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Alex Caruso shares a peek into his defensive mentality
A lot goes into playing superb defense at the NBA level. It takes a special set of skills and mentality to be able to stay in front of the best players in the world on a nightly basis. Alex Caruso, the Chicago Bulls’ defensive ace, is one of those special talents who seems to have an innate understanding of what it takes to excel at defense.
His skills were tested to the hilt on Wednesday night as Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal, and the Phoenix Suns strode into town. Alex, though, did not disappoint as he held his own against KD. After the game, Caruso shared a peek into his approach when defending high-level scorers like the former NBA MVP.
Make them feel uncomfortable
Caruso acknowledges that even on his best day as a defensive player, NBA stars can still drop 30 points on him. So, the best he can do is to make players like KD, LeBron, and Steph Curry feel uncomfortable on the court.
“Just climbing into their air space,” Caruso said when asked about his approach to defending some of the NBA’s biggest stars.
“A lot of these guys are such good players in the league, you let them have the rhythm and playing on their accord, it just turns into a summer workout and drill and they rise up on their spot and shoot,” Caruso continued.
“So for me, try to push them off different angles. Just try to get them off their normal looks they see every night. Obviously, I need some help since the guy is seven foot and can shoot every time he wants. But working early and trying to make it as difficult as possible.”
Tony Allen-like
Bulls wingman DeMar DeRozan added that the most accurate comparison to Caruso’s defensive style is 'Tony Allen-like,' referring to the former Memphis Grizzlies guard, who was named to the league’s All-Defensive team six times.
“It’s so much with a guy like Alex, the awareness, the anticipation, the hand speed, understanding angles, shooting gaps, student of the game. There are so many elements that you just don’t see. The last guy that I can remember who was everywhere like that was Tony Allen. You don’t see guys like that. That’s what makes him one of a kind when it comes to the defensive side of the ball,” DeRozan said.
