Alex Caruso thinks San Antonio is a Finals team, for more than Webby

Oklahoma City Thunder a veteran Alec Caruso see a team that is tailor-made to compete for championships in the future San Antonio Spurs All-Star Victor Vembanyamathe supporting cast of a young, diverse group of guardians. In front The Spurs potentially sweep the Thunder’s season series 4-0 at the Pike Center on Tuesday, Caruso compared the young core to last year’s Thunder team and its NBA Finals opponent, the Indiana Pacers.

Caruso revealed his attitude on the Spurs guard’s potential during a walk-through of the Thunder ahead of Tuesday’s game.

“I think that’s the pattern the league is going for. I think that’s why us and Indiana made it to the finals,” Caruso said. “We had more guys making reads, making plays, depending on what the defense told you to take. There were four or five guys on the field at any given time for both teams on the biggest stage, and that’s how both of them played.”

“The game has morphed into a dribble, pass, shoot; anybody can do everything politely. But it’s really getting to the point where it’s like you have to have three or four guys on the court at all times who can take people off the dribble, shoot, make the right play. It’s just harder to guard when you do that.”

For Caruso, the margin of error is razor thin against the Spurs.

“There’s no defense door where it’s like, OK, you can shut this down, and force it here, or do this,” Caruso added. “You’ve just got to be really sharp with your k and o in your habits of closing, laying out, winning one-on-ones, moving as a team in the shell, and those are some of the tougher things to do because, like I said before, the guys are really, really good.”

Alex Caruso on defending Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama

Ahead of Tuesday’s game, the Thunder guard Alex Caruso revealed the secret to keeping Victor Wembanyamawhich he learned the hard way amid the defending champions’ three defeats in 12 days to Spurs. Caruso’s one-on-one approach is fatal against Wembanyama, whether you’re one of the greatest defenders in league history or not, the All-Star phenom will make you pay.

“Play him, obviously, don’t go 1-on-1. Well, I say that — I played that last game, he got a layup,” Caruso said. “I think you’ve got to be smart. You’ve got to be smart with your offense like any good defender. If you’ve got a great Jrue Holiday or Tony Allen, you’re not going to try to play one-on-one from the wing; that’s not a very good option for you.

“Try to move him, get him out of his shell, get him all the way; just find different ways to put him in positions that aren’t beneficial for him, but are for us.”

The Spurs are the only team to beat the Thunder more than once, and they will be looking for their fourth away win on Tuesday.