulls play the raptors😂😂😂
3 regular season plus the play-in game...trust me, I had A LOT more clips vs the Raptors in the bag
I love it. Caruso owns Sam's raptors@@EvinGualberto
Ps I love you
Will CARUSO, lead the Bulls, to A championship? If NOT what? An east championship, or win A couple of playoff games?
COOKIES
Dpoy
Only good white perimeter defender in the nba