Last season, Chicago Bulls guard Alex Caruso solidified his standing as one of the league’s top defenders by earning a spot on the All-Defensive First Team. He’s hoping for a similar performance this season, but he’s not worrying too much about it. Caruso recently told NBC Sports Chicago that he was confident in his skills and that, although winning is wonderful, it doesn’t define him as a player.
Understands his core values
Caruso’s reputation as a tenacious defender existed even before he won the award last year. Coaches and teammates have commended Caruso for his defensive grit throughout his career, starting with the Los Angeles Lakers and continuing with the Chicago Bulls. The former Texas A&M standout didn’t receive any hardware until the previous season.
Caruso acknowledged the significance of taking home the same trophy this season. Furthermore, he admitted that it wasn’t his primary concern. Caruso asserted,
“It’s important to me. But at the end of the day, I know I’m one of the best defenders in the league, whether it’s recognized or not,” “It would be cool, obviously. And making first-team last year, I was pretty proud of that. I think having the respect of the guys I play against and the guys I battle against every night telling me that they enjoy playing against me because it’s a challenge and it’s competitive, that’s just as important as having a first- or second-team All-Defense award.”
Your nightly moment of Alex Caruso’s defensive brilliance.
Will Hardy screams for the DHO motion to occur on the left side, Caruso hears it, cheats up, sits on the planned skip pass, fast break the other way. pic.twitter.com/tVx1htiQkA
— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) March 7, 2024
Comment on the minimal requirements for games
The NBA’s decision to impose a 65-game requirement in order to qualify for awards has generated discussion and controversy among both players and spectators. While some contend that it is unjust to deny an award to a player for failing to participate in the required number of games, others feel that it filters out undeserving applicants.
Alex Caruso expressed his opinions on the subject by saying:
“I see both sides. If some guy plays 63 games but has been the best two-guard or center in the league for the whole season, it’s going to be a point of conversation.”
“I think, for the most part, it’s unlucky injuries that will keep guys off. And it sucks because for those guys who are making All-NBA teams or trying to go for MVPs, there’s some type of legacy that goes into it. For me, I’m going to make a couple All-Defense teams in my career and that will be the extent of it. I don’t perceive me making All-NBA or MVP running.”
Alex Caruso tonight:
11 PTS
3 REB
4 AST
4 STL
3 BLK
3 3PMFirst player in FRANCHISE HISTORY with those number in under 35 mins. 🧑🦲🐐 pic.twitter.com/ojzkHzoPMF
— BullsMuse (@BullsMuse_) March 7, 2024
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