Alex Caruso looks like a completely regular guy. Despite playing for the Lakers and living in Los Angeles, he goes about his life in a pretty normal fashion. Caruso can go about his business and not be bothered unlike many other celebrities in Hollywood. Standing at six feet and five inches with a balding scalp, nothing about the Texas A&M standout screams LA. In fact, he looks like another guy you see at your men's league.
However, Alex has proved himself to be much more than that, becoming a serious cult icon for the Lakers. He is a fan favorite at the Staples Center, and is it really a surprise? A scrawny white guy that absolutely yams on defenders, he is the new age Billy Hoyle. I mean, did you see his dunk against the Grizzlies last night? As the King would say. . .
The way he runs the court and passes pairs up perfectly with Lebron James, and the two have built quite the rapport with each other. Caruso even has had a mural painted of him in LA, as fans rave over his jaw-dropping dunks, and athletic plays.
Despite 'The White Mamba's' fame on Twitter and in LA, it's time to start talking about how he is MORE than just a cult star. There has been many through the years; Scal, Spud, Wally, and now Tacko Fall are all great examples of guys that were hugely popular but mediocre when it came to playing.
I am not saying the Carushow is miles ahead of these guys because he isn't. But, I think he is well on his way to becoming the best cult hero of this century. The dude is just so relatable, and every middle-aged white dude is living vicariously through him right now.
Statistically, his 5.5 points per game does not stand out on the page, but his efficiency does, especially on the defensive end. He is probably one of the best defenders on the Lakers, and their Defensive Rating when he is on the court proves that. When he is playing their defensive rating is 7.4 points BETTER. That is the biggest difference on the Lakers for players that have played over 500 minutes this season.
His energy and spark off the bench is refreshing for a Lakers team that can be frustrating at times, especially with Rondo on the floor. But as Caruso keeps getting more minutes, his fame and aura grows. Hell, the guy got 1,284,932 All-Star Votes and finished above Curry, Westbrook and Booker in the Western Conference.
Nevertheless, Alex Caruso is a legitimately good basketball player, and a real contributor on a team that is vying for an NBA championship. But who am I kidding, I love the dunk reels and memes just as much as everyone else.
