[Trey Kirby/No Dunks] Alex Caruso would probably be the Western Conference Finals MVP through 5 games
it’ll auto go to Shai lol
It’ll go to Shai because the spurs are running an inverted triangle and 2 on him and Shai is still averaging 9 more points a game
I agree which is why its kind of a travesty Jaylen Brown got FMVP over Tatum when Tatum was initiating everything against a tough coverage lol
You want me to watch an actual basketball game?
What is this? School?
Yea it’s a bit different because most of Jaylen browns buckets were self created and he also created a lot of opportunities for his teammates
Point Tatum won us the series
Jaylen Brown made Luka work like a fucking dog dont start with this 🤣
Tatum stans gonna rush in here trying to gaslight people into believing Browns defense actually wasnt good that series, or worse, that Tatum’s was better. Sorry, we know what we saw and so did the voters
Tatum led the team in total points rebounds and assists while being a major contributor defensively. The way you’re putting it makes it seem like Brown carried. I think the Fmvp that year could’ve gone either way because when I go back and watch the highlights, a lot of it is just JB going right at Luka while being a huge factor on defense as well.
JB did an awesome job on Luka, but Tatum defending their centers broke the entire Mavs offense
NBA Media hates Tatum it’s crazy
Someone posted yesterday an ESPN screencap from 2024 and it was “Will Jayson Tatum answer questions about his play?” with “Tatum (BOS) 32 Pts 12 Rebs 4 Asts 3 Stls” beneath it, crazy times
Everyone hates Tatum for no real reason. As a Knick fan, I have the right to hate him though, so I don’t count
A travesty though?
You don’t get the award for hypothetical baskets you’re responsible for.
not a travesty at all they both had cases but jaylen brown was the sleeper pick for mvp odds for the very reason he was balling playing the best ball of his career so far
only 9 more ppg than Caruso is kinda crazy tho, his advanced stats are also insane and thats with a 0 point game
Only 9 more PPG
…and 9 more Assists per game.
Yeah everyone is acting like his efficiency isn’t a thing. When was the last time someone posted that volume and TS% in the conference finals?
Luka averaged 32/10/8 on 62.7 TS% two years ago.
Jokic averaged 28/15/12 on 59.8 TS% three years ago.
LeBron averaged 27/10/9 on 60.8 TS% in 2020.
SGA himself averaged 31/5/8 on 56.7 TS% last year.
So… the majority of western conference finals this decade have had at least one guy putting up this level of volume on this level of efficiency.
two years ago. and three years ago. and four years ago
oh yeah and last year SGA did it too. but better
He’s talking about Carusos efficiency which has been crazy. Shaes has actually been pretty dog shit
You aint turtely enough for me.
If MVP was decided purely by scoring Luka would have won this year. But people kept bringing up defense, so Caruso should have an argument.
Shai is also not a bad defender. So you can’t hold that against him like you can Luka.
Also, the gap between Shai and Luka in scoring and playmaking is MUCH smaller than the gap between Caruso and Shai.
Because Shai is the only reason Caruso is getting 10 wide open shots a game
Iggy got a FMVP under the same pretense.
I think most people had Iggy winning the FMVP because he had to defend LeBron
Which is and was dumb.
Sure but LeBron ate that series, it’s not like he was slowed down much. At the time, gravity wasn’t fully appreciated and the sports view stat cameras were in their early days. If that series happened now, curry would have won fmvp
48% TS, 3.5 TO
he was high volume that series because his team sucked due to love/irving injuries
Yeah, the narrative was the Warriors won that series with defense. LeBron’s counting stats were historic, but 5 out of 6 games it was just LeBron, Timothy Mozgov, JR Smith, Tristan Thompson, Matthew Dellavedova, and Iman Shumpert.
So when it came time to pick FMVP, they went with the guy who held LeBron to low efficiency and was hyper-efficient himself.
Not only that but once Iggy entered the starting lineup they never lost a game after that. They were down 1-2 before that
yes
Caruso isn’t just the MVP for offensive contributions. He’s the MVP for defense and the most consistent and impactful player for OKC in the series.
He had 0 points in game 4 , wouldn’t say most consistent
Cason / iHart have clearly been their best denders
This is not the only reason. And at least half his shots are not wide open
Shai has way better counting stats. Unless he continues to shoot poorly for 2 more games and Caruso drops 2 more 30 point bombs, it will probably go to Shai, assuming OKC wins.
You never know, the voters could pull a 2015 Iguodala on us
Maybe, on top of the scoring and efficiency and although Shai is a solid defender, Caruso is a tier or two above and within this series specifically Caruso has been playing some of his best defense.
Nah they only want to disrespect Steph(I am an angry warriors fan still salty about that being robbed from him)
Iggy deserved it
Over curry 26ppg? Over curry 29ppg last 3 games? Come on
not surprised a blazers fan has a brain dead take like this
Never said he didn’t?
Makes you wonder why they gave finals MVP to Brown over Tatum a few years ago if it just “auto” goes to the top player. I’d vote Caruso right now.
They also gave Eastern Conference Finals MVP to Siakam over Haliburton last year
He deserved it 100%. Hali was running the offense but Siakam was the bucket-getter and did all the little things. The Pacers system is awesomely run by Haliburton but Siakam was the actual guy who scores, the team would really fall apart without him.
Yeah. Siakam was their 1-on-1 beater for the starting lineup. Things get out of hand, they just gave it to him and let him work to stop a run.
BECAUSE THEY ARE VERY CLOSE IN STAR POWER BROWN SIGNED A SUPERMAX LIKE THE OFFSEASON AFTER RIGHT? IDK MAN DAMMIT CAPS
I like that you’re very passionate about the topic of 2024 Finals MVP
some heat fans had their psyche affected after 5 straight years of seeing jaylen brown hit the most gut wrenching buckets again and again. im one of em
Caruso had 0 points is game 4, I don’t think it could possibly be him unless he just goes nuclear the next game(s)
One of those cases where i wouldnt be mad with a role player getting it, specially if he has another big game in a close out win.
Along with 2 free throws.
Nah, it will go to Caruso. He can just tell the voters to award it to him and they are thereby mandated. I believe that’s how the precedent works anyhow
i don’t think shai is a guy to turn down awards tbh, i think he cares about his legacy a lot
i would too
Oh, I honestly don’t give a shit, I was just making a joke about how Caruso is capable of dictating when technical fouls are called in the moment, on the floor, so by all means, should he desire such a trophy, he may have it then and there
Kinda of absurd considering how much of the burden is being handled by SGA, even if SGA’s numbers are lower than they usually are. My favorite stat that I learned today is that Caruso has been open by an average of 10.5 feet on his 3 point attempts…SGA’s gravity is creating that space.
yep. watching replays of spurs defense, they all collapse on shai soon as he enters the mid range or try to slice to the paint. bro is fighting hell strongest soldiers with satan standing at 7”4 waiting. which leads to his team being wide open but the bench when he is off the floor are also looking good because it’s different look for the spurs defense who are hyper focus on shai
Satan 😂😂
He’s worse than Satan.
He’s a Spur
And French.
the worst of all
We were putting Vic on him that’s why there is so much space
Yeah Vic has been cheating into the paint to join the other 4 Spurs surrounding SGA
Literally doesn’t make any sense
Everything Caruso is doing is because of Shai on offense.
This is not a Tatum Brown situation where both players are getting near equal attention from defenses
You can bring up stats but watching the games the spurs are not going to let Shai get to his spots, which is opening up Carusos entire offensive game
The thing is that Caruso is a big reason they’re actually winning the games. The Spurs were putting Wemby on Caruso so he can sag off and roam the paint, but he’s actually hit several threes over Wemby now. He’s not just shooting pretty good, he’s shooting 58% from 3. He’s also arguably the best defender out there for the Thunder. Because he needs someone to actually guard him and stop his looks from 3, the Spurs had to switch off Wemby to someone else, which has opened up looks in the paint.
It’s also Caruso’s defense and overall impact though - he’s making a way bigger impact then Shai, and it’s showing up statistically too. For example, the Thunder are plus-42 with Caruso on the floor in the series and minus-33 when he sits. The Thunder aren’t even winning SGA’s minutes. Also, he already has double digit deflections, loose balls, and he’s a guard defending a 7’4 center. It’s insane. There was a CBSSports article that talked about this all today - made a very compelling case for Caruso.
Caruso hasn’t been guarding Wemby since the game 1 loss when Wemby had 40, and as for plus minus, SGA is on the floor every minute that Wemby is, Caruso gets the benefit of a lot of non-Wemby minutes. I don’t think the plus minus scores are telling the full story. Spurs entire defense is oriented to stop SGA and while he’s looked more human this series he’s been getting his teammates wide open looks with no other PG help.
Also SGA’s defense has been damn good, he’s got 10 steals to Caruso’s 8, they both have 5 blocks.
That’s just not true. SGA isn’t on the floor every minute Wemby is. And Spurs have won Wemby’s minutes by +42 points.
And re: defense - anyone watching knows that Caruso’s impact on defense has been much bigger. He’s been by far the best defensive player on the Thunder. Tons of loose balls, deflections, and grit plays. Obvious to anyone watching. Look I think Shai’s a great basketball player, but the reality is he was even getting subbed out on defensive possessions at the end of Game 1.
And agree Shai is a big focus for San Antonio defense obviously. That doesn’t change the fact that he’s not having his best series, and Caruso’s just been making a huge impact on both ends of the floor, as evidenced by both the plus/minus and eye test watching and seeing his impact on both sides of the floor.
Just seconding this.
Eye test says a lot and as you mentioned, notably higher rate of deflections and loose ball recoveries. Having a couple more steals doesn’t really tell the story here.
Cason Wallace has also been an absolute menace on deflections. It’s actually a big part of the Spurs losing last game. He clipped so many critical shots when Spurs were trying to get back in it.
Forsure. Also just saw this on Twitter:
Victor Wembanyama when guarded by Alex Caruso this series: 4⁄9 FG (44.4%) 1⁄5 3PT (20.0%) 3 turnovers
Caruso when guarded by Wemby: 13⁄17 FG (76.5%) 9⁄11 3PT (81.8%) 1 turnover
Just insane by Caruso.
He’s just been taking over entire stretches of these games on both ends, it’s really incredible
The back to back MVP is going to have an insane amount of gravity, obviously, but it’s a little disingenuous to state that as the primary reason when that’s what the Spurs are doing by design (up for debate as to whether it’s really working when he can shoot like this)
Why is that their design though? Because they’re looking for someone they can help off of, because SGA requires help.
I find it shocking that people dont naturally make that connection lol
Wembanyama has done it against every Spurs playoff opponent though…
Or it’s how the spurs have played defense all year.
Replace Caruso with Christian Braun - He’s a more expensive lesser version of Caruso in a lot of ways (primary defender, bad shooter, some limited playmaking, doesn’t get guarded in corners and at FT line). Do you think this series is still 3-2 with Christian Braun?
Caruso has won them multiple games. It probably would be 4-1 Spurs if Caruso wasn’t balling out.
I wouldn’t take 5 Christian Brauns for 1 Caruso and I wouldn’t take 20 Christian Brauns for 1 SGA
100 Christian Brauns versus 1 Braun bear, who are you taking?
3 Brawny Paper Towel Guys
Replace Shai with Donovan Mitchell…do you think this series is still 3-2 with Donovan Mitchell?
people talk about Mccain but the games Mccain did well..the Thunder were going to win those games either way, the games he did bad..the Thunder lost partly due to him IMO
Caruso has flat out made then win games in big moments, and hes almost never the reason they lose a game. His stats mean nothing too, a true motor hustle defensive guy like Caruso doesnt show up in stat sheets half the time. Caruso has been the MVP vs the Spurs
Caruso and CB are nothing alike apart from being white lol
that’s a bad take cause OKC stood no chance if Shai didn’t play either. but I like to give caruso the trophy since at the end of the day, no one counts the WCF MVPs for shai’s career but it would means the world for someone like caruso who helped more than 1 team win the chip.
it’s what happened to curry
this is far less to do with gravity than it is Spurs daring Caruso to shoot
He’s been great, but didn’t know he secretly Is the greatest 3pt shooter of all time.
But you got Devin “Jesus Shuttlesworth” Vassel. I fucking love watching him shoot 3’s with his form. Except ofc if he makes them against us lol
True. But besides that one game Caruso is looking like prime curry, Feels like hes not missing anything.
Until game 5 I swear I had never seen him miss a 3
You obviously don’t know about Landry “92% from 3 in the ECF” Shamet.
This might be the most absurd NBA playoff series performance I’ve ever seen. And 13 3 pointers is not a tiny sample size either (though not huge)
This guy is a career 38.6% shooter. Over 4 games he shot 239% better than that.
Must be the James Harden curse or something
How it felt watching Landry shoot like that against the Cavs
Rui also couldn’t miss during the playoffs. Lots of role players going off. It’s fun to see
He might be the greatest 3pt shooter of all time not named Landry.
what I’m frustrated about this is: Wemby is the one guarding him most of the time. they’re just leaving him most of the time
https://www.nba.com/stats/players/shots-closest-defender?TeamID=1610612760&OpponentTeamID=1610612759&CloseDefDistRange=6%2B+Feet+-+Wide+Open&PerMode=Totals
This app can show you that Caruso has attempted 24 wide open threes (6+ feet) and 7 open (3-6 ft). Other than that, he isn’t even shooting any contested threes. Just play him tight with someone other than Wemby and make him drive. He’s still okay at driving and kicking, but hey, 2 is less than 3.
Why would you leave him wide open anymore after game 3?
People keep complaining that he’s getting open looks because of Shai so it’s not that impressive. Shooting 58% from 3 in the playoffs, open or not, is goddamn impressive.
This is a legendary hot streak going on right now, combined with elite defense.
Excuse me sir, the greatest 3 point shooter ever is Landry Shamet
They’ve been giving him wide open looks
Also very true
theres a real sneaky case building from media members
Oh interesting, that would have been a more notable quote to post. I think MacMahon probably has a real vote for it as he’s covering the series.
Sure but does MacMahon have a southern lawyer voice?
Fucking wild ass takes
It’s thinly veiled SGA hate.
SGA has been well below expectations, so it feels a little wrong to still give him the award even if he’s objectively the best. That he’s been double teamed all the time and is getting a lot of assists is indicative he would be the best player, but you can only award based on the actual play. If they put 5 players on him every possession and he never touched the ball, would you still want him getting awarded?
26 points and 10 assists per game is #1 on the Thunder by a large margin.
He’s been their most important and most valuable player this series.
I absolutely cannot stand Shai, but he has been by far and away the most impactful and most valuable player on OKC this series, and it blows my mind that people who do this as their full time job can’t see that. The ONLY reason Caruso (and their other role players for that matter) have been able to cook the way they have is because of the Spurs doubling SGA.
The Spurs entire defensive gameplan this series has been to attempt to neutralize Shai at the expense of leaving their role players wide open. This results in guys like Caruso being left wide open, or at the very least, when they receive the ball their man is way out of position as a result of the defense rotating off of SGA doubles.
If the Spurs instead switched their gameplan to doubling Caruso, Caruso would be averaging 2 ppg while Shai would be averaging 50 and this series would have ended 4 days ago.
If anyone on the Thunder wins WCF MVP other than Shai, it would be an absolute travesty.
it’s not sneaky to anyone who’s watched the games
if he didn’t have that stinker in game 4 then definitely
Agreed. That would be the only reason it wouldn’t happen but otherwise he’s been a true difference maker in the series.
Isn’t he still averaging 21 points with a dud in there. He’s been unreal.
No, it’s 17 if you include the dud.
since it was a blowout loss game 4 might be considered a wash for the whole team.
No, the guy who’s leading the Thunder in both points and assists should.
Everything Caruso is doing on the offensive end is enabled by the defensive attention that SGA draws.
People are so desperate to discredit SGA that all of a sudden, Caruso, a guy who people constantly claim is “playing football” is now being pushed as WCF MVP, just so SGA doesn’t get it.
I think there’s precedent for awarding Caruso over SGA because of the Iguodala 2015 Finals MVP. Whether or not it should be Caruso over Shai is a legitimate question, but I don’t think Caruso has played nearly enough minutes and Shai has been incredible with his playmaking in several of these games. But I think it will be moot when he goes off with his scoring to close the series out and put all of his doubters to rest.
No. Caruso has been a stud. Shai playing OK, but I’d give it to Caruso unless Shai has a monster game to close it, Caruso’s been over his head good.
I don’t think you have to view every bit of commentary on this series as a referendum on SGA. Some might just think Caruso is playing very well overall.
I think the point about being a dependent/secondary player is a good one and important, but there is a threshold of poor shooting by the play creator and good shooting by the play finisher at which I think it’s reasonable think about awarding the series MVP differently, as has happened in the past.
Caruso doesn’t eat without SGA. Caruso is a major X factor, but he’s operating off the advantage and decisions that SGA creates.
This is why it’s so rare to see a WR win a Superbowl MVP. If someone has to get you the ball like this, your individual performance is based a lot on them.
If that was true they’d have the same plus minus
It is true, because Caruso has the luxury of playing off the bench, where Shai has to battle it out with Starters.
Switch Caruso with Shai’s minutes, and I would bet the Thunder would win the minutes Shai checks in once the Thunder are down 15 to start the game
The non-Wemby Spurs this year are a completely different team and I suspect Caruso has played more of those minutes
He was wemby’s main defender in the first game if you remember. AC was a +0, SGA was -15.
+ / - also says the Knicks are a better team without Brunson and the Wolves better without Ant…
The argument against SGA is that the Thunder bench (including Caruso obviously) have been absolutely dominant in his minutes on the bench. So much so that SGA has a pretty large negative on/off. The counter to that is about lineups but in the playoffs the lineups are a lot more consistent and less noisy.
To be clear, obviously SGA is a much, much better player than Caruso. But though 5 games, where SGA has had 2 bad games and 2 good games, Caruso has had 4 good games while being the Thunder’s best defender.
It’s like talking about OG on the Knicks. OG is their third best player but he’s been their best player throughout the playoffs.
Gravity
Look at the type of open catch and shoot shots SGA is creating for Caruso. Caruso is a great player, but offensively he is playing mostly off advantage that SGA creates.
Sure but Caruso is still shooting like 25% better than expected on open 3s. Open or not, pushing 60% 3 point percentage is absolutely insane.
Also, it can’t just be SGA’s gravity because their on/off numbers are so wildly different. Caruso’s number correlates more with Mitchell’s minutes, which also explains why SGA”s number is so poor.
Lol. He had 0 points in game 4. Absolute joke if he gets it but I guess who knows
lol nah. All things only possible through Shai.
Look I love AC. I think there is some argument to be made.
But here is the most important question - if you had to pick just 1 of SGA and AC to have on your team this series, who would you pick?
I only watch the thunder because of AC and I would pick SGA.
He is the sexual orca but I couldn’t pick him over SGA even with the far better advanced stats.
At this point I think the Thunder would lose this series without either of them.
That goes without saying.
Here is a more interesting question.
If jdub and Ajay were healthy who could you do without more?
On that measure I might choose AC as the MVP over SGA.
In this series with jdub and Ajay out I think you need SGA more than AC
I mean objectively “MVP” is tied to performance not value these days, especially counting stats
I don’t think anyone wouldn’t trade SGA for Wemby straight up yet SGA won league MVP
The Spurs got played off the court this series when Wemby was off it. Ergo if we were literal about WCF MVP it would have to be Wemby
Big if, it’s far from over
But no he’s not
Ayyyooooo
Please don’t give that award to Flagrant Caillou.
Obviously I’m not a fan of SGA but thats ridiculous, and follows an old tale
A secondary player benefiting greatly because the opposing team is focusing almost solely on the primary player.
Tale as old as time
Opposing coach has the biggest influence on finals MVP.
You can choose to either sell out to try to shut down the star or his supporting cast, can’t do both
Kerr philosophy would be to not sell out and make LeBron earn it.
Lue blitzed curry and Iguodala and Durant feasted, while Barnes missed wide open shots in the corner
So the Starters are still doing podcasting
No dunks - daily show
Everything is possible only because of SGA. Carusos numbers aren’t even that outlandish
This kind of thinking is what saw Jaylen Brown get FMVP, when the burden and load was on Tatum. It’s just different playing as the number one option and the opposing defense tries to stop you. Even goes back to stuff like Iguodala getting FMVP over Steph (though that was more egregious statswise, even with the defense against Lebron argument which was overblown IMO).
This is like when they gave the FMVP to Iggy. Like sure he had a good series defending LeBron or whatever but the warriors would’ve got swept without curry just like OKC would be losing without Shai. Even had some dumbass on here the other day saying that as a spurs fan you would prefer Caruso sat the rest of the series instead of Shai like they wouldn’t lose every game by 20 without the MVP.
Was thinking the exact same thing
I don’t think anyone who thinks AC is the MVP should be taken seriously. This is giving me Iggy finals MVP vibes.
I mean, this year’s awards proved once again that NBA voters are braindead, so anything is possible.
As much as I like caruso in this series him and mccain are eating because of sga. His assist numbers support that point.
That being said Caruso brings unmatched energy immediately on both sides of the floor. I’m not mad at this
+5500 odds lmao lets be realistic for a second. you cant deny shai’s gravity, caruso would not he getting those open looks without the main guy
No
Everyone looking at the offensive output but he’s been their best defender and hustle guy imo
Mr Chaos
Fate of the universe on the line, i want alex caruso!
Fly Bald Eagle Fly
Yeah, they cannot win without Caruso. Spurs won game 1, very close game. Game 4 loss, zero impact from Caruso.
We’ve never seen gravity or defense like this. SGA is triple teamed at the logo and pentuple teamed in the paint. He has three to five players on him anywhere over half court.
I know you’re joking but it drives me crazy when idiot fans call regular help defense a double or triple team.
Hey man I’ve listened to this argument and seen pictures for years with Curry. Now I’m seeing SGA get double and triple teamed at the logo and all 5 collapse when he drives.
And yes this is double and triple teams. The moment he touches the ball they’re sending second and third defenders to… double and triple team him. Way outside the arc. This is going beyond “help defense” if there’s multiple guys guarding before he drives. Sure, sometimes it’s a 3-2 trap defense, but that’s still a double team or a triple. They’re trying to shut it down before he can make a move.
And if it is single coverage, they’re sending help defense super early. Like the coach said as soon as SGA starts to make a move, someone split off and double him on the drive immediately, before he can penetrate.
Is it a joke? Kind of.. but not really. And no, I’m not an idiot fan. Kind of funny to say that here with all the other nonsense being spread around.
the only reason Caruso is shooting 60% form three in the first place is because they are tilting their entire defense towards shai and leaving Caruso wide open intentionally.
He still has to make the shots, obviously, and his energy has been HUGE but shai is demanding one of the most slanted defensive coverages we’ve seen in the playoffs in the last few years and still averaging 26⁄10.
Shai hasn’t been shai, but he’s still the main reason OKC is winning these teams.
He had a zero point game. & one of his best games (g1) was a loss.
Idk never say never I suppose, definitely DG 2013 finals energy.
I love AC with all my heart but no way can he get mvp with a 0 point game
Obviously not but good way to farm some engagement.
No he wouldn’t . 0 points and a -22 in game 4.
I still never understood why rob let caruso walk :/ forever the only thing i have hated the lakers FO for.
Lu vs Dort Wite
It’s obviously SGA who makes the whole ship run, but Caruso has been the swing factor for sure
😂😂😂😂😂 yeah right Shai is averaging almost 10 more ppg than Caruso . MVP
Caruso is the X factor. SGA is still the MVP on the team.
Alex had 0 points in game 4 it will go to SGA
Or it’s the guy who averages 9 more points and has the entire opposing defense keyed onto him
Love this guy.
Ayo
I think he should 100% win it. We immediately go on runs everytime he comes in. Carsuo jwill jmac and cason pass the ball really well amongst them. It is honestly quite nice to watch. Need 1 more big game from the fellas
He’s been the best two way player on OKC by a mile
I still think it should be Shai if OKC wins because of Caruso’s game 4 stinker but outside of game 4 yeah I would actually say Caruso has been better. But it should still be Shai imo just because the Spurs have had to base their game plan around stopping Shai and Caruso is a role player getting hot, if they game planed around stopping Caruso instead of Shai obviously Shai would be way better. Although obviously the Spurs still have a shot and Wemby should clearly be WCF MVP if they do win. He’s still pretty clearly the best player this series from either an eye test or statistical perspective even though he had an atrocious game 5.
However I highly doubt Shai will put up 2 bad games and Caruso’s shooting is likely unsustainable so I wouldn’t be surprised if Shai becomes the clear best player in the series overall in the last 2, he’s still a deserving MVP player after all.
Please god let this happen, I’ll buy everything nba related if they give it Caruso, please I swear to God, All is forgiven
AGREED! The Thunder are +42 with Caruso on the floor in the series and -33 when he sits. Meanwhile, they are only even in Shai’s minutes. Caruso’s impact is just massive on both ends of the floor.
Also, defense is half the game. Caruso is a guard defending a 7’4 center who’s their best player. Shai got subbed out for defensive possessions at the end of Game 1. Caruso is just making a huge impact.
I know realistically it SHOULD go to Shai because of his impact, but damn I would love this going to Caruso. He also absolutely deserving, and Shai can settle for finals mvp lol
what are we doing here…. this is hot take masquerading as analytics
If Shai has a pedestrian game by his standards and if McCain or Caruso have monster. And I mean MONSTER games in game 6 and win, one of the two will get it
Shai is still averaging 26⁄10 and while the efficiency isn’t quite there that’s to be expected when a team is selling out to stop you. Caruso or McCain getting it would be like Andre winning it over Steph. And please don’t tell me that Iggy deserved it cause he guarded LeBron when that wasn’t the case lol
Iggy didn’t, but I think Caruso has a stronger case through 5 games.
Open or not, 80% TS is disgusting. There’s a lot of dudes in the NBA who get open 3s, and very few of them go on a hot streak shooting 58% from 3.
There is no universe where mccain wins it, what
Neither have a slither of a chance
I thought Reddit posters were reactionary
He left the lakers. He is dead to me
Nerds ruin sports
You can argue nuances, but Caruso is absolutely MVP to this point.