The Old Man and the Three Isaiah Hartenstein & Alex Caruso on SGA, the Secret to Making It In the NBA, and the Thunder’s Season
Mar 6, 2026
Alex Caruso, a defense-first, team-oriented NBA guard, and Isaiah Hartenstein, a pass-first big who rose through Europe and the G League, chat about OKC’s culture and dealing with injuries. They talk role flexibility, how screening and passing evolve, developing through the G League, influences from stars like Jokic and Harden, and why certain newcomers fit the team.
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Prioritize Daily Recovery To Survive An Injury-Plagued Season
- Take care of your body and rest consistently to withstand season-long injuries and role changes.
- Isaiah Hartenstein emphasizes daily recovery, sleep and mental adjustment when ball-handlers are out and lineups shift.
Depth Lets Thunder Flip Missing Pieces Into NewGo-To Players
- Depth creates opportunity: OKC's injuries let different players step up each night instead of relying on one star.
- Alex Caruso and Isaiah point to Kessler, Ijo and AJ getting extended chances and flourishing in varied roles.
ProcessDriven Leadership Creates Unselfish Team Culture
- Team culture starts top-down: Sam Presti and Mark Daigneault's process-driven approach creates unity and removes hidden agendas.
- Alex and Isaiah point to same-expectation treatment and players tucking shirts as signs of that culture.