The Oklahoma City Thunder acquired Alex Caruso to bolster their rotation with yet another All-Defense wing. That move has paid dividends, as Caruso and Luguentz Dort have helped anchor an elite defensive team that's already begun to translate its success to the postseason.
Following the Thunder's first-round sweep of the Memphis Grizzlies, however, Caruso revealed his greatest value to the team: Perspective.
Caruso arrived in Oklahoma City having been named All-Defense in each of the past two seasons. That alone offered reason for intrigue, but it was his experience as a key contributor to a championship team that made him a captivating addition.
In an interview with Darnell Mayberry of The Athletic, Caruso explained how he's helped Oklahoma City maintain perspective by providing insight into his own experience as an NBA champion.
"It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done in sports. It just takes so many different things to go right and so many different players and coaches to have input and dictate the game. It isn’t something that’s easy. That’s the thing I’m trying to get to. I try to tell the guys, 'This is going to be the hardest thing you’ll ever do in sports.'"
Caruso continued, explaining that one of the ways he's tried to help the Thunder is by teaching them to forgive themselves for the ebbs and flows that come with a postseason series.
"...(I’m) just trying to keep them aware. I even told them [during Game 3] when we were on our comeback, we were down 12 or 13, we still had a long way to go. I came out and told them, 'We’re not going to be perfect for the rest of the game. We’re going to make mistakes. Play through it, and get to the next play.' That’s what the playoffs is about: competing at the highest level on each possession without thinking about the last one or the next one. I think that’s a special quality that this team has."
The Thunder are one of the most talented teams in the NBA, but even after a 68-win campaign, there's simply no way to know how to win a championship until you do.
Alex Caruso keeps Thunder honest, provides championship perspective
Caruso was a member of the Los Angeles Lakers when they won the 2020 championship. He played 24.3 minutes per game that postseason, starting the decisive Game 6 of the NBA Finals and playing 33 crucial minutes.
That experience has enabled Caruso to emerge as one of the most respected and valuable supporting players in the Association.
Five years later, Caruso has been a reliable source of value both on and off the court in Oklahoma City. He's further established himself as one of the best on and off-ball defenders in the NBA, all the while making his voice heard in the locker room.
That translated to Oklahoma City outscoring its opponents by an unfathomable 15.0 points per 100 possessions with Caruso on the court during the regular season.
Individually, Caruso amassed regular-season averages that translated to 13.2 points, 5.5 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 3.0 steals, 1.0 block, and 2.1 three-point field goals made per 36 minutes. Those numbers accurately reflect the type of veteran value he's provided.
Caruso has given the Thunder everything they've needed this season—including 23 points, 10 rebounds, six assists, and seven steals between Game 2 and Game 3 of the first-round series against the Memphis Grizzlies.
Moving forward, Oklahoma City will continue to rely on Caruso for production, defensive consistency, and veteran leadership. At 31, he's the oldest player on the team, as well as the only former NBA champion—truths and responsibilities that he's taken in stride.
The postseason is often the land of the stars, but it's players like Caruso who often prove to be the difference between a championship-caliber locker room and a pretender falling short.