Oklahoma City Thunder star Isaiah Joe has offered kind words for one of his teammates.
The Oklahoma City Thunder are preparing to take on the Indiana Pacers in the NBA Finals and attempt to win the organization’s first championship.
This is a new experience for the talented Oklahoma City Thunder roster despite their fantastic season record, where they recorded 68 wins.
Inexperience could be the only threat to OKC – but one player on their squad helps balance that out, former LA Lakers title winner Alex Caruso.
Speaking ahead of the finals, Isaiah Joe was asked about Alex Caruso, and had plenty of kind words.
Quizzed about what makes Alex Caruso so special, Isaiah Joe explained that it is the former Chicago Bulls star’s mentality.
Joe told the media: “I think it’s just his will to win. I think you can see it. He’s gritty. He’s laying it on the line every night, all 48 minutes.
“Every minute he’s out there on the court he tries to make a difference. He does a hell of a job with that.
“I think he’s a leader. He leads with his voice and he leads by example. That’s AC.”
Joe also reflected on Caruso’s leadership and how his know-how from winning the title before, is a clear and obvious calming benefit to the team, heading into the finals.
“I think he just kind of brings that leadership role to a team. So he’s always willing to drop down knowledge.
“He’s been in positions like this. He knows what to expect. He’s a veteran. He’s been around. He knows what goes on.”
Caruso was recently commended for his performances by Magic Johnson, with the OKC star admitting he was taken aback by the praise.
Isaiah Joe had comments to offer too about the Oklahoma City Thunder’s success, with the franchise reaching the finals for the first time since 2012.
Joe explained: “I think our ability to grow each and every moment, each and every game. We take everything as a learning experience.
“So in doing so, we get better after each game. I think that’s something that’s kind of helped us along the way throughout the entire season, is we never settle, we never get complacent.
“We just want to keep rising.”
OKC have been tipped to launch a dynasty of success with a title victory in 2025 and they head into the series as the favorites.
But the comments from Joe shows the team are taking everything in their stride and not getting carried away. They have to win this year first.
