Alex Caruso: The ultimate X-factor against the Suns and in the playoffs

Every Los Angeles Lakers fan should love Alex Caruso! There is something to him that makes you just appreciate each and every time he enters the game. Caruso is like an onion. As Shrek once said, onions have layers and so does Alex Caruso.

There are multiple layers to his ability and what he brings to the Lakers and the NBA. In case you do not know what I am referring to, perhaps all you had to do was watch the other night’s victory against the Golden State Warriors. In case you didn’t see it, let me recap it a bit.

Caruso was the ultimate difference-maker in that game. Of course, LeBron and Anthony Davis were as well, but Caruso brought something ultra special to that game the other night against the Warriors.

After all, he scored 14 points, had 3 rebounds, 3 steals, and two assists. All solid numbers for a player coming off of the bench in such an important game plus he shot 6 out of 12 from the field, including 2 out of three from three-point.

Most importantly, he made a huge defensive play against the great Steph Curry down the stretch which resulted in the Warriors turning the ball over and the Lakers getting it back.

Alex Caruso is a player that makes a difference.

Alex Caruso has been so important when he comes into the game against the Phoenix Snus. He has been guarding Devin Booker and Chris Paul. In either case, he has done a very good job at keeping the heat on them both.

Of course, we know how good of a player Booker is and it is almost nearly impossible to hold him down.  He has been a very big piece of the offensive system as he moves the ball around and up and down the floor.

Last night he only may have scored four points, but he did spend a lot of the time helping move the ball on offense and playing defense as well as all-out hustling and of course closing the game out with that ridiculous slam dunk! In Game 1, he contributed with 10 points.

MORE: Lessons from Game 2 victory over the Phoenix Suns

Whether it is an up-tempo game very much like we saw against the Warriors or more of a slowed-down type of game, Caruso will is important. He can play in any system at all and be a factor. We see him slash to the basket or shoot the three-point shot as he moves the ball up and down the court quickly and with efficiency.

Having him come off the bench is probably one of the most valuable things for the Lakers as no other team seems to possess a player like him that can do so many things. The Lakers know that they can always count on him when it comes down to it and the game goes into crunch time. Every team that the Lakers will face in the Western Conference playoffs will have to be aware of him and be on high alert.

You can say whatever you want about him and about the numbers he puts up but guess what? This guy is one of the most important players on the Lakers roster as well as being one of the most cerebral and unselfish.

It’s players like him that make other players look better and become better. I only wish the NBA had more players like him. It goes to show you how you can never judge a player by his numbers or where he played college ball. None of it matters.

Alex Caruso is the ultimate underdog and teams never seem to see him coming. The Oklahoma City Thunder are to thank for this. After all, they waived him back in 2016-2017. Another great move by the Lakers!