Alex Caruso said LeBron James and Rajon Rondo taught him how to see plays before they happen: "It's like chess… they're two moves ahead"
On his appearance on "The Old Man and The Three" podcast in 2021, Alex Caruso broke down the core of elite defense. According to him, the best defenders aren't simply reacting; they're predicting.
AC explained how reading the game before it unfolds allows a player to be in the right spot without hesitation. He credited that insight to two of the sharpest minds he's shared the court with: LeBron James and Rajon Rondo.
Caruso's chess lessons
These days, Caruso is a key veteran for the Oklahoma City Thunder, helping guide one of the NBA's youngest teams to a historic regular season record.
Advertisement
However, his rise to this leadership began much more modestly when he entered the league as an undrafted two-way player with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Although the Texas native was "already" 23 when he made his NBA debut in 2017, he was still finding his way at the highest level. For players in that situation, having experienced mentors is invaluable. Luckily, Caruso had not just one but two of the smartest minds in basketball to guide him: James and Rondo.
Together, they won an NBA championship in the 2020 bubble. Along the way, Alex wasn't just watching their skills — he was studying their mental approach.
James and Rondo didn't simply play; they controlled every moment on the court. Their talent to anticipate plays, guide teammates with clear communication, and stay mentally several steps ahead was like watching a masterful game of chess, the "Bald Mamba" said.
Advertisement
"They're just so smart, and seeing them operate for a couple of years, and seeing how they would communicate, think, point, and tell people where to go before stuff happened … it's like chess, right? They're two moves ahead," noted the 31-year-old.
Related: Walt Frazier admits NBA players were afraid to lift weights back in the day: "Basketball players thought it would affect their shot"
Caruso is always one step ahead on defense
When raving about Bron and Rajon on the podcast, Alex mentioned that he's tried to pick up on how they read plays before they actually happen. It's safe to say the 6'5" shooting guard has done this with great success in the years that followed, as it's become a signature part of his high-IQ defensive game.
Advertisement
Caruso's growth as a top defender shows not just in his reputation as a 2023 All-Defensive First Team player but also in the stats. He ranks in the top 10 in deflections this season, clearly showing his ability to break up plays before they fully develop.
"If you have to think about what's going on, you're going to be a half-second slow because you have to process it," he said, adding that even being just 0.7 seconds faster can make a real difference — whether it's moving the right way or turning to cover someone.
"You gotta know what the other guys wanna do first of all," emphasized the former Chicago Bull.
As AC explained, this anticipation also helps him spot opponents' fakes or predict where they might move on the court, sometimes even before they realize it themselves.
Advertisement
"It's a lot of like recognizing what's happening and what you think's gonna happen," he said.
Naturally, shutting down opponents also depends on length, size and quick feet for lateral movement, as the "Bald Mamba" pointed out. But the mental side of it all is just as important, and he shows that better than most players in today's NBA.
Related: "It's basically like college but no fun" — Alex Caruso on why there's no asterisk next to the Lakers' 2020 NBA Championship

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Associated Press
28 minutes ago
- Associated Press
Giants seek to prolong win streak, take on the Rockies
San Francisco Giants (38-28, second in the NL West) vs. Colorado Rockies (12-53, fifth in the NL West) Denver; Tuesday, 8:40 p.m. EDT PITCHING PROBABLES: Giants: Kyle Harrison (1-1, 4.34 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 19 strikeouts); Rockies: Carson Palmquist (0-4, 8.50 ERA, 1.83 WHIP, 14 strikeouts) BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Giants -228, Rockies +187; over/under is 11 1/2 runs BOTTOM LINE: The San Francisco Giants are looking to build upon a five-game win streak with a victory over the Colorado Rockies. Colorado has a 12-53 record overall and a 6-25 record at home. The Rockies are 4-37 in games when they have given up a home run. San Francisco has a 16-17 record in road games and a 38-28 record overall. The Giants have a 21-4 record in games when they have more hits than their opponents. The teams match up Tuesday for the fifth time this season. The Giants are ahead 3-1 in the season series. TOP PERFORMERS: Hunter Goodman leads the Rockies with a .280 batting average, and has 14 doubles, two triples, 10 home runs, 14 walks and 37 RBIs. Tyler Freeman is 13 for 31 with a home run and four RBIs over the past 10 games. Jung Hoo Lee has 17 doubles, two triples and six home runs for the Giants. Heliot Ramos is 13 for 40 with a double, a triple and a home run over the past 10 games. LAST 10 GAMES: Rockies: 3-7, .224 batting average, 5.13 ERA, outscored by 24 runs Giants: 7-3, .213 batting average, 2.05 ERA, outscored opponents by six runs INJURIES: Rockies: Ezequiel Tovar: 10-Day IL (oblique), Tanner Gordon: 15-Day IL (oblique), Kris Bryant: 60-Day IL (lumbar), Ryan Feltner: 15-Day IL (back), Austin Gomber: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Jeff Criswell: 60-Day IL (elbow) Giants: Jung Hoo Lee: day-to-day (back), Jordan Hicks: 15-Day IL (toe), Justin Verlander: 15-Day IL (pectoral), Tom Murphy: 60-Day IL (back) ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.


Associated Press
28 minutes ago
- Associated Press
Twins open 3-game series at home against the Rangers
Texas Rangers (31-35, fourth in the AL West) vs. Minnesota Twins (35-30, second in the AL Central) Minneapolis; Tuesday, 7:40 p.m. EDT PITCHING PROBABLES: Rangers: Tyler Mahle (0-0); Twins: TBD BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Twins -124, Rangers +104; over/under is 8 1/2 runs BOTTOM LINE: The Minnesota Twins host the Texas Rangers on Tuesday to begin a three-game series. Minnesota has a 35-30 record overall and a 19-10 record in home games. Twins hitters have a collective .387 slugging percentage to rank 10th in the AL. Texas has an 11-22 record in road games and a 31-35 record overall. The Rangers are 16-2 in games when they scored five or more runs. The matchup Tuesday is the first meeting of the season between the two clubs. TOP PERFORMERS: Trevor Larnach has eight doubles, a triple and 10 home runs for the Twins. Willi Castro is 15 for 38 with a double and four home runs over the last 10 games. Wyatt Langford has eight doubles, 11 home runs and 26 RBIs for the Rangers. Marcus Semien is 15 for 32 with three doubles, three home runs and nine RBIs over the last 10 games. LAST 10 GAMES: Twins: 5-5, .269 batting average, 4.69 ERA, outscored opponents by 11 runs Rangers: 4-6, .215 batting average, 2.51 ERA, outscored opponents by 12 runs INJURIES: Twins: Zebby Matthews: 15-Day IL (shoulder), Pablo Lopez: 15-Day IL (shoulder), Luke Keaschall: 60-Day IL (forearm), Michael Tonkin: 60-Day IL (shoulder) Rangers: Jake Latz: day-to-day (hand), Nathan Eovaldi: 15-Day IL (tricep), Joc Pederson: 10-Day IL (hand), Cody Bradford: 60-Day IL (elbow), Jon Gray: 60-Day IL (wrist), Josh Sborz: 60-Day IL (shoulder) ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.


Associated Press
28 minutes ago
- Associated Press
Reds take win streak into game against the Guardians
Cincinnati Reds (34-33, fourth in the NL Central) vs. Cleveland Guardians (34-31, third in the AL Central) Cleveland; Tuesday, 6:40 p.m. EDT PITCHING PROBABLES: Reds: Andrew Abbott (5-1, 2.18 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, 59 strikeouts); Guardians: Slade Cecconi (1-2, 4.87 ERA, 1.43 WHIP, 20 strikeouts) BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Guardians -117, Reds -103; over/under is 8 runs BOTTOM LINE: The Cincinnati Reds seek to extend a four-game win streak with a victory over the Cleveland Guardians. Cleveland has gone 18-14 in home games and 34-31 overall. The Guardians are 23-3 in games when they out-hit their opponents. Cincinnati has gone 16-17 in road games and 34-33 overall. The Reds have the fifth-ranked team slugging percentage in the NL at .401. The teams match up Tuesday for the fifth time this season. The Reds are ahead 4-0 in the season series. TOP PERFORMERS: Jose Ramirez has 12 home runs, 24 walks and 32 RBIs while hitting .333 for the Guardians. Nolan Jones is 10 for 23 with a triple and six RBIs over the last 10 games. TJ Friedl leads the Reds with a .295 batting average, and has 11 doubles, two triples, six home runs, 33 walks and 24 RBIs. Tyler Stephenson is 11 for 38 with two home runs and six RBIs over the last 10 games. LAST 10 GAMES: Guardians: 4-6, .234 batting average, 3.24 ERA, outscored by five runs Reds: 6-4, .237 batting average, 3.34 ERA, outscored opponents by nine runs INJURIES: Guardians: Austin Hedges: 7-Day IL (concussion), Andrew Walters: 60-Day IL (lat), Ben Lively: 60-Day IL (forearm), Will Brennan: 10-Day IL (forearm), Paul Sewald: 15-Day IL (shoulder), Shane Bieber: 60-Day IL (elbow), Erik Sabrowski: 60-Day IL (elbow), Trevor Stephan: 60-Day IL (elbow), John Means: 60-Day IL (elbow), Sam Hentges: 60-Day IL (shoulder) Reds: Rhett Lowder: 60-Day IL (forearm), Hunter Greene: 15-Day IL (groin), Austin Hays: 10-Day IL (foot), Carson Spiers: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Tyler Callihan: 60-Day IL (forearm), Noelvi Marte: 10-Day IL (side), Jeimer Candelario: 10-Day IL (back), Brandon Williamson: 60-Day IL (elbow), Julian Aguiar: 60-Day IL (elbow) ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.