Few things have gone right for the Chicago Bulls this season. They are 3-6 on the year, their three star players all have a negative point differential, and they haven’t been able to generate consistent offense. But if there’s one positive to pick out from their rough start to the season, it’s Alex Caruso.
The Bulls guard has been a monster off the bench, particularly on the defensive end. For a Chicago team that has struggled on the offensive end, having Caruso locked in on defense has given them an identity to cling on to. And in their most recent loss to the Phoenix Suns, his offensive play even showed up.
After the Bulls’ loss to the Suns – a one-point defeat in overtime – Phoenix star Kevin Durant showed love to Caruso. (H/t Sam Smith of NBA.com)
“A hard worker who is going to do all he can for his teammates,” Durant said. “That stuff right there (he does) makes up for a lot of mistakes. Tonight he got his hands on the ball and was able to knock down threes, and that takes him to another level when he’s able to knock down three balls like he did tonight and create off the dribble like he did tonight. He’s a phenomenal player. I don’t want to even call him a role player; he’s a guy you can plug with any lineup and he will make the right reads and right plays on the defensive and offensive side and the Bulls are lucky to have him.”
