Coach Daigneault reveals Alex Caruso's "pressure" is preparing the team for regular season opener

The 2024 NBA preseason has been all about establishing the correct mindset and habits for the Oklahoma City Thunder. It seems like the wise thing to do to enter a year jam-packed with pressure and expectations. Using the timeless “one day at a time” approach, the team has slowed the pace down and emphasized building chemistry in the locker room and unity on the court.

Helping push these principles has been the recently acquired Alex Caruso. The Thunder went for the perennial All-Defensive guard for many reasons. Perhaps the biggest is the leadership edge he delivers.

Throughout training camp and now preseason, countless members of the Thunder organization have praised the 30-year-old’s constant communication and initiative to take players under his wing.

With the regular season fast approaching, OKC remains confident about going to battle.

A unique leader

Winning 57 games a season ago perhaps told many that the Thunder had few weaknesses. While that was true to some degree, it is also true that the team doesn’t have the kind of leadership it has now.

That’s no slight on superstar point guard Shai Gileous-Alexander. His even-keeled nature and poise in crucial moments are highly contagious. But there are some things a 26-year-old can’t do that a former NBA champion can.

Caruso’s experience will help Oklahoma City shine this season. Better yet, it hasn’t taken much time at all for No. 9 to get comfortable as the eldest in the room.

“His stuff is less [about] challenging the other guys and more communicating on the play,” says Mark Daigneault of Caruso’s leadership. “He’s communicating in the possession. It’s kind of a sign of a presence more than anything. If anything, I think it puts pressure on the people he is out there with. I don’t think he’s doing it in a way that is challenging everybody. I think he is doing it in a way that’s trying to help the team. … He’s a very communicative player.”

Right approach

It typically takes time for a new player to gel with his teammates, much less when trying to figure out a leadership style that works. Every player reacts differently to feedback, coaching, and even criticism on the court. However, Alex has supposedly struck an ideal balance between being emphatic in his speech and not rubbing off negatively on his teammates.

It wasn’t long ago that the Texas native was in a similar position. In the season he won an NBA title, AC was the inexperienced player who needed feedback along the way. Watching alpha personalities like LeBron James and Rajon Rondo lead the Los Angeles Lakers, Caruso seemingly picked up some things that he will use to the Thunder’s advantage throughout this season.

Related: Isaiah Hartenstein previews exciting dynamic with Shai-Gilgeous Alexander this season