The second-most surprising player on the Los Angeles Lakers: Alex Caruso
Real Lakers fans knew that heading into the 2019-2020 season, Alex Caruso was a solid player. Last year, after the All-Star break, he was given his first real opportunity to play extended minutes. Caruso took advantage by averaging 11 PPG, 4 APG, and a stellar 47 3P%.
Many Lakers supporters wanted Caruso to start at the point guard position over Avery Bradley. We thought that Alex “The Headband” Caruso was the best available option, a well-built guard who’d be able to initiate the offense when needed and switch between multiple positions on the less glamorous side of the ball. We had no idea that he’d somehow mutate into a destructive force of nature on defense. Caruso’s ball-hawkery was a huge surprise.
“The Headband” wasn’t just the Lakers’ second-best wing defender (more on number one in a minute); he was one of the best wing defenders in the entire association. A genuine menace on defense.
- Defensive Rating (minimum 15 MPG): 100.3 (10th in the NBA)
- ESPN’s Defensive Plus-Minus: 1.54 (20th in the NBA)
- Defensive Win Shares: 0.098 (73rd in the NBA) Note: Alex Caruso is one of only two players in the top 75 who averaged less than 20 MPG.
Alex Caruso was more than just another Chris Paul-type advanced stats god, someone who the numbers loved, but whose lofty statistics never led to meaningful wins. When Alex was on the court, good things always seemed to happen.
Caruso showed throughout the season that he has an innate ability to continually be in the right place at the right time on defense. The Lakers were much better when Caruso was on the court.
It takes a little luck to build a title contender in the NBA, and Rob Pelinka was fortunate to sign Alex Caruso to a measly two-year, $5.5 million deal. His ability to shut down opposing guards had a considerable impact on the Lakers’ win total this year. In the end, “The Headband” finished the season with a 5.0 net rating, good for second on the squad.