Caruso's remarks about "true champions" after winning the NBA championship with the Thunder sparked intense discussions.

On June 23, NBA Thunder's backup guard Alex Caruso led his team to victory over the Pacers, securing the championship. Having previously won a title with the Lakers, his comments on "true champions" after the game generated considerable debate. Following the excitement, he also took to social media to clarify his statements.

NBA Thunder's backup guard Caruso

Caruso won the "bubble championship" with the Lakers in his rookie season in 2020. In 2021, he signed a four-year, $37 million contract to join the Bulls. In 2024, the Thunder acquired Caruso by trading guard Josh Giddey. This postseason, Caruso has been impressive, averaging 9.2 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 2.3 assists in 22 games, with an impressive 1.9 steals per game over an average of 24.1 minutes played.

After the championship game, Caruso was asked about his feelings on winning his second NBA title. He jokingly replied, "Now that I've got the real championship, no one can say anything anymore." This statement was perceived as a rebuttal to those claiming that the Lakers' championship was merely a "bubble championship" and not a legitimate title, which offended some fans. Subsequently, Caruso clarified on his social media: "I had already drunk three bottles of beer; this was just a joke!!"