He's a non crazy Pat Beverly. If you take away the reputations and histrionics they both have very similar strengths and weaknesses. Beverly better on ball defender but Caruso is a better rotational defender. Average 3 point shooters, can provide some other offensive tricks once in awhile, not a classic Dragic PnR PG but more of a secondary ballhandler
Caruso makes the right play. Beverley will laugh and trash talk if YOU make the wrong play. I know who I like more.
Is Bev actually a good defender? He's all histrionics no substance to me. Sure he's persistent I guess, but is he actually effective? I dont see much similarities between the two.
Caruso pilfers so many passes just dropping down to cover the cutter. Active hands, great anticipation. Counted two tonight. Even had a pair of treys. Drew a couple of charges, nice dime to Davis for the flush. Still waiting for his perimeter shot to drop some. At least Caruso is not Green bad.
He just does so many little things that dont show up on the stat sheet. Deflections, draws charges, proper rotations, down screens, cuts, etc.
Deserves this championship. What a story, man, what a story! No one wanted this guy, but we gave him the chance.
His defensive IQ is off the charts, like star-level, seriously. Offensively, he's smart too, but he's timid. I don't think he'll ever be great offensively, you either have that kind of swagger or you don't (but he can become a better 3-pt shooter for sure). However, watching those little snippets of his defense after the game really makes you appreciate him more. It's easy to miss what he does during live game. He's really directing traffic there, showing Bron where to go while being able to effectively cover 2 (!) players and challenge the final shot.
Can Caruso get better? Or is this as good as he's going to be? I mean if he has another gear after this...he's a starting point guard in this league. Right now, he's approaching Derek Fisher territory...he's such a smart player and he's only gotten better in the playoffs. Like others have said - he has made us completely forget Lonzo.
Back pedaling as fast as he could go defending above the key I forget who with a head of steam on a fast break, who also deliberately makes contact with that head of steam and Caruso back pedaling .... sends AC flying to the floor. And Van Stoopid Gundy calls it a flop. Physics he has no clue about. MOron.
Caruso is also a very smart player where Beverly is not. Beverly isn't a dumb player, but he isn't going to make the little plays that lead to plays. Caruso makes the right basketball plays time and time again. The simple screen to let a guy get loose for a roll to the basket. Getting into the position to receive a pass that will lead to another pass. He does these things constantly. It's the main reason Lebron loves him. He is a very smart player. Beverly is just balls to the wall on defense. He's never going to make the high IQ play.
Oh no, Caruso can definitely get better. I think Caruso needs to watch every tape of Bruce Bowen(also undrafted) and mimic his career to a T. Caruso's D can only get better on D but he is already damn good. If he starts hitting 3 pointers on the regular? Bruce Bowen is who he will be(With better free throw pct) and the Lakers have a massive gem on their hands.
