Alex Caruso sends message to Thunder fans ahead of preseason home opener vs Rockets

This new-look OKC Thunder team may be kicking off their preseason expedition on the right foot with a 1-0 record, but they have yet to be welcomed and cheered for by their wonderous home crowd out at Paycom Center.

Wednesday will provide the franchise with their first opportunity to play host since Game 5 of the 2024 Western Conference Semifinals, as the Houston Rockets will be venturing northbound for a bout against the reigning top seeds.

While for many on the roster, the raucous environment and overflowing amount of radiated love emitted by the franchise's faithful followers is nothing new, for some of the club's fresher faces it's something they've yet to experience for themselves.

Their upcoming preseason matchup against Houston may only serve as an appetizer to the main course that is the regular season energy felt from the home crowd, but it's still something offseason acquisition, Alex Caruso is outwardly excited to experience for himself.

Alex Caruso talks excitement ahead of Thunder preseason home opener

Following a post-practice media session held on Tuesday, Caruso was asked to share what his feelings were about the idea of finally playing in front of Thunder fans in a home environment. Without hesitation, the newcomer spoke glowingly about his excitement and talked about what he'd heard about such an experience since arriving in Loud City this summer.

"Really excited to get the first home game under my belt. Its what everyone's preached since the trade in June, just how great the home fans are," Caruso said.

Caruso is an eight-year NBA veteran who is entering into his first season as a member of the Thunder following the late-June trade that saw OKC swap former lottery pick Josh Giddey to the Chicago Bulls in exchange for his services.

Throughout his professional tenure, the combo guard has suited up against Oklahoma City on 17 separate occasions, eight of which were experienced at Paycom Center.

Because of these experiences, Caruso admitted to reporters that he's managed to see firsthand how the environment at Thunder home games is, though, unfortunately, he was always on the opposite side of the endearment.

Now, as an official member of the organization, he told reporters he's "excited" to be on the receiving end of the enthusiasm and, considering his league-wide status, he should expect to be showered with adoration throughout the 2024-25 season.

One of the game's elite 3-and-D weapons, Caruso finds himself coming off a career-best season where he dropped 10.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.7 steals, and 1.0 blocks on 46.8 percent shooting from the floor and 40.8 percent shooting from distance while earning his second-consecutive All-Defensive team nod along the way.

In the conversation for one of the best offseason additions in the association, it's rather realistic to say that Thunder fans are just as excited to cheer for Caruso as he is to be cheered for.