Los Angeles Lakers: 3 players that will improve the most heading into 2021
By Jason Reed
![LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 02: Alex Caruso #4 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts with Anthony Davis #3 during the second half against the Miami Heat in Game Two of the 2020 NBA Finals at AdventHealth Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on October 02, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. 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 Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images) LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 02: Alex Caruso #4 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts with Anthony Davis #3 during the second half against the Miami Heat in Game Two of the 2020 NBA Finals at AdventHealth Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on October 02, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. 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 Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/99f551fcd31de757ddb0f23ea4e3740d2a74246586f7e4d3cc71fb202d3a0b1f.jpg)
2. Alex Caruso
Outside of LeBron James and Anthony Davis, Alex Caruso is probably the biggest fan favorite on the Los Angeles Lakers. What started as a meme has turned into something completely different — Alex Caruso is a legitimate difference-maker.
Caruso was arguably the best defensive Laker in the NBA Playoffs not named Anthony Davis and his defensive impact was massive for the team’s perimeter defense. The Lakers faced elite guards in the likes of Damian Lillard, CJ McCollum, James Harden, Russell Westbrook, Jamal Murray and Jimmy Butler.
Caruso played a huge role in limiting all of those players.
The 2020-21 season is going to be a stepping stone for Alex Caruso. Caruso was really good in the NBA Playoffs when he got an expanded role but he did not have that expanded role in the regular season. He was getting 5.9 more minutes per game in the NBA Playoffs and got more impactful minutes.
The Lakers could be without several guards from last season and while there will be new players that come in to replace those players it will still open the door for Caruso to play an even bigger role on the team.
Caruso is going to cement himself as one of the best defensive guards in the league next season and will prove to all of the NBA fans that think he is just a meme that he is much more than that.