That is, when Caruso won his ring with the Los Angeles Lakers back in 2020, there were no fans, no parades, no big celebrations — only the sheer joy of getting the Larry O’Brien trophy in a year that threatened to not even have an NBA champion at all.
Because of the pandemic, Caruso’s experience with the championship had far less fanfare.
But now with an impending finals stint with the OKC Thunder, Caruso has a chance to run it back bigger and better than before.
The Thunder will be getting home court advantage for the whole of the NBA Finals. And after missing out on the electricity of an NBA finals with crowds, Caruso is eager to enjoy the full experience of the finals.
“We don’t have time to talk about how 2020 affected me individually, and probably a lot of people. You know, it was a crazy year. You know, finals in the bubble still had the tangible feel about the finals. Like, you know what was up for grabs. That competitiveness, that adrenaline before the game.” Caruso told media in a media availability over the weekend.
“Obviously, you know, I don’t think it would probably be the same adrenaline level that you would feel with fans, just being on the other side of it now. But, understanding what’s at stake is still, very apparent, and yeah, there’s parts of winning a championship that I didn’t get to experience through that first championship.”
Among those that Caruso also missed out on was ample time to rest after the championship.
Because of the delays during the pandemic, the Lakers’ glory was short lived, with the next season starting not long after their bubble win at Disney World in Orlando.
With things now recentered and with a new team, Caruso hopes to replicate success and take it all in.
“So, there’s a little bit of enjoying the success that I didn’t get necessarily participated but you know, I get another chance to get it done and try again with fans, and the parade and all that.” he said.
Still, Caruso’s dreams of a championship remain far at the moment with their best-of-seven series against the Indiana Pacers yet to tip off.
OKC tussles with Tyrese Haliburton and company beginning on Thursday, June 5 (Friday, June 6, Manila time).
