Jose Alvarado has made himself a fixture in the Knicks rotation in a short amount of time. Thanks to quality defense and good decision-making, Alvarado has already helped New York’s title hopes after he was acquired from the New Orleans Pelicans ahead of the trade deadline.
In 19 games with the Knicks, Alvarado has already proven to be an impact player down the stretch of the season. The cost to acquire the Brooklyn-born guard was minimal. The Knicks only had to send two second-round picks and Dalen Terry to the New Orleans Pelicans to acquire Alvarado.
Listed at just 6-foot, Alvarado has been an essential part of the Knicks’ defense, providing energy and effort. In 319 minutes with the soon-to-be 28-year-old guard on the floor, the Knicks are giving up just 102.8 points per 100 possessions, per NBA Stats, a number that would rank first in the Association.
Alvarado has been effective for the Knicks as a point-of-attack defender and has also excelled as a help defender. But where he makes a significant impact is his ability to be a defensive playmaker. Alvarado is averaging 2.4 steals per 36 minutes.
The stat fits perfectly with Alvarado’s “Grand Theft Alvarado” moniker. His ability to force turnovers has an effect on the offensive end, as it creates transition opportunities and easier looks for a Knicks team that can, at times, be methodical and stuck in the half court.
Most nights, Alvarado is facing a height disadvantage, but he’s been able to hold up mainly because of his smarts on the defensive end. It has allowed Knicks coach Mike Brown to trot out units with Alvarado and Jalen Brunson on the floor together. In 104 minutes together, the Brunson and Alvarado pairing has outscored opponents by 13.5 points per 100 possessions.
It’s a small sample size and not every opponent will make sense for the combination. But it gives the Knicks additional lineup options.
Scoring drought
Alvarado has gotten off to a slow offensive start with the Knicks, averaging 5.9 points in 16.8 minutes. The diminutive guard has struggled from deep, shooting a ghastly 29.2 percent from three on 65 attempts. Outside of a few electric nights, like a 26-point, eight-three-pointer night against the Philadelphia 76ers in February, Alvarado has been quiet.
Before scoring 16 points and hitting four three-pointers in a 136-110 win against the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday night, Alvarado went nine consecutive games without nailing a three.
Alvarado has never been a great shooter, but he’s been able to knock down shots at a passable efficiency. He shot 34.8 percent from downtown in his first four seasons. The point guard should probably rebound from his slow shooting start before the end of the season.
Alvarado is thriving as a caretaker of the ball. He has a 4.3 assist-to-turnover ratio. The guard has also formed some chemistry with Karl-Anthony Towns. The Knicks All-Star center is who Alvarado has passed the ball the most to so far. In 200 minutes on the floor together, Towns is averaging 39.9 points per 100 possessions, according to PBP Stats. When Alvarado is on the bench, that number falls to 30.8 points per 100 possessions.
With the potential return of Miles McBride either during the end of the regular season or during the playoffs, Alvarado isn’t guaranteed substantial postseason minutes. Both he and McBride could potentially play together in specific spots depending on the matchup.
With his defensive impact, ability to set his teammates up and constant energy, Alvarado could swing a playoff game or two for the Knicks. The guard is just what the Knicks needed for this playoff run.
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Ehlers Over 0.5 points