Alex Caruso = Lakers Basketball

[Landsberger]

So, with that said, I would submit that our defensive woes are more to do with lineup issues. Every game we have different lineups on the floor. That's what "learning teams" do. We will never have a good or even decent defense until we settle on an 8 to 9 man rotation for 30 to 40 games in a row. It takes time to learn each other... and time to understand a system. Defense is about trust and consistency. Right now we have yearly "open auditions" so players are constantly playing with different teammates most of the time.

Yeah....that's a fair point. I agree it's prob fair to give this team till Jan before the book gets written.

I'd agree but the way Luke mixed and matched lineups last year leaves me wondering if he understands this. Lots of great young athletes play poor team defense and lots of old grizzled vets play good team defense (SA for example year after year). It's not about individual stuff rather understanding and teamwork. That gets lost on a lot of people in the defensive evaluation of teams. BS stats like steals and blocked shots don't help either.

[danfantastk32]

So, with that said, I would submit that our defensive woes are more to do with lineup issues. Every game we have different lineups on the floor. That's what "learning teams" do. We will never have a good or even decent defense until we settle on an 8 to 9 man rotation for 30 to 40 games in a row. It takes time to learn each other... and time to understand a system. Defense is about trust and consistency. Right now we have yearly "open auditions" so players are constantly playing with different teammates most of the time.

Yeah....that's a fair point. I agree it's prob fair to give this team till Jan before the book gets written.

I'd agree but the way Luke mixed and matched lineups last year leaves me wondering if he understands this. Lots of great young athletes play poor team defense and lots of old grizzled vets play good team defense (SA for example year after year). It's not about individual stuff rather understanding and teamwork. That gets lost on a lot of people in the defensive evaluation of teams. BS stats like steals and blocked shots don't help either.

And I don't even care if they are great defensively. Just be decent.

[Landsberger]

And I don't even care if they are great defensively. Just be decent.

Being just Bad would be a step in the right direction now....

[danfantastk32]

And I don't even care if they are great defensively. Just be decent.

Being just Bad would be a step in the right direction now....

Man aint that the truth. My god.

[milesfides]

http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2017/10/14/laker-film-room-alex-caruso-plays-pg/

Great interview with Alex Caruso.

His passing is really special. Like elite. I’m trying to think of NBA players who can deliver those kinds of passes: Harden, CP3 (although too ball dominant), Lebron, maybe Rubio...

But I’m not surprised that Alex outplayed Rubio; he’s already better because he’s a much better shooter.

Caruso reminds me of Steve Nash and Jason Kidd. The vision, the decisiveness, the variety, angles, and accuracy of his passes...except Alex is more athletic and can score. Not that he’s better a player than these hall-of-famers; he has yet to play in the NBA.

But skills-wise? Can’t deny that he’s special.

[lake_show]

Caruso has me feeling bipolar. When the Lakers extended a contract to Tyler Ennis I was kind of happy they gave him another opportunity, but now that we've gotten an opportunity to see Alex Caruso I'm a little upset we moved so quickly on Ennis lol.

Ennis did play well towards the end of the year. Caruso is just more skilled than him, I think. Being a pass first PG probably makes him a better fit behind Ball also. Just hope Luke doesn't go too hard on the "Ennis was here 1yr yr longer so he deserves more playing time" BS.

[Laker_Kid]

think we found our backup pg (for now)

[Slava]

Really like Caruso and hope we convert his two way to an NBA deal for 3 years on the cheap.

[sonic the laker]

Really like Caruso and hope we convert his two way to an NBA deal for 3 years on the cheap.

Ditto. I always liked his play, since seeing him in Summer League, and clips of him in the G-League. The first few times he got an opportunity, for the Lakers during the season, he played really timid and passive, which hurt his play. These last few times, he's played with more confidence, and it's showing in his improved play, on the court. Caruso is not a fast, or quick, guard. But, he has size at his position, can handle the ball, seems to be a decent shooter, is a solid defender, and can operate in/run half court offense.

I was hopeful Ennis would/could continue his productive play from last season, to this one. So far, he has been a HUGE disappointment. I believe it's time to give Caruso more/all of Ennis's minutes, and see if he can continue to deliver.


ZOOM!!!!!!

[milesfides]

The Lakers need to throw 30 mpg at Alex Caruso for the rest of the year.

Stop giving minutes to players who won’t be here next year, whose agendas are killing our chances to win as well as turning off free agents next summer.

Give AC Fresh a legit chance. He is passing, defending, and shooting 44% on threes (49% overall), on a team that desperately needs shooting, unselfishness, and defense.

And also leadership - on a team of teenagers, hired guns, and media whores.

This guy plays the game and conducts himself the right way. That is, dead ass serious. Need guys like that to change the culture of clowns and years of being a joke.

[larry14r]

The Lakers need to throw 30 mpg at Alex Caruso for the rest of the year.

Stop giving minutes to players who won’t be here next year, whose agendas are killing our chances to win as well as turning off free agents next summer.

Give AC Fresh a legit chance. He is passing, defending, and shooting 44% on threes (49% overall), on a team that desperately needs shooting, unselfishness, and defense.

And also leadership - on a team of teenagers, hired guns, and media whores.

This guy plays the game and conducts himself the right way. That is, dead ass serious. Need guys like that to change the culture of clowns and years of being a joke.

There is no way he gets 30 mpg especially when players are ahead of him.

[Laker_Kid]

time for ennis to take a hike

[TheHartBreakKid]

Caruso can be a good backup point guard....I think Luke needs to roll with one of Caruso or Ennis (obviously I prefer Caruso) as the backup point guard for the rest of the season, giving them a chance to prove themselves, rather than going with the other one as soon as one has a bad game or two in a row. Even the best players in this league have a bad game or two in a row. You need consistency to demonstrate your full capabilities. Caruso may not be a rotation caliber player in this league, but I would rather have him get the chance to really prove that, rather than him and Ennis flip flopping depending on whose hand is hotter, and both of them being off the team next year. Give Caruso the chance to prove himself...maybe he's the capable cheap backup point guard that we need, especially with big contracts expected to be given out to players who aren't capable of filling that role.

[Edrees]

The Lakers need to throw 30 mpg at Alex Caruso for the rest of the year.

Stop giving minutes to players who won’t be here next year, whose agendas are killing our chances to win as well as turning off free agents next summer.

Give AC Fresh a legit chance. He is passing, defending, and shooting 44% on threes (49% overall), on a team that desperately needs shooting, unselfishness, and defense.

And also leadership - on a team of teenagers, hired guns, and media whores.

This guy plays the game and conducts himself the right way. That is, dead ass serious. Need guys like that to change the culture of clowns and years of being a joke.

There is no way he gets 30 mpg especially when players are ahead of him.

There is when lonzo Ingram and KCP are all missing the same games

[larry14r]

time for ennis to take a hike

That's what the off-season is for. All we have to do is not guaranteed the second year of his deal.

[-Spyda-]

[TyCobb]

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I love the chemistry this team has...maybe we should just roll it over and force George and Bron to split the cap on a discount. Even bipolar Jules can stay.

[Wavy Q]

Thats a **** travel in that picture, Clarkson is trash.

[TylersLakers]

Caruso has about 20 days left on his two-way contract.

Which means, Tyler Ennis has a job for 20 more days. As soon as Lonzo is healthy and Caruso's two-way contract is up, Tyler Ennis will be released. And Thank God.

[stan francisco]

I've been meaning to start this thread for a while but figured if I wait a few more days, miles might do it.

I agree wholeheartedly. Steal. Plays both ends. Unafraid of anyone. Smart in interviews as on the court. Plays the 1-2-3 positions. Thinks the game the right way.

Drop Ennis, keep Caruso. And dump Lopez. Bryant can stretch the floor, needs some burn.