Latest news with #Caruso
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Alex Caruso sees Warriors as threat to Thunder in upcoming 2025-26 season
After winning the NBA championship, the Oklahoma City Thunder understand that the 29 other teams in the league will circle their calendars for their matchups. They had one of the greatest seasons ever with a historic 68-14 record. That means they're the bar. If anybody knows what it's like to be the reigning champion, it's Alex Caruso. Continuing to enjoy his summer before training camp kicks off in two months, the 31-year-old talked about OKC's repeat aspirations with an "NBC Sports Bay Area & California" show at a golf course. The last team to repeat as NBA champions was the Golden State Warriors in 2017 and 2018. Those were Kevin Durant's first two years with the franchise. Paired with Stephen Curry, they were unstoppable and could be written in Sharpie in September that they were going to cruise their way to multiple titles. Since then, there's been a new NBA champion every year. If anybody is built to break that trend, it's the Thunder. They return the same roster minus some changes at the bottom of the depth chart. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has cemented himself as arguably the best player in the league. One team the Thunder might need to beat to inch closer to a second Larry O'Brien trophy is the Warriors. The veteran squad might've lost in Round 2 last year, but Curry remains one of the league's best players. Draymond Green was in DPOY conversations. And Jimmy Butler rejuvenated the franchise and will be Curry's last co-star. The Curry-Green-Butler trio might be in their mid-30s, but they have the pedigree and talent to battle with the Thunder. Caruso broke down how the Warriors' star trio is enough to make any team take them seriously — even with questionable depth and ugly negotiations with Jonathan Kuminga. "For the Warriors, it just comes down to if they can get Steph healthy. That's the big deciding factor. If he's healthy, you'll always have a chance to win a playoff series. Him and Draymond obviously have so much experience," Caruso said. "Then Jimmy is Jimmy. Everybody knows. I don't think he was particularly 100% healthy in those playoffs either. Having those guys healthy is a big deal." The Thunder didn't get a chance to face the Warriors in the playoffs, but they're always in the conversation as a team that could give them a challenge. Every time they square off in the regular season, you always see a show as Gilgeous-Alexander and Curry try to lead their team. Maybe other teams are ahead of the Warriors in terms of toughest challenge, but you can't sleep on a team that's done it before. Even with their old age and inconsistent role players.
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Daily Mail
Police officer caught in VERY compromising position by Google Street View camera
A police officer was shocked to find Google Street View had published a naked photo of him - and now he's won a lawsuit against the tech giant. The law enforcement agent, whose name was not revealed, was standing naked in the backyard of his home in Bragado, a city in the Argentine province of Buenos Aires, when a Google camera mounted on a vehicle photographed him in 2015. The camera managed to captured his buttocks and back, and the photo viral after local television station published it as part of a special news segment on the peculiarities behind Google Street View in the city of 45,000 residents. The cop eventually learned of the image while watching a news program and filed a lawsuit against Google Argentina in 2017. The officer claimed he was ridiculed by his neighbors and that he would only leave his home to work. The lawsuit sought a monetary compensation, but the case was dismissed by a panel of three judges last year. Eduardo Caruso, the leading judge, claimed that the cop was unable to prove that Google was responsible for causing him harm. 'Therefore, what we have so far is a photograph of an unidentifiable person, as they are naked from behind, and because they are in a location that is also unidentifiable, since it is a part of the front of their house that cannot be seen by passersby due to the front gate,' Caruso said. The judge added that cop 'shot himself in the foot' and that he was only filing a lawsuit because he was seeking a financial windfall. 'I emphasize that none of this would have happened if the actor himself had not placed himself in this situation of exposure and in an area that is not the private constitutional sphere [within the internal perimeter of the building], since he was in a front yard that was uncovered from a certain height and could have been easily noticed or observed by any neighbor, even minors,' Caruso said. 'In other words, the true 'victims' of this indecent act, detrimental to the social and moral sphere, were his own neighbors.' The cop appealed the court's decision before the Civil Chamber and learned last week that a panel of three judges found that the photograph invaded his privacy and that Google was culpable for failing to publish the image. The judges ordered the Google Argentina and Google LLC to pay the officer 16 million Argentine pesos – about $12,900 – which includes interest. 'In the app, when the front of the house is displayed, the street numbers are easily readable,' the judges said in their opinion. 'Moving the cursor allows you to zoom in and out from the street, allowing you to see inside the house and even make out a front yard/garden behind the fence. It is clear that in this case it was not her face that was visible, but her entire naked body, an image that should also have been avoided.' Google Argentina was instructed to eliminate the photograph from its Street View and faces a fine of 100,000 pesos - $78 – for each day that it fails to do so.
USA Today
6 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
A year later, ESPN loves Thunder additions of Alex Caruso, Isaiah Hartenstein even more
After being the youngest first seed in NBA history, the Oklahoma City Thunder pivoted to win-now moves in the 2024 offseason. The rebuild was over as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren established themselves as one of the best trios. The Thunder wasted little time building around them. They traded Josh Giddey to the Chicago Bulls for Alex Caruso. That one-for-one deal was met with praise. The Thunder flipped their worst starter for a role player who perfectly fits their brand of basketball. Soon afterward, the Thunder backed up the Brink's trucks to lure in Isaiah Hartenstein. He signed a hefty three-year deal to leave the New York Knicks. That move was also met with praise. He was the perfect traditional center to pair next to Holmgren. One NBA championship later, safe to say both moves will greatly age for the Thunder. They were Sam Presti's final touches to a basketball masterpiece. The 2025-25 Thunder went down as one of the greatest teams in league history with the best point differential ever and a title to cap it off. ESPN's Kevin Pelton recently revisited the 2024 offseason. He brought out his marker to regrade all of the big deals. For the Thunder, that meant hearing more praise on the savvy moves to bring in two textbook role players that enhanced their playoff chances. "After limiting Caruso's minutes during the regular season, coach Mark Daigneault relied heavily on him during the playoffs," Pelton wrote. "Caruso started the second half of Game 7 against the Denver Nuggets and was asked to defend three-time MVP Nikola Jokic in what became a blowout win. He also played an important role in the NBA Finals." Pelton gave the Caruso deal an "A" for the Thunder when it happened. It remained there a year later. The 31-year-old's importance multiplied the deeper they went into the playoffs. It got to the point he was one of the five most important players. Meanwhile, Hartenstein's addition received a bump. He went from an "A-minus" grade to an "A." The 27-year-old had a career season where he averaged a double-double. The Thunder needed that type of production from him as they dealt with injuries. "The only concern with the Thunder signing Hartenstein was how he might fit alongside incumbent center Chet Holmgren. Injuries prevented us from seeing that duo until February, but they started together for all but the first three games of the Finals during Oklahoma City's title run," Pelton wrote. "Hartenstein was outstanding defensively, and his screening and high-post passing proved important offensively." Whether you're a basketball supergenius like Pelton or more of a casual viewer, what Caruso and Hartenstein brought in their first years was pretty evident to see on the court. They helped the young Thunder grow up and played winning basketball.
USA Today
12-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Alex Caruso on Thunder motivations to win championship: 'If you win, everybody gets paid'
Nothing sweeter than the offseason following an NBA championship. You enjoy a nonstop press tour throughout the summer. Everybody wants you on their show. They want to know about your journey to being a ring holder. Players get a chance to run a victory lap after a victory lap. The Oklahoma City Thunder are experiencing that for the first time. After they won the Larry O'Brien trophy to cap off one of the greatest seasons ever, they've had the chance to party it up in the offseason. They'll enter next season as a favorite to repeat. As the lone player on the Thunder roster to have a championship before June, Alex Caruso talked about the behind-the-scenes of their voyage to the mountaintop. The 31-year-old appeared on the "Dan Patrick Show" to discuss his first season in OKC and how he played a vital role in its playoff run. Besides achieving basketball nirvana, Caruso said the Thunder were also motivated by the second contract they're within grasp of. At the end of the day, the NBA is a business. You're trying to get as much money as you can out of the machine before your career is cut short. The two-time NBA champion understands the amount of cache a title buys you for that. "I think there are enough examples throughout the history of basketball and the league, if you win, everybody gets paid," Caruso said. "Even the team in 2020 that won the 'ship for us in the Lakers. A couple of guys didn't get brought back, but they got paid other ways." Caruso listed off several Lakers role players who looked like they were about to exit the league for good before their 2020 Bubble Run bought them some extra runway. He mentioned Rajon Rondo, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Danny Green and JaVale McGee all received reputation boosts as veterans with championship experience. Those are the intangibles teams always look to add to their locker rooms. The Thunder are a little different than that veteran Lakers squad. They were the second-youngest champion in NBA history. So instead of a bunch of older players clinging onto their careers, their roster was filled with guys on their rookie-scale deals who are due up for an extension. Even though the context is a shade different, the principle remains the same. The Thunder have ponied up this offseason after a championship run. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren all received contract extensions this offseason. But so did Jaylin Williams and Ajay Mitchell. "Everybody on a championship team gets an opportunity and gets paid. I think convincing the team that's how it was going to be," Caruso said. "It was unique too, with such young guys that all have big aspirations and goals and ambitions in the league. Really impressive, honestly." If you play winning basketball, that will always help a player get paid. That wasn't the primary motivation to win a championship. That's an accomplishment in itself. But it's still a nice bonus to accomplish something every fanbase hopes to see at least once in their lifetime.
Time of India
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Alex Caruso Breaks Down the Madness of Guarding Stephen Curry—and the Genius of LeBron James: "He's a Menace"
Alex Caruso has built a reputation in the NBA as one of the most respected perimeter defenders in the game. Known for his relentless effort and sharp basketball mind, Caruso has spent years guarding elite players—including two of the league's most iconic figures: Stephen Curry and LeBron James . Tired of too many ads? go ad free now In recent appearances on podcasts and interviews, he gave fans a glimpse into the unique challenges of guarding both superstars, offering honest, thoughtful reflections shaped by years of high-level competition. When Is Stephen Curry Most Dangerous? Alex Caruso Weighs In Alex Caruso (Image via Nathaniel S. Butler/ Getty Images) When it comes to , Alex Caruso offers a perspective that even seasoned fans might overlook: 'People don't always get this, but he's actually most dangerous right after he gives the ball up.' Key Observations from Caruso: - Curry's Off-the-Ball Threat: Caruso explained that once Curry hands the ball off, the real trouble begins. He doesn't stand still—instead, he launches into constant motion, running through screens, cutting sharply, and finding space for a quick catch-and-shoot three. 'He just runs in circles until you lose track, then nails a 30-footer. It's nearly impossible to guard.' - The Warriors' Offensive System: system amplifies Curry's strengths. Caruso pointed out the chemistry between Curry and Draymond Green, whose screens and handoffs keep defenders off balance. 'Their whole offense is built for him. You really can't take a single play off.' - The Physical Toll: Defending Curry demands peak physical and mental endurance. Caruso jokingly admitted how drained he feels after chasing Curry and Klay Thompson all night. 'You come out of those games with no legs left.' Alex Caruso's Respect for Stephen Curry His admiration for Stephen Curry is clear: 'He's a menace… Whether it's on-ball or off-ball, you can't rest. He's that hard to guard.' Tired of too many ads? go ad free now And the numbers support it. At 37 years old, Curry wrapped up the 2024–25 season averaging 24.5 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 6.0 assists, shooting nearly 40% from deep. The Challenge of Guarding LeBron James Having played both with and against , Caruso offers a rare dual perspective on what it takes to guard the four-time MVP. LeBron himself has publicly praised Caruso, calling him one of his all-time favorite teammates. Why LeBron Is Such a Tough Matchup Alex Caruso on the Dan Patrick Show Full Interview | 07/11/25 - Elite Physical Tools: LeBron's mix of size, strength, and agility makes him a nightmare to contain. Caruso, who's defended players across every position, says LeBron presents a uniquely difficult challenge. - High Basketball IQ: Caruso likened facing LeBron to playing chess. His ability to anticipate and exploit weaknesses sets him apart. 'He's always thinking two moves ahead.' - Relentless Effort: Even in his 21st season, LeBron's hustle is unmatched. Alex Caruso remembers watching him recover on defense, then sprint to contest a three from the opposite corner. Those moments, he says, define LeBron's greatness. What Caruso Learned from LeBron James Alex Caruso credits much of his own development to playing alongside LeBron James. 'Watching them play was like watching chess. LeBron's support gave me confidence. Having someone like that believe in you really changes things.' He explained that LeBron's encouragement helped him realize how valuable his defensive skills could be—how effort and awareness could actually influence NBA outcomes. Inside the Mind of a Lockdown Defender Alex Caruso's success as a defender doesn't just come from hustle—it's built on careful preparation and adaptability. - Studying Opponents: He pays close attention to player tendencies and makes quick reads during games. - Maximum Effort: Caruso's refusal to quit on plays is something even LeBron has applauded. - Positional Versatility: Whether guarding sharpshooters like Curry or overpowering stars like LeBron, Caruso adapts his game to meet the challenge. Alex Caruso's firsthand insights offer fans a deeper appreciation of the NBA's most unguardable talents. His breakdown of Stephen Curry's off-ball chaos and LeBron's all-around dominance reveals what it truly takes to defend greatness. Caruso may not always be in the spotlight, but his work ethic, intelligence, and determination have earned him a seat at the table with basketball's elite. Also read: In a league that glorifies scoring, Caruso's perspective reminds us: greatness also lies in the grit, the hustle, and the tiny, crucial battles that happen on every possession.
