USA Today via Reuters
Feb 26, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) and guard Alex Caruso (4) celebrate in the second half against the Portland Trail Blazers at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Feb 26, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) and guard Alex Caruso (4) celebrate in the second half against the Portland Trail Blazers at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Six-time NBA champions Chicago Bulls have been busy in the off-season as they have massively improved their roster ahead of their 2021-22 NBA campaign. The Bulls signed Alex Caruso on a four-year deal earlier this week. They have also brought in Tony Bradley, Javonte Green, and DeMar DeRozan to their roster. However, Caruso, who may have joined the Bulls, still cherishes his four-year tenure at Los Angeles Lakers, especially his relationship with LeBron.
Caruso became an unrestricted free agent after an underwhelming season with the Lakers, who crashed out in round 1 of the playoffs in 2020.
As the Chicago Bulls failed to reach the playoffs for the fourth consecutive time last season, it prompted them to make some noise during the off-season with some additions to their roster. Hence, they roped in Caruso, in a win-win situation for all involved. The former Laker will be a quality addition to the Bulls’ defense in the coming season.
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USA Today via Reuters
Mar 20, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) is helped up by Los Angeles Lakers guard Wesley Matthews (9) and Los Angeles Lakers guard Alex Caruso (4) after injuring his leg in the second quarter at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
Alex Caruso talks about his relationship with LeBron
Caruso won his first NBA championship with the Lakers and played alongside LeBron in the championship-winning season. He built a strong on-court relationship with LeBron in the last two seasons in LA. Caruso revealed he is going to ‘miss throwing him lobs’. He added that he wants to build a ‘similar relationship with Zach LaVine’ at the Bulls.
Alex Caruso said he’ll never take experience of playing with LeBron James for granted. And that he’ll miss throwing him lobs.
“Hopefully me and Zach (LaVine) get on the same page.”
— Rob Schaefer (@rob_schaef) August 13, 2021
Whilst at LA, Caruso, and LeBron once had the best net rating for any duo that played over 150 mins in the NBA. Now, Caruso is looking forward to getting on the same page as Zach LaVine as he brings his defensive awareness to the ‘windy city’.
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Can Caruso upgrade Chicago’s defense?
Alex Caruso became one of the most improved defensive guards in the NBA in the past two seasons. Now, he will bring that defensive stability to Chicago Bulls, who have reached the playoffs just once in the past six seasons. Caruso’s defensive strengths are his off-the-ball awareness and lateral quickness.
This could massively help Zach LaVine in the coming season as the Chicago Bulls struggled in defending against ball-handlers last season. Given these expectations and Caruso’s growth as a player, it’ll be interesting to see how he impacts the Bulls’ defense in the coming season.
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