"Caruso -- -- The Accountant balanced the books tonight. We traded Lonzo Ball, but AC managed to give you everything we traded...and end up out-Lonzoing Lonzo in this one. I mean that block at the rim he had of Lonzo, sending him to the floor with the ball off LO...that kind of said it all for Laker fans. They loved it and we’ll see that highlight again and again.
The passing, the D and chipping in with a few points. Copy. Paste. Do it again and again like this. He was moving the ball like a boss in his first stint, finding three shooters on kickouts and LeBron cutting for scores at the rim. He had 6 assists in his first 5 minutes. Just beautiful ball from him there. That’s exactly what we want. The highlight reel dish of the night was going between his legs with a no-looker to LeBron trailing for a dunk. They were down 1 when he entered in the second quarter and up 8 when he sat for Bradley.
Vogel had no problems benching Rondo in the third quarter and not bringing him back. The result? AC finished a +20 in 17 minutes. How often do we see numbers like that? And the home crowd eats it up. It sparks Staples to life, sparks the team and we go. So when he came in for that second half stint, he scored a layup off a screen-roll with LeBron. He had that Lonzo rejection. He scooped up a loose ball, attacked and finished a tricky And-1 layup over his head. Staples was going nuts. Loved this game from AC. The decision make was so good.
The Stats: He scored 8 points on 3-5 shooting (0-1 from three, 2-3 from the line) to go with 3 boards, 8 assists, 2 steals, 1 block, 1 turnover and 1 foul in 17 minutes. He was a +20." DB
No question he deserved the game ball....Vogel has this loyalty to Rondo but loves what AC brings...It's time Vogel abandon his loyalty and play the guys that are producing...Sure give Rondo first crack...but after 3 minutes if Rondo isn't bringing it then AC should get the PG minutes.
We need to stop jerking around with his minutes. He needs as many reps as the backup PG in the last 25 plus games. Rondo has a career of experience so he can do it as 3rd string. _________________ From 2-10 to the Western Conference Finals
This is a secret weapon. I think Frank knows exactly who Alex is, but Alex is only in his FIRST full year as a rotation guy in the NBA and 3rd season in the NBA (and first proper one). So if you over expose him now, come playoffs, teams have figured out all his weaknesses. The way we use Caruso is rather smart, I think we test out the waters and then when we see it is his night, he just does what Alex does.
The chemistry between Alex, Danny-KCP and Lebron-AD is very obvious. The Lakers have a great group of quality character role players who complement AD and Lebron very well.
I hope we just kill the hype, and just wait until the playoffs. Then unleash. That is the way to do it. Let everyone talk about this being a team that is Lebron and AD only, and then come playoffs, we show what we really are all about.
I think what the Lakers do need by playoffs is one of Bradley and Caruso out there at all times. If for no other reason, than to have a defensive guard who will flat out go all in on D every possession. That mentality is infectious. This team is not built to win through offense. It is built to win through dominating on D and the boards and then getting those easy transition baskets. Their offensive talent is not up to par with super teams. So they have to defend like a super team. Holding New Orleans to 109, Boston to 110, Memphis 105 all well below their season averages. That is how this team is built to win, and that is why Caruso is such a fitting role player.
Last edited by wolfpaclaker on Wed Feb 26, 2020 7:32 am; edited 1 time in total
Which is why he needs the reps now as primarily backup PG. don’t just expect he will learn it on the fly in the playoffs. Dangling rondo in front of him in a haphazard manner helps no one. _________________ From 2-10 to the Western Conference Finals
Which is why he needs the reps now as primarily backup PG. don’t just expect he will learn it on the fly in the playoffs. Dangling rondo in front of him in a haphazard manner helps no one.
Certainly in closing situations, you have Lebron as your co-guard. So it would not like Caruso is going to have to create like a primary PG. Some ballhandling and some PG play is needed, not all of it. I would def try to keep him being the PG that comes in for Bradley, and then move Lebron a little off the ball. Lets see how it goes from there.
The fact is though, we still need Kuzma to do something. The Rondo-Kuzma pairing is one that either sends shockwaves and beats a team like Houston, OKC by itself. Or it just stinks so bad that you want them to never come back in the game.
I do not know if Caruso being a primary PG is the way to go, I think he is a great secondary guard to a dominant ballhandling guard like Lebron. I do not think he would do well being the guy creating plays when Lebron sits.
We don’t need a playmaker role for Caruso. Run more set halfcourt plays. He can do it. And plays defense. _________________ From 2-10 to the Western Conference Finals
Joined: 24 Dec 2018 Posts: 347 Location: Palos Verdes
Posted: Wed Feb 26, 2020 8:21 am Post subject:
What a pleasant surprise he's been. Taking some of the sting away from the disappointment of what's his name (the blond). _________________ Lakers fan since that Magical day June 25, 1979.
Hilarious that none of the Pelicans twitter gave Caruso any credit. Most didn’t even mention the block. One guy mentioned him but called him Meme instead of Caruso, discrediting him as an actual basketball player. _________________ “You have to dance beautifully in the box that you are comfortable dancing in.” - Kobe Bryant
Hilarious that none of the Pelicans twitter gave Caruso any credit. Most didn’t even mention the block. One guy mentioned him but called him Meme instead of Caruso, discrediting him as an actual basketball player.
This is why they lose. The pettiness is from organization on down to Pels twitter.
Anyone who doesn’t see AC’s impact doesn’t understand basketball. Maybe the Pels and their social media people would stop losing superstars if they understood the game.
Griffin has brought some basketball IQ and that’s their one hope. They have 7 years or whatever it is to keep their new gifted franchise player happy.
Hilarious that none of the Pelicans twitter gave Caruso any credit. Most didn’t even mention the block. One guy mentioned him but called him Meme instead of Caruso, discrediting him as an actual basketball player.
This is why they lose. The pettiness is from organization on down to Pels twitter.
Anyone who doesn’t see AC’s impact doesn’t understand basketball. Maybe the Pels and their social media people would stop losing superstars if they understood the game.
Lonzo is replacable by DG/AB
Hart is replacable by AC
Randle is replacable by Morris
Kuz is better than Nance
Clarkson is replacable by KCP
T.Bryant is replacable by JaVale/Dwight
Svi, I'm sure we can find/get similar level player
BI looks good, got us AD
If KCP is Mana from Heaven then Caruso is Baby Jesus... _________________ “You have to dance beautifully in the box that you are comfortable dancing in.” - Kobe Bryant
Why is Bradley starting and not Caruso or Daniels? Bradley is horrible and has been all season. Caruso is a better defender and shooter than Bradley. So, why does Vogel continue to give Bradly so many minutes?
Joined: 29 Aug 2004 Posts: 11197 Location: The Other Perspective
Posted: Wed Feb 26, 2020 10:12 am Post subject:
Mamba81 wrote:
it's not just pelicans fans a lot of casual fans dismiss caruso but the ppl who actually watch games know.
Many opposing players also discount him. That's why they get so frustrated when his defense pesters them into mistakes. _________________ "Chick lived and breathed Lakers basketball…but he was also fair and objective and called every game the way it was played."
-from Chick: His Unpublished Memoirs and the Memories of Those Who Knew Him
Why is Bradley starting and not Caruso or Daniels? Bradley is horrible and has been all season. Caruso is a better defender and shooter than Bradley. So, why does Vogel continue to give Bradly so many minutes?
guess you didn't watch the games for the past 3 weeks, AB has been on fire(not last night), and plays solid Defense as usual. he should start and get his minutes.
Joined: 29 Aug 2004 Posts: 11197 Location: The Other Perspective
Posted: Wed Feb 26, 2020 7:45 pm Post subject:
Another voice pleading for more Caruso: _________________ "Chick lived and breathed Lakers basketball…but he was also fair and objective and called every game the way it was played."
-from Chick: His Unpublished Memoirs and the Memories of Those Who Knew Him
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