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Los Angeles Lakers: Who is going to be the starting point guard?

By Jon Soden

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 05: Alex Caruso #4 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates with Kentavious Caldwell-Pope #1 after scoring a three pointer against the Los Angeles Clippers in the fourth quarter at Staples Center on April 05, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Yong Teck Lim/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 05: Alex Caruso #4 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates with Kentavious Caldwell-Pope #1 after scoring a three pointer against the Los Angeles Clippers in the fourth quarter at Staples Center on April 05, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Yong Teck Lim/Getty Images) /
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Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Yong Teck Lim/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

Alex Caruso

  • 2018-19 Stats (Lakers): 9.2 pts, 2.7 rbs, 3.1 ast, 1.7 tov, 21.2 min

Advantages

Aside from being a fan favorite, Alex Caruso has developed into a really solid NBA player for the Los Angeles Lakers.

While they have players like Danny Green, Anthony Davis and Avery Bradley, the Lakers are not a great defensive team, which may be the deciding factor for the Los Angeles Clippers prevailing over them. Caruso will be able to help this defensive cause and is a much better defender than Cook and Rondo.

At 6 feet 5 inches, and along with being a stellar athlete, Caruso will be able to contain star point guards in the West to some degree, which may help to be the difference in a win or loss in many games.

Unlike Cook and Rondo, Caruso has the ability to create his own shot off the dribble. He showed great scoring flashes last year, and if he can become a more consistent shooter, would be a very viable scoring option. If he were to see a significant minute increase, he could average up to 15 points per game this season.

Disadvantages 

While Caruso is the best shot creator between Rondo and Cook, is that necessarily a good thing? LeBron thrives with shooters around him, so it may be more efficient to have a less talented player like Cook start alongside LeBron.

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Caruso is not a bad shooter but has not shown any consistency on volume shooting in his short career, attempting only 50 three-pointers this past season. If he does not shoot well during the season, he may never see himself in the starting lineup.

With Rondo and Cook, the Lakers know what types of players they will be, and what value they can bring to the team. Caruso is much more up in the air, and not nearly as consistent of a performer.

Some nights, it seems that he should be undoubtedly the starting point guard, but on others, that he should not have been brought up from the G-League.

Prediction

Alex Caruso has earned a significant amount of minutes due to his play last year, but not yet the starting position over a veteran like Rondo on opening night.

As the season moves on, Caruso will need to make the most of his opportunities. If he continues his solid play, and also provides more consistent shooting, he could definitely be named the starter at some point during the season.

For opening night, I believe that Caruso will come off the bench as the second-string point guard, but at some point during the season will earn a starting position.

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