THE FLATS – Thaddeus Young extols veteran presence and depth on Raptors team … Jose Alvarado reflects on last season, the summer and looks ahead to his second season with the Pelicans … more in this week’s #ProJackets Report.
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YOUNG: “SUPER DEEP” RAPTORS ALLOW VETERANS TO THRIVE
Ahead of his second season as a Raptor, Thaddeus Young describes Toronto’s roster as ‘super deep’, allowing veteran players like himself to thrive in reduced-minutes roles.
THADDEUS YOUNG: “You know, I think now, I’m coming into training camp and coming into this season with a fresh mind– mentally prepared and focused. Last year when I got here, like, I was kind of, like– you know, I was fine, but, you know, that’s because I’m a tough individual– but mentally burnt out, just for the simple fact of I didn’t play the first half of the season. And I spent a lot of time conditioning myself and burning myself out to try to be ready for the second half of the season. And then I think when I got here, I wasn’t able to really play to my full potential and my full reach.
So now, I get a fresh mind, fresh start to come to training camp to really figure everything out in the beginning. And also, like, I had some time last year to kind of play with the guys, so I have a great feel for who plays what, how they kind of play, and what they kind of do. So I’m very happy to be back with this team. That was one of the big determining factors– just coming back to a situation that I was familiar with.”
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ALVARADO AT PELICANS’ MEDIA DAY
New Orleans Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado speaks to the media following day two of Training Camp on Wednesday, September 28, 2022 at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center.
This clip of Jose Alvarado and his daughter 🥹#NBAMediaDay pic.twitter.com/oO33Y0SVIe
— NBA (@NBA) September 26, 2022
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ALVARADO ONE-ON-ONE WITH WDSU-TV IN NEW ORLEANS
New Orleans Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado was a spark plug for the team in his rookie season, helping them make a push to the playoffs.
Alvarado is looking to make a bigger impact in his second season with the Pelicans, hoping to make a deeper push into the playoffs.
WDSU sports anchor Sharief Ishaq went one-on-one with Alvarado in the video above to discuss his role this season, Zion Williamson, the core players, the fan base and the city of New Orleans.
“My favorite NBA memory so far would have to be during the playoffs when the entire stadium was chanting my name in front of my family, I’ll probably remember that the rest of my life”
-Jose Alvarado on his favorite memory from last season pic.twitter.com/lKYDKOOeYU
— The Jordy Culotta Show (@CulottaShow) September 26, 2022
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SUNS SET TO UNLEASH DYNAMIC DEFENSIVE DUO
The Phoenix Suns may have been ranked second and third in defensive rating across the last two seasons, but they appear set for a boost on that end thanks to free agent signing Josh Okogie.
Mikal Bridges and Okogie could provide the Phoenix Suns with the most dynamic and devastating defensive wing duo in the NBA.
Okogie is relishing the opportunity to play at a franchise where defense is prioritized; his first three seasons in Minnesota saw them rank 21st, 28th and 25th in defensive rating, before making a jump to 13th last season.
In his rookie season back in 2018-19, the best of his career to date, Okogie was second at the Timberwolves for defensive win shares, demonstrating his capacity on that end from early on in the league.
#ProJackets on Social Media
Second day in a row Josh Okogie’s been the last guy on the floor. Worked on 3s yesterday, today it’s free throws pic.twitter.com/8cyEXNUs9w
— Gerald Bourguet (@GeraldBourguet) September 28, 2022
Jose’s World❤️ pic.twitter.com/U9HYQxHx8T
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) September 27, 2022
In celebration of #HispanicHeritageMonth, we’re highlighting a series of @Octagon clients and their accomplishments.
Today’s feature: @OctagonBsktball client and @PelicansNBA point guard @AlvaradoJose15. pic.twitter.com/SkywmVNjCT
— Octagon (@Octagon) September 23, 2022
TJ is at a @madehoops camp and guess who is giving another speech? @yungsmoove21 pic.twitter.com/Q1Ny7DJQrG
— Shekinah Young (@Mrs___Young21) September 17, 2022
GT is in the building! #LeaveIt Old & New! 💪🏿 pic.twitter.com/ZME1FUdWAR
— Dennis 3D Scott (@Dennis3DScott) September 26, 2022
We Back! Media Day! Warriors. #LeaveIt 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/ZcpvWKIj4Q
— Dennis 3D Scott (@Dennis3DScott) September 25, 2022
#PROJACKETS IN THE NBA/G LEAGUE IN 2023-24
| PLAYER | DATA | NUMBERS | TEAM |
|---|---|---|---|
 | JOSE ALVARADO Team: New Orleans Pelicans Number: 15 NBA Experience: 3rd year Years at Georgia Tech: 2017-21 Hometown: Brooklyn, N.Y. Status: Active | 6-0, 179 lbs 2023-24 Stats 7.1 ppg 2.3 rpg 2.1 apg 41.2% FG | Record: 49-33 Standing: 7th place, -8.0 GB Streak: L1 Last 10: 5-5 |
 | JAMES BANKS III Team: Maine Celtics Number: 5 G League Experience: 3rd year Years at Georgia Tech: 2018-20 Hometown: Atlanta, Ga. Status: Active | 6-10, 250 lbs 2023-24 Stats 5.3 ppg 4.7 rpg 1.5 bpg 54.2% FG | Record: 21-13 Standing: 2nd place, -1.0 GB Streak: W1 Last 10: 8-2 |
 | MICHAEL DEVOE Team: Memphis Hustle Number: 10 G League Experience: 2nd year Years at Georgia Tech: 2017-21 Hometown: Orlando, Fla. Status: Active | 6-4, 183 lbs 2023-24 Stats 13.9 ppg 3.9 rpg 3.1 apg 47.4% FG | Record: 15-19 Standing: 12th, -9.0 GB Streak: W1 Last 10: 3-7 |
 | DERRICK FAVORS Team: Windy City Bulls (G League) Number: 14 NBA Experience: 12 seasons Years at Georgia Tech: 2009-10 Hometown: Atlanta, Ga. Status: Active | 6-9, 265 lbs 2023-24 Stats 6.2 ppg 4.7 rpg 0.7 bpg 66.7% FG | Record: 15-19 Standing: 13th place, -7.0 GB Streak: L1 Last 10: 4-6 |
 | JOSH OKOGIE Team: Phoenix Suns Number: 2 NBA Experience: 5 seasons Years at Georgia Tech: 2016-18 Hometown: Snellville, Ga. Status: Active | 6-4, 213 lbs 2023-24 Stats 4.6 ppg 2.6 rpg 1.1 apg 41.7% FG | Record: 49-33 Standing: 6th place, -8.0 GB Streak: W3 Last 10: 7-3 |
 | THADDEUS YOUNG Team: free agent Number: 30 NBA Experience: 16 seasons Years at Georgia Tech: 2006-07 Hometown: Memphis, Tenn. Status: Active | 6-8, 235 lbs 2023-24 Stats 4.2 ppg 3.0 rpg 1.7 apg 60.2% FG | Record: 49-33 Standing: 6th place, -8.0 GB Streak: W3 Last 10: 7-3 |
