Alex Caruso Shuts Down Bubble Title Haters After Celtics Win: ‘Now I Got a Real One, No One Can Say Anything!’

Alex Caruso has always been known for his gritty defense, high basketball IQ, and team-first mentality, but for years, his place in NBA championship history has been debated—at least by some critics. After helping the Los Angeles Lakers win the 2020 NBA title in the Orlando Bubble, Caruso heard all the same tired arguments that the pandemic-altered season somehow invalidated the Lakers’ triumph.

But now? The jokes and the debates may finally be put to rest. Caruso is a champion once again, this time with the Boston Celtics, and he wasted no time playfully silencing the doubters who have spent the last four years questioning the legitimacy of his first ring.

During the Celtics’ raucous locker room celebrations, Caruso couldn’t resist taking a jab at the “Bubble championship is fake” crowd. With a champagne bottle in hand and a grin across his face, the fan-favorite guard declared, “Now I got a real one! Now no one can say anything!”

The viral moment set social media ablaze and reignited the conversation: Is Caruso a one-time NBA champion or does the Bubble ring still count, making him a two-time champ? Let’s dive into the debate and the journey that brought Caruso to this defining moment.

First, some context. The 2020 NBA season was one of the most unprecedented campaigns in league history. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the season was suspended in March and resumed months later in a controlled environment inside Disney World’s ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. With no fans in the stands, strict health protocols, and players isolated from the outside world, the Bubble was unlike anything basketball had ever seen.

Despite those unusual conditions, the games were intensely competitive, and many players, coaches, and analysts have gone on record saying that winning in the Bubble was, in some ways, even more mentally taxing than a normal season. Yet, the asterisk claims have persisted, especially from rival fanbases unwilling to fully acknowledge the Lakers’ championship run, which culminated in a six-game Finals victory over the Miami Heat.

Caruso played a key role on that Lakers squad, providing perimeter defense, hustle plays, and timely scoring off the bench. While not the star of the team—those honors went to LeBron James and Anthony Davis—Caruso earned the respect of teammates, coaches, and fans alike with his selfless approach and unrelenting effort.

Still, detractors were quick to diminish that title, arguing that the lack of travel, absence of opposing fans, and unique circumstances somehow lessened the accomplishment. Even years later, the “Bubble doesn’t count” narrative refuses to completely disappear.

Enter 2025, and a new chapter in Caruso’s career. Traded to the Celtics in the offseason, Caruso embraced his role as a defensive specialist and veteran leader for a loaded Boston roster headlined by Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Kristaps Porziņģis. The Celtics stormed through the regular season, dominated the Eastern Conference playoffs, and captured their record 18th NBA title by defeating the Dallas Mavericks in five games.

For Caruso, the victory wasn’t just another ring—it was vindication. The former undrafted guard, often underestimated throughout his career, now holds two NBA championship rings, whether critics want to count them both or not.

So, is Alex Caruso a one-time champion or a two-time champion? The answer depends on who you ask, but officially, the NBA recognizes both titles equally. The 2020 Bubble championship is etched in the league’s record books, banner raised, rings distributed, and Caruso’s name forever associated with that Lakers squad. No amount of online arguments or barbershop debates can erase the historical facts.

However, Caruso himself clearly understands the perception some still hold regarding his first title, which is why his celebration with the Celtics carried extra meaning. His playful jab wasn’t just about personal pride; it was a statement for all players whose accomplishments in the Bubble have been questioned.

“Look, a championship is a championship,” Caruso told reporters after the Finals. “The Bubble was tough—mentally, physically, emotionally. You had to stay locked in for months, away from your family, in that environment. But I get it, people always want to debate things. That’s what fans do. That’s part of the fun of sports.”

He added, “At the end of the day, I know I worked for both of them. This one? It just feels good because nobody can put an asterisk next to it, right? So, yeah, now I got a real one. Now no one can say anything!”

Caruso’s Celtics teammates wasted no time hyping him up in the aftermath of the win. Jayson Tatum referred to him as “the glue guy we needed,” while Jaylen Brown praised his championship pedigree and ability to rise to the occasion on the game’s biggest stage.

“He’s a winner, plain and simple,” Brown said. “Bubble, no Bubble, whatever—when you’re out there with AC, you know he’s giving you everything he has. You can’t fake that.”

It’s also worth noting that Caruso’s contributions in the 2025 Finals went beyond just intangible leadership. Throughout the series, he delivered crucial defensive stops, timely steals, and smart decision-making, often matching up against Dallas star Luka Dončić in high-pressure moments.

His stat line may not jump off the page, but anyone who watched the games saw the impact. Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla called Caruso’s defensive presence “essential” to Boston’s championship formula.

Off the court, Caruso’s lighthearted nature and sense of humor have made him a beloved figure among NBA fans. From memes celebrating his hustle to jokes about his receding hairline, Caruso has leaned into the fun and remained grounded, never letting the noise—positive or negative—define him.

“People have doubted me my whole career,” Caruso reflected during the Celtics’ parade in Boston. “Coming out of college, going undrafted, people said I wouldn’t make it. Even after the Lakers ring, people tried to discredit it. But I just keep working, keep showing up, keep doing my job. And now, look where I’m at.”

So, is Alex Caruso a 1x NBA champion or a 2x NBA champion? The NBA says two. The record books say two. And as far as Caruso is concerned, he’s got nothing left to prove—championship parades in two different cities and rings to show for both.

The debate over the Bubble may rage on in online forums and group chats, but for Caruso and those who know the grind of the NBA, the answer is simple. He’s a two-time NBA champion. One ring from the Bubble. One ring from Boston. Both earned. Both real.

And now, as Caruso himself so perfectly put it, no one can say anything.