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