Age: 24
NBA experience: One season (one with Pelicans)
Games played/games started: 54/1
Key stats: 6.1 ppg, 2.8 apg, 1.3 spg
Jose Alvarado 2021-22 Pelicans Season Overview
Over a four-month span, Jose Alvarado went from seldom-used underdog with an undrafted pedigree to a vital member of New Orleans’ playoff rotation. He became a player described by two of his most accomplished Pelicans teammates as “fearless” and “unbelievable.” His team’s top basketball executive likened Alvarado to a “gladiator” on the hardwood.
When Alvarado initially went unselected during the 2021 NBA Draft, then signed a two-way contract with New Orleans, not even the 6-foot guard himself could’ve reasonably predicted that by April, he’d be lining up against future Hall of Famer Chris Paul in a heated playoff game. Yet that’s exactly where the Georgia Tech product was this spring vs. Phoenix. Alvarado didn’t crack Willie Green’s rotation until January, but during the first-round series against the Suns, he logged the third-most fourth-quarter minutes on the roster (58).
“It was intense,” grinning Pelicans center Jonas Valanciunas described of Alvarado’s scrappy six-game duel with Paul. “That’s what he does. That’s unbelievable to have this guy on your team. He doesn’t back down from any matchup. He’s not afraid of anything. He’s there to fight. That’s the best (trait) to have in you.”
“I thought he changed the game,” guard CJ McCollum said of Alvarado’s impact in the postseason. “He was aggressive, fearless, showed that New York (City) mentality.”
Indeed, Alvarado’s relentlessness and attitude made him a hugely popular New Orleans fan favorite. The rookie only played in eight of New Orleans’ first 35 regular season games, but then appeared in 55 of the final 56, including eight postseason contests. His No. 15 jersey started showing up in the Smoothie King Center stands, as did “Jose!” chants from 17,000-plus spectators during the playoffs.
“You watch Jose Alvarado – he looks like a gladiator,” Pelicans Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations David Griffin said. “He’s playing to the crowd in a way that the crowd is literally living off his energy and vice versa.”
Following the team’s season-ending April 28 defeat to the Suns, McCollum perhaps best summed up why Alvarado became a beloved figure in the Crescent City – as well as how the first-year pro was able to surpass all expectations in 2021-22.
“What’s the saying? Heart over height,” McCollum said. “It doesn’t really matter how tall you are. It matters how smart you are, how hungry you are and how hard you play.
“He works every day, whether he’s playing or not. He’s a good teammate. He wants to compete. He’s done that consistently his entire life and that’s why he’s here, undrafted, signing a contract (extension), getting playoff minutes, getting tough assignments, having to guard a Hall of Famer in Chris Paul. Being fearless offensively, taking shots, making shots. That’s why he’s been successful and why he’ll continue to be successful.”
Highlights: Jose Alvarado 2021-22 Pelicans Season Recap
Jose Alvarado By the Numbers
+143: Alvarado plus-minus over his 54 regular season games. He led all rookies in the category. Runner-up in the statistic was Ziaire Williams of Memphis, who played for a team that won 56 games. Williams finished at plus-122.
39.4: Steals percentage for Alvarado, which led the league among all players who appeared in at least 50 games, according to NBA.com. The rest of the top five included Delon Wright (38.1), Matisse Thybulle (36.4), Dejounte Murray (35.1) and Thaddeus Young (34.6).
3.80: Alvarado assist-to-turnover ratio, ranking him eighth in the league among all players who appeared in at least 50 games. Ahead of him on the list were Tyus Jones, Tre Jones, Jordan McLaughlin, Chris Paul, Monte Morris, Delon Wright and Tomas Satoransky.
Jose Alvarado’s Three Most Notable Games
No. 1: Jan. 20, New Orleans 102, New York 91
Alvarado’s postgame TV interview with Jen Hale went viral, with the guard explaining why he was so appreciative to be back in his hometown and deliver a 13-point, four-assist, four-steal performance. He shot 6/9 from the field. It was his first double-digit scoring night as a pro.
No. 2: March 20, New Orleans 117, Atlanta 112
In his return to the city where he played college ball, Alvarado helped the Pelicans post one of their more impressive and important road wins. He checked off numerous boxes, finishing with 15 points, four rebounds, four assists and three steals against the Hawks.
No. 3: March 13, New Orleans 130, Houston 105
It’s not often you see a guard come off the bench and register 16 points, 10 assists and six steals, but that was part of Alvarado’s stat line as he tormented the Rockets (including a patented “sneaky steal” of Kevin Porter Jr.). The 16 and 10 marked his first NBA double-double.
From the 12
Each player review features a poll or question directed to the New Orleans fan base. For Alvarado, a poll was conducted asking: When did you know Jose Alvarado was an undrafted steal (pun intended) for New Orleans? The winner of balloting was his return to New York City and Madison Square Garden in January, garnering two-thirds of votes. Runner-up was his performance in 2021 summer league (14 percent). On Twitter, @jmood88 voted for summer league, harkening back to a tweet he sent last Aug. 13 that noted: “I like Alvarado.”