(The original text was published on June 8, and the author is Tim MacMahon of ESPN website. The content of the article does not represent the translator's opinion)
When Caruso first came to Oklahoma City, he was wearing thick hair and a looming NBA dream. It was September 2016, and the Thunder provided him with an Exhibit 10 contract trial opportunity, which meant a chance to get a $50,000 bonus and join the Thunder Development League team Blue.
There were 6 players on the trial field at that time, and what Caruso didn't know was that he was the only one who was the real object of the Thunder's management and coaching staff. Mark Dagnott, then head coach of the Blue Team (pictured from the University of Florida by Thunder general manager Presti in his early years) had seen Caruso's never-give-up spirit as early as when he played for Texas A&M. Caruso once tried his best in garbage time in a game that lost to the University of Florida, which made coach Dagnott doubt whether he knew the score gap.
Degnott recalled that other trial players "are you polite, you can't meet the professional game level at all", but Caruso still successfully left an indelible impression on the management.
"Caruso soon discovered that others were confused at all," Dagnot, the current head coach of the Thunder (coaching the fifth season), recently told ESPN. "When the trial was halfway through, he became the coach on the court, which is his style of doing things."
In the afternoon of the same day, Caruso won the last quota of the Blues, receiving an annual salary of $13,000 plus a signing bonus. That season, Caruso became the passionate leader of the Blues, leading the team to a record of 34 wins and 16 losses as the starting point guard, and entered the second round of the Development League playoffs.
Caruso regarded that season as a critical period for laying his foundation, which was crucial for him to later establish the position of a defensive champion in the NBA. A few years later, he won the championship ring with the Lakers. This season, Caruso returned to the Thunder as a "veteran" and became the youngest and most talented core member of the league. Eight years ago, he was coaching the trial sparring players who were temporarily pulled from Tulsa, and now Caruso is the Thunder's locker room leader, and his experience is guiding the Thunder to launch an attack on the championship. After being reversed by the Pacers in the final quarter, G2 Caruso and the Thunder equalized the score at home in the series, and this victory is crucial to the trend of the finals.
Caruso admitted that the season in the Development League was full of setbacks. When the Blue Team teammates were called up one after another, he could only continue to practice hard. Despite being highly recommended by coach Dagnott and then general manager of the Blue Team Brandon Barnett (current Thunder Personnel Director), he still missed the opportunity to obtain a two-way contract.
"Presti later admitted to me," Caruso told ESPN with his signature cold humor, "that time he missed it." After the contract for the 2016-17 season expired, Caruso left Oklahoma to turn to Los Angeles, eventually turning his summer league contract into a two-way contract, and made great contributions to the Lakers' championship as a defensive substitute in the 2019-20 season. He joined the Bulls in the summer of 2021 and was twice selected for the All-Defensive Team in the following seasons after the Lakers refused to match the Bulls’ four-year $37 million offer (another example of underestimating Caruso’s value).
Thunder general manager Presti finally got Caruso through a trade last summer, making up for the misjudgment that year.
Caruso's career completed a closed loop in Oklahoma City. Now he returns as a championship puzzle, becoming the Thunder’s dream defensive veteran adhesive, a perfect role player who can enhance his superstar teammates with rich experience.
Caruso's influence is far beyond the data's ability to reflect.
"It's great to be able to work with him again," said Coach Degnot. "I enjoyed coaching him, and it was the case back then, and it's even more exciting. What's more exciting is that we are more focused on the future than the past. Despite our history of cooperation, there is a longer journey ahead waiting for us to move forward."
Caruso's joining, coupled with the free agent center Haltenstein, has transformed the Thunder from a championship contender to a favorite this season. In this youth army with MVP Alexander, All-Star wing Jaylen Williams and second-place show Homegren, Caruso is a perfect puzzle. He is both one of the league's most destructive defenders and an offensive link that can enhance the performance of superstar teammates.
"At that time, I immediately realized that from the perspective of my technical characteristics and team needs, this is a perfect match." Caruso said, "And with a certain kind of confidence and pride, I firmly believe that no matter which team I join, I can win."
For this team that set the second youngest record in the finals of the 24-second offensive era, Caruso, who just turned 31, can still bring invisible wealth.
"He is a top contender, and we are eager to attract more of these players." Thunder general manager Presti said at a post-trade press conference. "Specifically, the intelligence of such players can improve the overall level. What we really need is players who have both mind and passion."
Caruso's role on the court varies from game to game, and even different in each quarter. During the playoffs, Caruso took turns defending stars from Grizzlies Lightning point guard Morant to Nuggets giant Jokic, who is 2.11 meters tall and weighs 129 kilograms.
"It's interesting because he (Degnot) is like a crazy science genius who is obsessed with fine-tuning, always digging out the available tactical details." Caruso commented on Thunder head coach Degnot.
"He has never had a moment of selfishness or slackness, which has created unshakable prestige." Coach Dagnott said, "Even when he was younger than all his teammates, he already possessed this trait, and now he has become the oldest existence in the team."
Original text: Tim MacMahon
Translated by: Li Taibai