Am I the only around here, who would rather have Caruso instead of Ennis running the second unit? I think Caruso is the second coming of Steve Blake and we all know my thoughts on that, but Ennis/Clarkson is just a black hole disaster for the 2nd unit. Caruso will actually run the offense and make some hustle plays. Ennis just dribbles and will pass around the perimeter and get torched defensively.
I don't think Ennis is THAT bad on D, but Caruso actually looks like he could develop into a solid defensive player. He is more prone to silly mistakes than Ennis, but he makes 1-2 impact plays on defense each game it seems. Steve Blake before his Lakers days wasn't so bad.
Nope, I totally agree Doc. I'm starting to really like Caruso's play. I like his defense actually as well as his offense. If he continues to play this way he should be the first PG off the bench.
I'm with this. Sometimes he makes plays that just make me shake my head... He had a layup in Denver he tried to c*** back for some weird reason instead of just passing the ball and he got it sent into the outskirts of Ontario. But he's actually quite athletic despite looking like a bagger at a grocery store and I think with more time he can be a solid player. I doubt we see it this year because of his contract situation, but I'm glad he was given the opportunity to play in the last game.
I thought Ennis looked great the first couple pre-season games and then this last one he was awful. I'm not against giving Caruso more minutes to see if he really is better for us than Ennis, but I'm not giving up on Ennis yet.
Caruso will run the offense, just works but he pulls some nonsensical stuff on the floor. Tapping the ball when you could have just grabbed it? A bounce pass to Ingram when he had two defenders on him? Dribbling it off himself? One step forward...two steps back. I hope Ball holds up the whole season because whoever his backup will be is a steep drop.
I'm not sure who should be the backup. Ennis is more steady. Can't really shoot. Caruso played nice tonight, but was completely outplayed vs Denver and looked disinterested. Caruso has more upside, but Ennis will probably make less mistakes. And I get the feeling we're gonna need one of them to start about 30 games. #BallisBrittle
This is why I was really hoping for rondo or Rose because of their PG experience, they would have been the perfect backups.
Of the two...I like Caruso (believe it or not). Not that much mind you but at least he can shoot a bit outside. Even had a running banker that went in. Taller, will play his tail off. Caruso had a good lead pass to Randle and another alley-oop that just missed. Lopez should have had that one... Those maddening turnovers though. In the end, I think Ennis will stay.
I like Caruso as the backup actually. He's more dynamic. Makes things happen offensively, and hustles on D.
That's exactly what he's doing. He's not pushing anything. He took over Ingrams job of bringing the ball up the court. And he'll loft up a shot every other game that misses badly. He'll get to the rim occassionally. No opposing coach is worried about Ennis.
You questioned how anyone will set up Kuzma on the second team and Caruso would probably do that. Ennis will dribble around and hand it off. I agree with your take about his shooting off the dribble drive. No touch...just a fling.
Caruso had a lot of nice passes tonight. I'm definitely not against Kuzma in the game with Caruso. But if Randle and Clarkson are on the court too, it's more than my patience can handle.
Either Jackson or the other announcer said Caruso can be with us for 45 days. The clock starts when the G league season starts and clock ends when the G league season ends. I didn't know that. Really a cool developmental tool for a guy like Caruso.
Randle is unselfish but will likely run with the first team. Clarkson is the one I would be concerned about... The latter was at least not o.o.c. (out of control) tonight.