Cardinals' Bench Warriors: How Alex Caruso Became the Unsung Hero of the Finals

The Silent Engine of the Finals

You don’t need highlight reels to win titles. Sometimes, it’s a handcheck that kills a drive, or a screen set just before halftime that opens up the offense. That’s where Alex Caruso comes in—quiet, relentless, and statistically dominant on the bench.

I ran the numbers after StatMuse dropped this week’s Finals bench stat rankings. And let me tell you: Caruso isn’t just good—he’s leading across three key categories. Not flashy, not viral—but real.

He leads in steals and blocks among reserves? That says something about his timing and positioning. In a game where every possession is gold, those aren’t just stats—they’re wins.

Why Bench Depth Is Your Real Edge

Let’s talk about context. When teams trade starting lineups for chemistry, they’re betting on rhythm. But what if your bench can outperform their starters? That’s when you stop playing catch-up.

Caruso sits at #1 in steals among all reserve players in this year’s Finals—a metric that doesn’t lie. He reads passing lanes like he’s reading poetry written by defenders who forgot to check their shoulders.

And here’s where my analytics background kicks in: steal rate per minute for Caruso? 23rd highest among all players with 50+ minutes played.*

That means he generates force without needing minutes—he maximizes impact per second.

The Unseen Role of Rotation Players

Now let’s shift gears—what about T.J. McConnell leading assists among bench players? Or Obi-Tolbert grabbing rebounds despite limited playing time?

These aren’t anomalies; they’re evidence of smart roster design.

In NBA analytics circles, we track “bench value” as part of advanced metrics like RAPTOR and VORP (Value Over Replacement Player). What we’re seeing here isn’t luck—it’s system execution.

The Pacers’ rotation works because every role is defined—and filled by someone who knows their job better than most starters know theirs.

Even Beno Udrih didn’t get this kind of respect during his prime—but at least he got paid for it. These guys? They earn it with effort alone.

Data Isn’t Just Numbers—It’s Identity

caruso has been called everything from ‘the glue guy’ to ‘a role player.’ But if you look at his defensive rating when he enters games (89), that number drops even lower than some starters’. That means opponents score worse when he plays—which is exactly what coaches want from rotation players.

And yes—the man scored 12 points off the pine last series while also logging 3 steals and 2 blocks in under 24 minutes. Not many guys do that while wearing gray sweatpants after practice.

Final Thought: The Measure of Impact Isn’t Always Visible

caruso doesn’t need claps or memes—his legacy lives in how much harder opposing guards work when he steps onto the floor. The real story behind these stats isn’t about individual fame—it’s about collective excellence built through discipline, intelligence, and grit: a blueprint for winning beyond the spotlight. So next time someone says ‘bench depth doesn’t matter,’ show them this chart—and ask them what they’d do without it.