Present in the NBA for a year, following having been undrafted following his four years at Georgia Tech University (13.5 points, 3.6 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 2.1 steals on average), Jose Alvarado is today a key element in the rotation of Pelicansto whom the future seems to belong and to whom it is bound until 2025.
Used as CJ McCollum’s understudy in the lead, he posted an average playing time of 20 minutes, for 8.3 points, 2.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.1 steals per game. Statistics up from his rookie season (6.1 points, 1.9 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.3 steals per game).
Proof that Jose Alvarado was keen not to relax, but rather to confirm (or even better), following having exploded in the eyes of all during the second half of the 2021/22 financial year…
« Many told me that the second year was synonymous with a slow year, a slowdown, for some players and I didn’t want that to be my case. », he says, regarding his nice start to the campaign. ” I wanted people to think, ‘Hey, he’s gotten better, what more can he do now?’. Obviously, my ‘GTAs’ [pour ‘Grand Theft Alvarado’, sa technique spéciale, ndlr] and my defense represent the player that I am, I accept it. But I am also a complete person. I can be an excellent playmaker, a shooter. I think I can do a lot to help this team on the pitch. »
Willie Green trusts him blindly
At 24, Jose Alvarado is no longer a surprise, but a real good NBA leader, incidentally rather clean (48% in shots, 36% at 3-pts and 75% in throws, with 1.4 ball loss). Small in size (1m83 for 81kg), this does not prevent him from already seeing big, on an individual basis…
« Some people think I’m crazy and some people think I’m not “, he confides first, aware of the height of his expectations. “ I want to participate in the Rising Stars Challenge. I want to be in the discussion for an All-Defensive Team. I want to be one of the best point guards in the league. Even if it doesn’t happen this season, I want people to know that I’m one of those guys they can put in that category. I have these goals in my sights and I will always pursue them. It’s part of what fuels me. »
Energetic, combative and tenacious, Jose Alvarado belongs to this category of players that it is better to mix with than to face. In the same vein as a JJ Barea, another pocket guard from Puerto Rico.
Above all, beyond being one of the most loyal and valiant soldiers of Willie Green, the Brooklyn native improves his team (almost) as soon as he plays. Evidenced by the fact that the Pelicans dominate their opponents by 12 points (out of 100 possessions), when he is on the floor. Almost as much as Brandon Ingram.
An observation which has also prompted the New Orleans coach to modify his rotations, in order to maximize the presence of Jose Alvarado in hot moments, and in particular in the fourth quarter…
« We thought having Jose [Alvarado] on the pitch a bit later in games would give us more life, energy, and it’s working really well so far », Underlines Willie Green, regarding this adjustment. ” He’s a really smart player and he knows how to make the players around him better. He is exceptional this season. »
The new protege of… Tony Parker!
If Jose Alvarado seduces his coach, teammates and NOLA fans so much (even his opponents), it is perhaps also thanks to the contribution of Tony Parker. This summer, the French indeed played the personal trainers of the Pelicans player and this experience has apparently created a new shock in the head of the main interested party.
« He’s one of the best point guards in history, so hearing him talk to me and knowing that we see the game in a very similar way made me a lot more comfortable. “, admits the Puerto Rican. “ Like, ‘OK, you think regarding the game the way a great point guard does, so trust yourself. It meant a lot, because I knew it deep down, but this experience really made me feel like I had to be in this position. »
Another important element in the eyes of Jose Alvarado, very good in his sneakers for several months: the fact that the city of New Orleans shows him so much love.
« Arriving in New Orleans really changed my life. “, he recognizes as well. “ The way the city has welcomed me only pushes me to give my all even more. I never want to lose the fun and hunger I play with because that’s who I am and I know people have my back here because they know I’m still me no matter what. I can identify with this city, [ses habitants] always fighting once morest something and I’m like that too. »
The perfect complement to the Brandon Ingram – Zion Williamson – CJ McCollum trio, the very confident Jose Alvarado has flourished since his arrival with the Pelicans and he is no stranger to the good start of his team, currently 3rd in the Western Conference (11 wins and 7 losses).
| Jose Alvarado | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saison | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | LF | Off | Def | Until | Pd | Fte | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2021-22 | NOP | 54 | 15 | 44.6 | 29.1 | 67.9 | 0.5 | 1.4 | 1.9 | 2.8 | 1.4 | 1.3 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 6.1 |
| 2022-23 | NOP | 18 | 20 | 48.0 | 36.5 | 75.0 | 0.4 | 1.9 | 2.3 | 3.3 | 2.2 | 1.1 | 1.4 | 0.2 | 8.3 |
| Total | 72 | 17 | 45.6 | 31.8 | 69.2 | 0.5 | 1.5 | 2.0 | 2.9 | 1.6 | 1.3 | 0.9 | 0.2 | 6.7 | |