The Chicago Bulls are off the snide. On Tuesday, Alex Caruso was named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team, becoming the first player in franchise history to earn the distinction since Jimmy Butler (Second Team) did so seven years ago.
The 29-year-old guard received 125 points — and 50 First-Team votes.
In a career-high 67 games, Caruso averaged 1.5 steals, finished sixth in the league in deflections, and nearly blocked as many shots as he had in each of the past three seasons combined. And for good measure, he drew more offensive fouls (47) than all but seven players in the Association.
Let the pro basketball analysis site Dunks & Threes tell it, no one had a more impactful presence on defense than Caruso, who helped the Bulls hold opponents to 106.5 points per 100 possessions when he was on the court.
Caruso won a championship with the Los Angeles Lakers three years ago. But, the six-year vet had never snagged an individual honor before Tuesday.
His commendation comes on the heels of seldom-used Dalen Terry being shut out from All-Rookie Team voting and DeMar DeRozan falling well short of the inaugural Clutch Player of the Year title.
And, with the All-NBA Teams being the last matter of business left to settle, Caruso likely owns the only piece of hardware any Bull will see from the 2022-23 season.
