[Game] Kings vs. Grizzlies - 3/18/2024 - 7PM PST/10PM EST
- Thread starter RoyalDiva
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No, I've never watched him play. Not once. I just shot my mouth off for no reason at all. </s>
I'd be willing to bet a large pool of money that I've likely seen him play a lot more than you have, dating back to college.
Your reply is coming from a one-dimensional POV. I'm referring to him as an overall talent and his overall impact on the game, not just his defense.
You guys are so quick to label an offensive-minded player a "liability" on the other end but rarely do so in the opposite direction. Caruso doesn't affect a game enough for me offensively to consider him as "incredible" or a "must have".
As I stated in an earlier reply, since this team is so offensively charged and seemingly so defensively challenged, you guys are starved for defensive-minded saltine crackers. If it were the other way around and this team was a top defensive team, but limited in scoring, you'd be touting the opposite type of player. That's the truth.
Prove to me that Caruso has ever been a difference maker anywhere he's played. Then prove to me that he'd undoubtedly be the answer to the KINGS prayers. You can't. Over his 7-season career he's largely been a sub 25-minute per night reserve with low volume shooting. If he's so freaking impactful -- why doesn't he played more? Why doesn't his current team use him for more than 28 minutes per night?? Why is he pretty much always on marginal teams?? Hell, the Bulls are a marginal team in the freaking EAST!
Don't get me wrong, my goal isn't to trash the kid. He is by no means a bad player. I'm just pushing back on this "he's incredible" narrative and the KINGS would be so much better with him on the team. There's absolutely no evidence for that.
The KINGS already have a couple defensive-minded, offensively challenged players in Keon Ellis and Davion Mitchell. And seemingly half the site here has wanted to dump those players, until recently with Ellis. And even conceding that Caruso is better than those guys right now, so what?
There are numerous other players better than Caruso to be had. That are much more impactful offensively and still pretty solid defensively, even if not known as an all-NBA defensive talent. My contention is that the KINGS would be better off with one of those types of players. And for all we know Keon Ellis just might be one to develop into one of those better, more well-rounded players.
You love Caruso's defensive presence and impact. Good, great, grand, wonderful. More power to you. But there are trade-offs for that skill set. That's my point. (please, refrain from posting Caruso's shooting numbers/stats as I'm keenly aware of them; he's still a low volume and impact offensive player).
Would I prefer Caruso to Kevin Huerter right about now? Sure. Why not. He's better defensively and could easily match Kevin's contributions offensively this season. But I wouldn't prefer Caruso to a long list of other obtainable players, simply because his defense is rated better. I'm not even sure I'd prefer him over Ellis moving forward.
In closing, when I used the term "overrated" it wasn't to suggest that Caruso doesn't have any value. Nor was it intended as a slight. I just don't see near the same "overall" value/impact that you and some others do. I've outlined some of the reasons why I consider him overrated by the faction here at KF. And just because someone sees it differently doesn't mean they are less educated about it. In this case, I'm surely not.
I'd be willing to bet a large pool of money that I've likely seen him play a lot more than you have, dating back to college.
Your reply is coming from a one-dimensional POV. I'm referring to him as an overall talent and his overall impact on the game, not just his defense.
You guys are so quick to label an offensive-minded player a "liability" on the other end but rarely do so in the opposite direction. Caruso doesn't affect a game enough for me offensively to consider him as "incredible" or a "must have".
As I stated in an earlier reply, since this team is so offensively charged and seemingly so defensively challenged, you guys are starved for defensive-minded saltine crackers. If it were the other way around and this team was a top defensive team, but limited in scoring, you'd be touting the opposite type of player. That's the truth.
Prove to me that Caruso has ever been a difference maker anywhere he's played. Then prove to me that he'd undoubtedly be the answer to the KINGS prayers. You can't. Over his 7-season career he's largely been a sub 25-minute per night reserve with low volume shooting. If he's so freaking impactful -- why doesn't he played more? Why doesn't his current team use him for more than 28 minutes per night?? Why is he pretty much always on marginal teams?? Hell, the Bulls are a marginal team in the freaking EAST!
Don't get me wrong, my goal isn't to trash the kid. He is by no means a bad player. I'm just pushing back on this "he's incredible" narrative and the KINGS would be so much better with him on the team. There's absolutely no evidence for that.
The KINGS already have a couple defensive-minded, offensively challenged players in Keon Ellis and Davion Mitchell. And seemingly half the site here has wanted to dump those players, until recently with Ellis. And even conceding that Caruso is better than those guys right now, so what?
There are numerous other players better than Caruso to be had. That are much more impactful offensively and still pretty solid defensively, even if not known as an all-NBA defensive talent. My contention is that the KINGS would be better off with one of those types of players. And for all we know Keon Ellis just might be one to develop into one of those better, more well-rounded players.
You love Caruso's defensive presence and impact. Good, great, grand, wonderful. More power to you. But there are trade-offs for that skill set. That's my point. (please, refrain from posting Caruso's shooting numbers/stats as I'm keenly aware of them; he's still a low volume and impact offensive player).
Would I prefer Caruso to Kevin Huerter right about now? Sure. Why not. He's better defensively and could easily match Kevin's contributions offensively this season. But I wouldn't prefer Caruso to a long list of other obtainable players, simply because his defense is rated better. I'm not even sure I'd prefer him over Ellis moving forward.
In closing, when I used the term "overrated" it wasn't to suggest that Caruso doesn't have any value. Nor was it intended as a slight. I just don't see near the same "overall" value/impact that you and some others do. I've outlined some of the reasons why I consider him overrated by the faction here at KF. And just because someone sees it differently doesn't mean they are less educated about it. In this case, I'm surely not.
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Woof. Lot to unpack here.
I could post a bunch of numbers on Carusos impact over his career, but I stopped doing that when discussing things with you because you just brush it off and don't consider them at all. Learened that long ago and not going to start now. But if you spent 2 minutes doing any actual player evaluation work, you could find them yourself.
Caruso was a crucial role player and defender on that Lakers title team. He was a big part of their #1 defense and they haven't been the same on that end since he left, even with AD still there. He's stuck on a bad Bulls team, but there's not a single contender he wouldn't be a 25 MPG player on.
And just watch the dude play defense. If you don't think he's a special defender, I can't help you
Go ahead and name the several better attainable options then that are better than Caruso.
I love Keons development too. If Keon ever comes close to Carusos defensive impact. We'll have an absolute homerun on our hands. We can only hope he develops that way.
Davions issues (until recently) is he was flat out unplayable on offense. Even if you're a defensive specialist, you have to at least contribute offensively, even if it's minor. What's exciting about Keon is he brings that same defensive excellence, but is fitting significantly better on offense and we don't miss a beat when he's on the floor.
I could post a bunch of numbers on Carusos impact over his career, but I stopped doing that when discussing things with you because you just brush it off and don't consider them at all. Learened that long ago and not going to start now. But if you spent 2 minutes doing any actual player evaluation work, you could find them yourself.
Caruso was a crucial role player and defender on that Lakers title team. He was a big part of their #1 defense and they haven't been the same on that end since he left, even with AD still there. He's stuck on a bad Bulls team, but there's not a single contender he wouldn't be a 25 MPG player on.
And just watch the dude play defense. If you don't think he's a special defender, I can't help you
Go ahead and name the several better attainable options then that are better than Caruso.
I love Keons development too. If Keon ever comes close to Carusos defensive impact. We'll have an absolute homerun on our hands. We can only hope he develops that way.
Davions issues (until recently) is he was flat out unplayable on offense. Even if you're a defensive specialist, you have to at least contribute offensively, even if it's minor. What's exciting about Keon is he brings that same defensive excellence, but is fitting significantly better on offense and we don't miss a beat when he's on the floor.
@SeanCunningham
Sasha Vezenkov has been upgraded to questionable with the ankle sprain.
@JandersonSacBee
The Toronto Raptors have ruled Scottie Barnes (left hand fracture), RJ Barrett (personal), Chris Boucher (MCL), D.J. Carton (ankle), Jakob Poeltl (hand) and Immanuel Quickley (personal) out for Wednesday’s game against the Sacramento Kings.
I think the league has "figured us out."
Sasha Vezenkov has been upgraded to questionable with the ankle sprain.
@JandersonSacBee
The Toronto Raptors have ruled Scottie Barnes (left hand fracture), RJ Barrett (personal), Chris Boucher (MCL), D.J. Carton (ankle), Jakob Poeltl (hand) and Immanuel Quickley (personal) out for Wednesday’s game against the Sacramento Kings.
I think the league has "figured us out."
Bane tried to hunt Keegan on a switch from Keon. I’m guessing someone forgot to read the scouting report because that is not something you probably want to do. (Also did Fox block that GG three???).
Having three absolutely filthy defenders on the floor at once (Fox has the capability of turning into Gary Payton whenever someone makes him mad) is a luxury that the Kings haven’t had since maybe the glory days and even then it was like DC/huuuuge gap because Doug was one of the top five defenders in the league/BJax/maybe CWebb.
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