Lonzo's hitman Alex Caruso? Should he be on the roster? Update: signed!

RingsDontLie · Post #1 » by **RingsDontLie** » Tue Jul 11, 2017 11:44 am

So Lonzo hired Caruso to put the hit on Fox yesterday. I know it's just summer league but this guy showed a high level IQ against a top draft pick guard, and a three point shot that is worth taking a serious look at. His passing was jaw dropping today. Seriously did we just find our backup PG....or a good shooter that many of us have been saying we need? If anything this kid deserves a training camp invite. I'm just wondering if he can be something a long the lines of a really good backup. What we saw today could just be one summer league game...but it could be the start of something more. I like cerebral players like Caruso though that compete hard.

Watch on YouTube

Well Lakers signed him. Awesome!

stan francisco · Post #2 » by **stan francisco** » Tue Jul 11, 2017 11:52 am

If he can sustain the level he displayed yesterday, I don't see how we could not invite him.

But, it's just one game, sure. But also, then, one thing about brains and heart is that they don't come and go from game to game. Worth a longer look for sure, I think. Loved his interview!

LakersSoul · Post #3 » by **LakersSoul** » Tue Jul 11, 2017 12:14 pm

Hustle, defense, passing and 3 point accuracy. What more can we ask for?

Caruso will get an invite and if he continues to perform, I think he gets at least the 2 way contract. I originally thought Caruso was a bit slow but turns out to be an all defense team player in D/G-League last season. He shot 40% from 3 point range last season. He has heart, hustles and makes good/great passes. Caruso ended up with 4 steals, 9 assists and 18 points on the night while defending Fox and Mason.

After game interview:

Watch on YouTube

LakersSoul · Post #4 » by **LakersSoul** » Tue Jul 11, 2017 12:21 pm

According to coach Jud Buechler:

1. Caruso showed "next level stuff" going against Fox.
2. Bryant is energy guy, smart, hard worker plus outsider shot.
3. Nwaba high character, work ethics, strong defender plus offensive rebounds.

Watch on YouTube

LakersSoul · Post #5 » by **LakersSoul** » Tue Jul 11, 2017 1:25 pm

"White guy to white guy alley-oop"

Read on Twitter

Hunter103 · Post #6 » by **Hunter103** » Tue Jul 11, 2017 1:43 pm

It was one game. In the Summer League. But it was an impressive performance, and I think he gave a pretty good post-game interview talking up the FO. He may have played himself into a training camp invite at the very least.

Post #7 » by **snaquille oatmeal** » Tue Jul 11, 2017 1:45 pm

It's only one summer league game

Laker_Kid · Post #8 » by **Laker_Kid** » Tue Jul 11, 2017 2:26 pm

seems like a cool dude. hope a team takes a chance on him, if it turns out to be us, then that'd be cool too. he can take huertas' spot.

stan francisco · Post #9 » by **stan francisco** » Tue Jul 11, 2017 4:58 pm

He could be Rob and Magic's own Ginobili Cinderella story — Carusella.

Post #10 » by **TyCobb** » Tue Jul 11, 2017 5:00 pm

No. Come on now...

stan francisco · Post #11 » by **stan francisco** » Tue Jul 11, 2017 5:00 pm

snaquille oatmeal wrote:It's only one summer league game

Why can't you see he's our new savior, Snaq? Lol There's been so little to be excited about in FA.

Post #12 » by **Kilroy** » Tue Jul 11, 2017 5:46 pm

We have an opening and I think he's earned a longer look... Camp invite for sure... Maybe he doesn't make the final cut, but until we have someone better, he's pretty good and dirt cheap.

Dunkz · Post #13 » by **Dunkz** » Tue Jul 11, 2017 6:12 pm

The more dirt cheap young players on this roster the better. We need young guys that can develop so we can put most of the salary cap space in 2018 into max players.

Having the young rookies is really going to help here. im not sure how he might fit long term, but it can't hurt.

Post #14 » by **snaquille oatmeal** » Tue Jul 11, 2017 6:36 pm

stan francisco wrote:
snaquille oatmeal wrote:It's only one summer league game

Why can't you see he's our new savior, Snaq? Lol There's been so little to be excited about in FA.

Lol it was actually a snooty retort to the Lonzo is a bust comments after his first sl game

Hunter103 · Post #15 » by **Hunter103** » Tue Jul 11, 2017 6:49 pm

Cmon, it's not like we have anything else to overreact to at this point :-?

Post #16 » by **milesfides** » Tue Jul 11, 2017 8:38 pm

You can't deny this kid knows how to play. You can't teach some things: vision, timing, instincts, etc.

He should definitely be given an opportunity. I see a lot more in his game than Clarkson's.

Caruso is like a Golden State player. Like Livingston or Iguodala, he's got high bball IQ, good size, can play point, can shoot, etc.

I'm low key excited about these guys. It's just summer league, but man, these kids see the game in ways that would shame our seasoned vets the past 5 years.

With Ball, Kuzma, Caruso, I just like these dynamic players. It goes a long way to playing team, or winning, basketball.

stan francisco · Post #17 » by **stan francisco** » Tue Jul 11, 2017 9:21 pm

milesfides wrote:You can't deny this kid knows how to play. You can't teach some things: vision, timing, instincts, etc.

He should definitely be given an opportunity. I see a lot more in his game than Clarkson's.

Caruso is like a Golden State player. Like Livingston or Iguodala, he's got high bball IQ, good size, can play point, can shoot, etc.

I'm low key excited about these guys. It's just summer league, but man, these kids see the game in ways that would shame our seasoned vets the past 5 years.

With Ball, Kuzma, Caruso, I just like these dynamic players. It goes a long way to playing team, or winning, basketball.

Indeed. If you know how to move off the ball, you know how. Same with diving to the floor, same with anticipating defensive reactions etc.

Just one game indeed, but I'm excited about these kidsz

Levity · Post #18 » by **Levity** » Tue Jul 11, 2017 9:32 pm

If he doesnt latch on with us, he has the play style meant for euro ball.

Edrees · Post #19 » by **Edrees** » Tue Jul 11, 2017 10:13 pm

He may have had an advantage due to no scouting and nobody seeing it coming. So, "just one game" I will approach this guy with cautious optimism.

RingsDontLie · Post #20 » by **RingsDontLie** » Wed Jul 12, 2017 9:45 am

TyCobb wrote:No. Come on now...

He's a team player, and he looks like he can be a great shooter. You have to look at pieces...not everyone needs to be a star piece. Steve Kerr, John Paxon...great players in their role. That is what I see from this guy. It wouldn't hurt to sign the dude on a small contract even as a 3rd string player for the minimum and test him out. Test him out some games and see if he can earn minutes.