Los Angeles Lakers: 3 reasons why Alex Caruso is more than a meme

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 25: Alex Caruso #4 of the Los Angeles Lakers blocks a shot from Lonzo Ball #2 of the New Orleans Pelicans during the second half at Staples Center on February 25, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

2. Alex Caruso is a career 37.5% three-point shooter

You’ll never confuse Alex Caruso for Steph Curry. However, despite his relatively middling shooting for the season (35.5%), for his career, he’s a 37.5% three-point shooter.

He’s also been very good at catch-and-shoot three-pointers this season, hitting them at a 38% clip (63rd percentile). Coupled with the fact that he’s often left open (81st percentile openness rating) as an afterthought by opposing defenses, Caruso will have ample opportunity to punish defenses with his shooting.

His season-long three-point shooting statistics also don’t quite reflect how well Caruso was shooting in more recent times.

After a putrid start to the season (25.0% in October and 27.4% in November), here are The Bald Eagle’s three-point shooting splits month-by-month:

December: 42.3%
January: 36.8%
February: 38.1%
March: 50.0%

For those who are curious, that’s a 40.0% three-point shooting clip over four months of basketball. Coupled with his hot shooting to start his NBA career and throughout his G-League career (two out of three seasons shooting at or above 38.7% on threes), daring Alex Caruso to shoot open threes could have dire consequences for opposing defenses.

With all the minutes he’s slated to get in Bradley’s and Rajon Rondo’s absences and with LeBron James distributing the ball, he’ll have plenty of opportunities to do so.

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