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AP, Oklahoma City After Game 4 of the NBA Finals, Alex Caruso was asked if he knew that throughout this playoff run, he had become something of a superhero to Oklahoma City Thunder fans. Having two — and counting — NBA Finals games against the Indiana Pacers after having zero 20-point performances during the regular season tends to affect people. Caruso stated, “We’ll just do Robin for the superhero reference because that’s the only one I can probably make some similarities to.” “There are more accomplished players around me.” He is perfectly content with the fact that that is a part of the Caruso story. Alongside a Batman in LeBron James, he was a member of the Los Angeles Lakers team that won a championship in the 2020 pandemic “bubble.” Along with another Batman, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the current Kia MVP and scoring champion who put on his cape and led OKC to victory in the final moments of Game 4, he has also helped this Thunder squad get within two wins of winning his second title. AD It’s no accident that the Thunder have won those games in this series; he scored 20 points against the Pacers in Game 2 and again in a victory that likely saved the season in Game 4. Additionally, his performance in Game 4 was remarkable; no player in the history of the Finals had ever finished a game during the title series with 20 points and five steals off the bench. That is, until he did just that on Friday. “He’s obviously a fierce competitor,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault remarked. He has often demonstrated that during his career. In these playoffs, of course. I have nothing but praise for him as a competitor. The Thunder’s oldest player is 31-year-old Caruso. He is the team’s wise sage, the seasoned veteran with a ring, and the one you turn to for guidance on almost any subject, as his teammates readily point out. According to forward Cason Wallace, “He coaches the game, plays the game, and thinks the game all at the same time.” “He always stays one or two steps ahead.” AD The classic tale of defying expectations is Caruso’s. Several coaches still regret allowing a four-star high school recruit to go undrafted by an NBA franchise. One of such is Rick Carlisle. Carlisle, who is currently the coach of Indiana, was with Dallas when Caruso, a Texas A&M graduate, was brought in for a tryout by the Mavericks. He wasn’t even given a summer league contract offer. Whoops. Carlisle stated, “Some of these guys who don’t get much attention have that kind of grit and determination that can get them to the league and give them some longevity and high impact.” Caruso is still referred to by James as “one of my favorite teammates of all time.” For obvious reasons, the Thunder feel the same way about him. It is not necessary for Caruso to be Batman. He doesn’t mind becoming a Robin. “It just comes down to being extremely competitive and wanting to win,” Caruso stated. My career is the way it is because of this. I have succeeded because of this. I’m still in the NBA because of this. I’m here speaking to you now for that reason.