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.
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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.
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"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.
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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.
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"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
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