- Report: Lakers expected to be in the mix for Blake Griffin
- LeBron James offers ecstatic reaction to David Fizdale leaving Lakers for front office position on Jazz
- Chris Broussard questions John Wall’s decision to sign with the Clippers: ‘I think he would’ve been better off going to the Lakers’
- Report: Lakers coaching staff and front office want to see it work with Russell Westbrook in Los Angeles
- Report: Lakers guard Russell Westbrook will exercise his option for the 2022-23 season
- Report: High-ranking people believe Kyrie Irving joining the Lakers could still be on the table
- Malik Monk says he’s open to taking less money to stay with Lakers
- Report: Kyrie Irving could be willing to sign with Lakers for $6 million mid-level exception
- Report: Lakers are only team eyeing Kyrie Irving via sign-and-trade, but Nets aren’t believed to have interest in available deals
- Report: Sources ‘very’ close to the situation ‘strongly’ believe Kyrie Irving is trying to make his way to the Lakers
Alex Caruso Ranks Just Behind Giannis Antetokounmpo in Impressive Defensive Statistic
- Updated: September 2, 2020
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Los Angeles Lakers fan favorite Alex Caruso has carved out a major role in his third season in Los Angeles.
Caruso, 26, played 18.4 minutes per game for the Lakers during the regular 2019-20 season. Throughout the season, he showed great effort on the defensive end and has become a defender that his teammates can depend on.
In fact, Caruso is just behind newly minted NBA Defensive Player of the Year award winner Giannis Antetokounmpo in a very important defensive statistic.
The 6-foot-5 guard has allowed opposing All-Stars to shoot just 32.0 percent from the field when he guards them in the half court this season.
According to Second Spectrum, Giannis Antetokounmpo allowed opposing All-Stars to shoot 31.9% in the halfcourt this season as the closest defender. That's the best in the NBA among 228 players to defend 40+ attempts. pic.twitter.com/cO8HQwGJla
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) September 2, 2020
The Lakers will certainly need Caruso to be a defensive stopper as they continue their run in the postseason.
They will face either the Houston Rockets or Oklahoma City Thunder in the second round. The Rockets have two All-Star caliber guards in Russell Westbrook and James Harden, while the Thunder have star point guard Chris Paul.
Regardless of who wins in Wednesday’s Game 7 between the Rockets and Thunder, Caruso will surely have a tough defensive assignment in the second round of the 2020 NBA Playoffs.
Luckily, it looks like he’s up to the challenge.
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