Bulls guard Alex Caruso offered some clarity about which position he prefers to play in an extensive conversation with K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago.
“The power forward one is not my favorite,” Caruso, who started at both the point guard and power forward positions at various points last year, told Johnson. “It took a toll on me the second half. It was rough. That’s one of the added benefits I think I bring to a team. I feel I’m pretty unselfish.”
Caruso addressed the possibility that he may not start games with the club this year.
“I’ve talked to (head coach) Billy (Donovan) and some of the assistants about being more selfish at times,” Caruso said. “It’s almost putting a burden on the team when I’m not selfish at times, when I pass up shots or pass up opportunities to be aggressive or to speak up. So this starting stuff is what it is. I’d rather play late in the game than early in the game. When it counts, I want to be on the court.”
Caruso, who made an All-Defensive First Team for the first time in his career last season, did not start in Chicago’s first preseason game on Sunday, a 105-102 loss to a Bucks team missing stars Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard and Khris Middleton.
Their entire chat is well worth reading in full. Here are some highlights:
Caruso on his next goals for end-of-season hardware:
“The way [Defensive Player of the Year] is kind of voted on and based off of now is the interior has the upper hand on that just because of blocks and rebounds. I probably don’t have enough of those to be under consideration. But you never know. I might have an incredible year.”
On how the Bulls’ two big new signings, Jevon Carter and Torrey Craig, can positively impact the team:
“We’ve already seen it. There was one play in practice today where me and Ayo (Dosunmu) got a stop and then Torrey got a block and Jevon got a strip and we got another stop. If we have me and Ayo and Drum (Andre Drummond) on that second unit and we add those two pieces, it’s going to be hard to get a good shot off against that second unit if we’re locked in. Once we do, we have multiple ball-handlers and can break out and run a little bit. I’m excited. They fit really well for the mentality that me and Ayo and Drum have played with the last couple years.”
On how he felt watching the Heat advance to the NBA Finals after narrowly beating Chicago during their play-in game:
“The playoffs are so matchup-based and Jimmy (Butler) was going crazy in that first round against the Bucks. That propelled them. Who knows what would’ve happened if we had won that game? I thought we played so well. It was almost the opposite of Toronto where I thought Toronto played better than us for two-and-a-half, three quarters and then we kind of won the game late. I thought we played better than Miami for the majority of that game and it was a better matchup for us. We had won the season series. And then they just made more plays and more shots down the stretch.
“Basketball is a make-or-miss league. But I don’t think back to that game as much as I do to four or five games during the season that we should’ve won. We should beat the teams that are under .500, definitely at home. And then you’re not even in the play-in game. And that didn’t sit well with me as I tried to sleep at night.”
DeM DeR >>>>>> to Knicks ….
Fournier quickley and a pick and it’s a deal
You don’t speak for Bulls fans.
So you’d rather have demar than quickley ? For the record I’d love to jus keep demar, but in a hypothetical trade I’m jus emphasizing that bulls won’t dump him for nothing
You get LaVine and like it!
Truthfully, the Bulls should have torn it down but alas let’s hope for a play-in spot again…
For Brunson and 5 first round picks?
Windy City still confused
The perimeter D was much improved over last year in this game. However, offensively they looked mostly bad. Caruso is basically the avatar for this team, good effort, tough defense, below average offensive execution – and that is with 3 score first starters.
Bulls need to just tear it down and start again but they won’t. They sucked last year and didn’t bring in anyone that’ll change that.
For me I’d be looking to move DeRozan and just add back young talent. On the court I’d try copy the nuggets style, Vuce can be a point centre like Jokic and LaVine can be that secondary ball handler score guard. If you look at the Nuggets around that they have 3 and D role players, a clear third option sharpshooter and just a bunch of guys that’ll work hard on both ends.
I’d start Coby White next to LaVine, cause he has good size, is smart, works hard and can do abit of everything. Pat Will is a 3 and D role player and what they need next is another forward than can be the clear third option and continue to provide floor spacing.
So I’d go DeMare DeRozan and Andre Drummond for Gordan Hayward, Kai Jones, JT Thor and a protected first round pick.
Hayward clear 3rd option, nice expiring deal, couple good young prospects and a pick.
White LaVine Hayward Williams Vuce
Carter Caruso Craig Jones …
Ayo Phillips Thor …