As we know: Thunder is an extremely young team, with a leader who is 26 years old and few veterans. So Alex Caruso Who, at 31, is the oldest player in the workforce!
Recovered last summer in exchange for Josh Giddey, the “Bald Mamba” brought a lot to Oklahoma City. Both on the ground, where its defensive qualities have further advanced this group, that outside, where its desire to always place the team first fits perfectly with what Mark Daigneault.
“It is not so much what he says, but how he says it and that he accomplished who counts”,, explains the coach. “He is simply all the time at the heart of the team, he is so focused on the team, so much focused on the team – and he always acts – that it gives him immense credibility. »»
But as with everything in Alex Caruso's career, it came with work.
Adapt, in the field and outside
“I had to learn to be a leader. I had to learn that people communicate, understand, interpret and absorb information in a different way ” he details like this. “I learned that while spending time with them, on the plane, on the road, during dinners, during the matches, crossing different situations, seeing how they react to certain things. And it's really worth for everyone. »»
The former Lakers and Bulls knows that he can be very direct with the happy Jaylin Williamswho will never take things in a personal way. With Aaron Wigginsmore reserved and more in the analysis, it is worth however better discussing calmly, in head-to-head, on specific points.
“But I'm still a teammate. I am always a player of the team so I must above all go on the field with the other four guys and interact, mix with them and build this alchemy “” he recalls anyway. “This is what I focused on first, because it is the most important thing. All other things, such as helping them gain experience and other things, are important. But getting to know guys on the ground and playing well with them, that's what really matters the most. ”
Obviously, but if we are also able to do both, and do it well …
| Alex Caruso | Percentage | Rebound | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | Lf | Off | Def | Early | PD | Fte | Int | COP | Ct | Pts |
| 2017-18 | Lal | 37 | 15 | 43.1 | 30.2 | 70.0 | 0.4 | 1.4 | 1.8 | 2.0 | 1.4 | 0.6 | 1.1 | 0.3 | 3.6 |
| 2018-19 | Lal | 25 | 21 | 44.5 | 48.0 | 79.7 | 0.8 | 1.9 | 2.7 | 3.1 | 2.2 | 1.0 | 1.7 | 0.4 | 9.2 |
| 2019-20 | Lal | 64 | 18 | 41.2 | 33.3 | 73.4 | 0.3 | 1.7 | 1.9 | 1.9 | 1.5 | 1.1 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 5.5 |
| 2020-21 | Lal | 58 | 21 | 43.6 | 40.1 | 64.5 | 0.5 | 2.4 | 2.9 | 2.8 | 1.9 | 1.1 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 6.4 |
| 2021-22 | Chi | 41 | 28 | 39.8 | 33.3 | 79.5 | 0.8 | 2.8 | 3.6 | 4.0 | 2.6 | 1.7 | 1.4 | 0.4 | 7.4 |
| 2022-23 | Chi | 67 | 24 | 45.5 | 36.4 | 80.8 | 0.6 | 2.3 | 2.9 | 2.9 | 2.4 | 1.5 | 1.1 | 0.7 | 5.6 |
| 2023-24 | Chi | 71 | 29 | 46.8 | 40.8 | 76.0 | 0.9 | 3.0 | 3.8 | 3.5 | 2.5 | 1.7 | 1.4 | 1.0 | 10.1 |
| 2024-25 | Okc | 54 | 19 | 44.6 | 35.3 | 82.4 | 0.7 | 2.2 | 2.9 | 2.5 | 1.9 | 1.6 | 0.7 | 0.6 | 7.1 |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = minutes; Shots = successful shots / tempted shots; 3pts = 3-point / 3-point attempted; LF = Successful free throws / tempted free throws; Off = offensive rebound; Def = defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; PD = assists; FTE: Personal faults; Int = interceptions; BP = lost bullets; CT: against; Pts = points.
