The Chicago Bulls are flying high this season, sitting second in the East with a 15-8 record. While DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, and Lonzo Ball are the main catalysts for their early success, Alex Caruso has been just as important.

The former Lakers guard brings unmatched energy on both ends of the floor and even leads the NBA in steals with 2.3 per game. DeRozan also knows just how crucial Caruso is to how the Bulls operate. Via The Athletic's Darnell Mayberry:

“He’s a dog, man,” DeRozan said. “It’s times we look at the stat sheet after the game and it’s like four or five steals. Just the energy that he brings defensively triggers us because we try to live up to the standards that Alex is going to bring out there on the court. And it’s big. It’s exciting to see. It’s incredible the things that he does defensively.”

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A dog, he is. Caruso is an absolute grinder on the floor and puts 110% out every single night for the Bulls. He's shown the ability to lock down the best of the best defensively as well. On the offensive end, he's averaging just 8.6 points, but the 27-year-old is also dishing out 4.3 assists and collecting 3.9 rebounds.

There's no doubt the Big 3 on this Bulls team is crucial. But without a player like Caruso, Chicago simply isn't winning 15 games so far. Whether he's drawing fouls, pickpocketing opponents, or making life extremely difficult on other stars, he has truly found a home in the Windy City.

DeRozan and the Bulls couldn't be any happier to have Caruso on their side.