It may seem like Lakers guard Alex Caruso has it all - a blossoming NBA career coming off an NBA championship, fan adoration, his own merchandise and more. But it wasn't always like this, and the path to where he is now came with a healthy dose of obstacles and doubters along the way. That, in itself, makes him a perfect guest for The Long Shot. And in this honest and humbling interview, Alex opens up about his journey and the roadblocks that stood before him, staying grounded amongst the fan craziness, the mental challenges that the game poses, and much more.  RUNDOWN  • Reliving the 2016 workouts where Duncan and Alex met for the first time  • What was his mental state during those pre-draft workouts  • Was that summer of 2016 a turning point for him in taking his game to another level • Did that experience help him when entering the G-League • On the uniqueness of the G-League - tons of talent but no one wants to be there • The mental challenge of the two-way grind between the G-League and the NBA • On his immense basketball growth between 2016 and 2018 • On being targeted defensively upon his arrival and how that narrative has changed • How that situation actually played to his advantage and how he attacks on defense • How you can play perfect defense and still be scored on • Has the attention he receives become a normal part of life or is it still surprising • On staying grounded with long time friends • Discusses the awkward elevator ride that Duncan and Alex shared during the finals • How the game slows down with more experience and how the finals sped up that process • Discusses some of the most impactful moments from his journey so far Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices