Los Angeles Lakers: Three Boom-or-Bust Players
By Jon Soden
3. Alex Caruso
Even though he is a fan favorite, Alex Caruso remains a big question mark heading into the season. This, mostly, is simply due to consistency.
Just a year ago, if someone had said Alex Caruso would be starting alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis for the Los Angeles Lakers, no one would believe it. But now it seems that this could be a real possibility.
Caruso showed amazing flashes towards the end of the season, where he averaged 17.8 points and almost nine assists while starting the last four games.
Not only that, but Caruso has shown that his style of play could fit very well alongside the Lakers’ stars. Caruso is able to create his own shot if needed, but is also very effective playing without the ball, as well as running the floor on fast breaks.
Caruso also provides great upside on defense. He may not be an amazing defender, but given his six foot five frame and athleticism, he is a much better option than Rajon Rondo and Quinn Cook.
Lakers fans are all rooting for Caruso to succeed. But will he?
Caruso will need to show that he can keep up this level of play for more than just a few games. With opposing teams able to finally break down his game and game plan against it, will he find a way to stay productive?
One way he can do this is by hitting perimeter shots.
In his first season, Caruso shot 30.2% from three but shot 48% this past season. This difference can be attributed to a lack of playtime, and therefore shots. Caruso did not shoot more than 50 shots in either season and therefore has left us with a small sample size.
No one expects him to shoot 48%, but if Caruso can find a way to hover in between his averages, this could spell huge things for both Caruso and the Lakers.
Another advantage Caruso can gain is his ability to play off the ball. LeBron is naturally a point guard, which created a lot of issues when he and Rondo were on the court together since they are both very ball-dominant. Caruso can let LeBron control the ball and still find ways to be effective.
Caruso’s playtime may be somewhat out of his control.
If the Lakers decide to start LeBron at point guard and have a lineup featuring both Danny Green and Kyle Kuzma, Caruso may find himself without a lot of playtime. Additionally, if a player like Avery Bradley proves himself worthy, Caruso may be demoted.
The road to the title won't be an easy one. dark. Next
Caruso will have to play well enough to make it unquestionable that he deserves to be on the floor.