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Los Angeles Lakers: Breaking down each player’s role this season

By Kent Coleman

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 20: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates with Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers after shooting a three point basket to win the game over Denver Nuggets in Game Two of the Western Conference Finals during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on September 20, 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 Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 20: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates with Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers after shooting a three point basket to win the game over Denver Nuggets in Game Two of the Western Conference Finals during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on September 20, 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 Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Kim Klement-Pool/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

High IQ, Defensive Grit: Alex Caruso & Marc Gasol

Alex Caruso has earned his spot. Digging down and climbing his way up as an undrafted rookie, to the G-League, to two-way contracts, to being a solid rotation player on a championship team. Heck, the dude even started the championship-clinching game last year!

He didn’t get there by averaging a million points and assists or hitting every shot he took, no, he got there by making the right play every time and playing his heart out every possession. His play is a prime example of the grittiness Vogel has preached since day one as the Lakers coach.

It’s fascinating to watch Caruso play because he doesn’t really look like he’s doing anything special, and he’s not per se, but he is always involved, active and engaged.

That focused, no-nonsense, unglamorous play is contagious, and every championship team needs it. He embodies it, and this season he’ll get to play alongside one of this generation’s OG’s of that style, Marc Gasol.

Gasol made his career playing on the Grit-and-Grind Grizzlies in the early 2010s. He made the All-Defensive Team and even nabbed a Defensive Player of the Year trophy for his efforts in 2013. Just ask LeBron!

These two will be doing all the dirty work this year; being in the right place at all times, playing hard-nosed individual defense, Caruso will probably dive on the floor at least once a game. It will be beautiful to watch their intensity and energy rub off on everyone else.

I suppose I’ll throw Markieff Morris in here as well, but he is definitely not the same level of IQ as Gasol and Caruso. I like to call Morris’ play “Lunch Pale” because of its blue-collar, hardworking, a little mean, bruising style. Expect these three to lead the charge doing the dirty work.

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