(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
The Phoenix Suns weren’t supposed to have much trouble against the Chicago Bulls.
With Bradley Beal making his debut for Frank Vogel’s team and the Bulls struggling to find early momentum this season, this was supposed to be a somewhat easy win for the visiting Suns.
That was far from the case.
The Suns jumped to an early 18-point lead, but Billy Donovan’s team was quick to fight its way back into the game.
The teams went back and forth, and the Suns struggled to close the game out due in large part to a key second-half adjustment by the Bulls.
Bulls guard Alex Caruso took care of guarding Kevin Durant, holding him to 1 for 7 from the floor with one block (via NBACentral)
Alex Caruso’s defense vs Kevin Durant last night:
1/7 FG
2 turnovers
1 block
(Via @nbastats ) pic.twitter.com/3JRq8iDSJO
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) November 9, 2023
Caruso was stellar on both ends of the floor, forcing turnovers and causing frustration despite being five inches shorter than Durant.
He’s established himself as one of the best, peskiest, and most dominant defenders in the league, and one could argue that he’s actually the Bulls’ most tradable asset.
Zach LaVine is making too much money, and he doesn’t play defense.
DeMar DeRozan is aging and doesn’t shoot threes, not to mention his well-documented woes in the postseason.
And Nikola Vucevic cannot defend the pick-and-roll and struggles against physical big men.
That leaves Caruso as a highly-coveted asset that multiple teams would love to have.
He’s a championship-caliber role player who could gauge plenty of interest if the Bulls decide to become sellers.
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