Alex Caruso Discussion: That's BULL

its called a hot streak n hes regressing to his mean, just like kuz,neither were exceptional 3pt shooters in college either

 

Well done.

 

If Caruso had more confidence (skill?) on offense... there would be zero debate who should be on the court at all times. In some ways he reminds me of Lonzo at the peak of his struggles... except without the court vision. Sure Alex can throw down that monster dunk once in a blue moon... but he is just as much a liability on offense because he's too timid to shoot or take it to the rim. I cannot deny Rondo's advanced stats are bad... but he does still produce assists at an elite level and at least he's not scared to attack at all times.

Rondo rebounds at 33% better rate per 36... he produces dimes at a 144% greater rate... he scores 12.6 per 36... while Alex scores 11.1, which is less than Lonzo scored last season.

Sure Caruso is more efficient on offense... but that's because he hardly tries to score. Think of the difference between Danny Green and Kobe. DG is much more efficient in terms of FG% but Kobe could put up 30 points a game. Rondo looks worse than Caruso because at least he's trying to score.
That's why I wanted to look into bringing back Lin, because he can at least penetrate and draw fouls on a consistent basis.

I love Caruso... but he must try to score. If he can't... then we are dealing with a Lonzo like liability on offense... without the long range pinpoint passes

AB won us the game last time... and Caruso must become capable of the same.

AB has been inconsistent, but at least there's hope he'll explode for some scoring.

With Caruso there is almost zero hope he'll score 20... and more often than not, not much hope he'll score 10

 

If he got Rondo’s minutes with consistency we would see more and more consistent scoring from him. IMO. Hard to be aggressive more often when he’s getting 9 - 14 minutes a game. With the inconsistent times he’s inserted into games. Still have confidence when the chips of the playoffs are on the table Vogel will go with what he feels are the best players all aspects of their games considered.

AD “likes” Bron. DUH. Bron likes Rondo fans tell us and probably true to an extent I’m sure. But Bron is demonstrably hell bent to win this championship and we know Bron loves the Eagle. So AD will go with what makes Bron happiest. I think.

 

That's why I used per 36 numbers. If you left Cook on the floor for 36... he'd at least score 16. Caruso only 11 or 12. Bradley scores 15... Daniels scored 16 points per 36. 11 is not good... especially if you aren't a pass first point guard who produces dimes at an elite level.

Even Pat Beverley produces more assists and rebounds than Caruso. Maybe that's the closest model for Caruso to follow... but as I said, I like Caruso and can see the spark he provides on defense... but he needs to become a better facilitator or scorer to be on the court for long periods

 

Former all defensive team guards offensive production per 36 minutes last 20 years

Marcus Smart 14.9 PPG 5.4 APG
Eric Bledsoe 20.4 PPG 7.1 APG
Jrue Holiday 20.2 PPG 7.1 APG
Chris Paul 20.0 PPG 7.7 APG
Victor Oladipo 17.7 PPG 4.1 APG (coming back from injury)
Avery Bradley 12.9 PPG 1.9 APG
Tony Allen 13.3 PPG 2.1 APG (using career numbers for retired or older players)
Kobe 25.0 PPG 4.7 APG
Rajon Rondo 12.6 PPG 8.8 APG
Raja Bell 12.7 PPG 2.2 APG
Jason Kidd 12.6 PPG 8.7 APG (Rondo's eFG is better than Kidd's by the way)
Larry Hughes 16.5 PPG 3.7 APG
Doug Christie 12.8 PPG 4.1 APG
Gary Payton 16.7 PPG 6.9 APG

Pat Beverley 10.3 PPG 5.0 APG
Alex Caruso 11.1 PPG 3.6 APG

The only defensive specialists who produce less on offense than Caruso is Pat who has more assists... and maybe if you count Bruce Bowen who was more of a forward. Rondo and Kidd didn't score much more... but they produced way more dimes.

 

caruso is 15-20mpg bench player. and a good one at that. he'd get exposed playing 30mpg and playing the bulk of it against starters, imo.

 

That may very well be. I think it's a good take. We would just like to see him get that 15-20 on a more regular basis and hopefully Vogel tells him that on the offensive side of the ball to not worry about missing or making a mistake. Just go out there and be aggressive offensively when the opportunity arises. I mean I'm sure Vogel knows what he's doing to give confidence. Just get the minutes up consistently into that range.

 

I'm not saying that Caruso is incapable of becoming a better scorer... it's just that he isn't yet.

Now that Lonzo tries to score, and succeeds at a better rate... he's becoming a valuable player again.

Caruso must make that effort to keep the defense honest, otherwise they are playing 4 on 5 on offense.

 

Yeah I understand what you're saying and abeer is saying also about him likely getting exposed with too many minutes or too many minutes against starters. Like Lonzo for short periods past couple of years as a Laker, Caruso has shown he has offensive skills including going to the rim, not needing to jam even, and finishing well and shooting well at the end of last year against some playoff teams with 30 minutes thereabouts a game. Flashes. It will be up to Vogel and I have confidence in him to pull the best out of AC as we head into the playoffs.

 

I remember the name. But was he ripped like AC?

 

AC gets a majority of his minutes in the 4th though.. That means a lot.

 

Yep

 

worst plus/minus on the team tonight, probably trade bait.

lucky to be on an NBA roster tbh

if it weren't for quota, he'd be bagging my groceries

 

That's the way to do it, Sirron.

He was Rondo-esque tonight.