THE FLATS – Jose Alvarado has carved out a successful NBA career based on relentlessness … Is Alvarado’s offense underrated? … more in this week’s #ProJackets Report.
ALVARADO HAS CARVED OUT SUCCESSFUL NBA CAREER ON RELENTLESSNESS
While listening to 6-foot point guard Jose Alvarado describe his approach to basketball, it’s easy to recognize why he’s one of the NBA’s most relatable players – and exceptionally popular in New Orleans. It’s easy to understand why when he’s on the floor, the fourth-year pro is always a tightly-wound bundle of energy. He’s seemingly everywhere on the hardwood at once, much to the chagrin of opposing ballhandlers who let their concentration slip for even a split-second.
“That’s the only way I’m going to stay here,” Alvarado explained of how relentlessness is mandatory for him to remain employed in the NBA. “But it’s also just who I am. I’m not the type of guy that can just play ‘cool’ or think that only my skills will make a difference. I don’t stick out like that (as a player). I think this is how I got here, and it’s how I will stay. (I have to) be who I am – gritty, go out there with energy. That’s who I am.”
“What I respect most about Jose’s game is he fears no man,” new teammate and fellow Pelicans point guard Dejounte Murray said. “Heart over height for a guy like him. Obviously he wasn’t blessed to be 6-foot-5, 6-7 or whatever, but he has the heart of a lion. I appreciate the way Jose approaches the game and how he plays the game. He doesn’t take anything for granted.”
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THE MISUNDERSTOOD BRILLIANCE OF JOSE ALVARADO
Ask an NBA fan about Jose Alvarado, and chances are the first thing they bring up is his defense.
And for good reason. The Puerto Rican guard who’s generously listed at 6-feet tall has made a name for himself in the basketball world over the past half decade as one of the sports’ preeminent pests. He was named the 2021 ACC Defensive Player of the Year while playing at Georgia Tech, and he burst onto the NBA scene in 2022 with a trademark defensive move that has likewise become his official nickname — Grand Theft Alvarado.
Only T.J. McConnell and his backcourt inbounds pass steals rival Alvarado in the pure annoyance he causes the opponent.
New Orleans rightfully rewarded Alvarado with a new contract before the 2024-25 season started, inking the former undrafted free agent to a two-year, $9 million extension. A meager deal by the lofty standards of the NBA, but life-changing money all the same.
But what if I told you that the offensive value Alvarado brings to the Pelicans is severely underrated, while the good he brings on defense is probably a tad overhyped?
The misunderstood brilliance of Jose Alvarado https://t.co/sFOzoUWZNj
— SB Nation NBA (@SBNationNBA) October 18, 2024
#PROJACKETS ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Out of NOWHERE 🫢
Nobody is safe when Moses Wright is on the court ⛔️🚫 @Olympiacos_BC #FlightTime I @TurkishAirlines pic.twitter.com/YZZ2civcrm
— Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) October 15, 2024
Only love between @gianlary5 and Moses Wright ❤️
You can see their mini argument 👉🏾#basketballmaniacs #basketball #olympiacosbc #paobc #paobcgr #greece pic.twitter.com/5MdLrvDDiS
— Basketballmaniacs_ (@bballmaniacs_) October 21, 2024
🔁 @hollywood_XI para Ben Lammers
¡La COOOOOMBI COMPLETA en un primer cuarto en el que @morabancandorra se está luciendo!
📺 @MovistarPlus | #ConectaConTuPasión#LigaEndesa pic.twitter.com/lHEKjd7HYu
— Liga Endesa (@ACBCOM) October 12, 2024
I see the @nyknicks open against the champions @celtics my New Yorkers i love ya’ll 😆 🤣 pic.twitter.com/xhziA3xITJ
— Kenny Anderson (@chibbs_1) October 21, 2024
EuroBasket Pro Yellow Jackets Weekly Update
Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC
Marcus Georges-Hunt (6’5”-F-1994, played in 2012-16, plays pro in China) was the major contributor in a Sichuan Blue Whales’ victory against the closely-ranked Golden Bulls (2-4) 122-107 in the Chinese CBA in Thursday night’s game. He recorded 34 points (!!!), 8 assists and 3 steals (made all of his seven free throws) in 38 minutes. Sichuan Blue Whales (1-5) are placed 17th in the CBA. It was his team’s first victory after five consecutive loses. But this is still an early stage of the season and everything may happen. Georges-Hunt has individually a very good year with high stats. He averages 15.8ppg, 3.5rpg, 2.3apg and 1.3spg in six games he played so far. Georges-Hunt is a naturalized Virgin Islander.
Jordan Usher (6’7”-SF-1998, played in 2019-22, plays in France) could not help JL Bourg en Bresse (5-0) in their last game on Saturday. Despite Usher’s good performance the league leader JL Bourg en Bresse was edged91-88 on the road by the lower-ranked JDA Dijon (#3). He was the second best scorer with 12 points. But the season just started, so everything may happen. This year Usher averages 9.8ppg, 2.8rpg and 1.8apg.
Moses Wright (6’10”-C-1998, played in 2017-21, currently in Greece) contributed to an easy victory against one of league’s weakest teams Karditsas (0-3) 77-61 in the Greek GBL on Monday night. Wright scored 6 points and grabbed 6 rebounds in only 12 minutes. Olympiacos S.F.P. Piraeus (3-0) is placed first in the GBL. So far his team won all three games in the Regular Season. But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen. Wright has relatively good stats this year 13.0ppg and 5.7rpg in three games.
Ben Lammers (6’10”-C-1995, played in 2014-18, plays pro in Spain) was not able to help MoraBanc Andorra in their game against Valencia (3-1) in the Spanish Liga Endesa. Lammers recorded 9 points, 10 rebounds and 2 blocks. But MoraBanc Andorra was edged89-88 on the opponent’s court by the higher-ranked Valencia (#4). But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen. It’s Lammers’ first year with the team. This season he averages 8.3ppg, 7.5rpg, 1.3apg and 1.3bpg.
Khalid Moore (6’7”-F-2000, played in 2018-22, plays in France) managed to help Saint-Quentin Basket-Ball in a victory against the 14th-ranked La Rochelle (1-4) crushing them 94-57 in the French Betclic ELITE ProA last Saturday. He scored only 4 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in 23 minutes. Saint-Quentin Basket-Ball (4-1) is placed third in the Betclic ELITE ProA. But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen. This year Moore averages 5.4ppg, 6.6rpg and 1.2apg in five games.
Abdoulaye Gueye (6’9”-C-1994, played in 2014-15, currently in Turkey), who plays in the Turkish TBL (second division) was not able to secure a victory for one of league’s weakest teams TED Ankara (3-4) in their last game on Monday. Despite Gueye’s very good performance TED Ankara was edged88-87 at home by the higher-ranked Kapakli Spor (#12). He was the top scorer with 15 points. Gueye also added 9 rebounds (made all of his nine free throws !!!). This season Gueye has very high stats. He averages 15.9ppg, 8.9rpg, 2.9apg, 1.4bpg and 1.9spg.
Joshua Heath (6’1”-PG-1994, played in 2014-17, plays pro in Belgium) led his Belgian team Kangoeroes Basket Mechelen to a victory against the closely-ranked Spirou Charleroi 77-72 in the BNXT League in Sunday night’s game. Heath recorded 15 points and added 6 assists in 32 minutes. This year Heath averages 9.4ppg, 1.4rpg and 3.8apg in five games.
Michael Devoe (6’5”-G-1999, played in 2018-22, plays in Germany) contributed to a SYNTAINICS MBC Weissenfels’ surprising victory against the fourth-ranked Bayern Muenchen 79-75 in the German BBL last Saturday. Devoe scored 10 points, grabbed 4 rebounds and dished 5 assists. Devoe has relatively good stats this season 12.0ppg, 3.0rpg and 3.2apg.
Avi Schafer (6’9”-C-1998, played in 2017-19, currently in Japan) helped SeaHorses Mikawa win their game against the third-ranked Osaka Evessa 87-70 in the Japanese B1 League on Saturday night. Schafer scored 7 points in 19 minutes. This year Schafer averages 2.4ppg and 1.9rpg in seven games. He is a naturalized Japanese.
Jose Alvarado (6’0”-PG-1998, played in 2017-16, plays pro in the NBA) helped New Orleans Pelicans win their game against the Chicago Bulls 123-111 in the NBA in Wednesday night’s game. He scored only 3 points and added 3 passes. It was his first game for New Orleans Pelicans this season.
Other former Georgia Tech players who play in pro basketball:
Adam Smith (6’1”-PG-1992, played in 2015-16) played for Surne Bilbao Basket in Spanish Liga Endesa
Josh Okogie (6’4”-G-1998, played in 2016-18) plays for Phoenix Suns in the NBA
Thaddeus Young (6’8”-F-1988, played in 2006-07) played for Phoenix Suns in the NBA
Brandon Alston (6’5”-G-1995, played in 2017-19) played for Parnu in Estonian KML
James Banks III (6’10”-F/C-1998, played in 2018-20) signed for Aris Midea in Greek GBL
Glen Rice Jr. (6’6”-F-1991, played in 2009-12) plays for Cocodrilos in Venezuelan SPB
Ja’von Franklin (6’7”-F/C-1998, played in 2023-23) played for Yukatel Merkezefendi Belediyesi Basket Denizli in Turkish BSL
Derrick Favors (6’10”-F-1991, played in 2009-23) played for Windy City Bulls in the NBA G League
Rodney Howard (6’11”-F, played in 2020-23) signed for Craiova in Romanian Liga Nationala
Evan Jester (6’7”-F-1999, played in 2017-19) plays for Atlanta Aliens in the ABA
Charles Mitchell (6’8”-F/C-1993, played in 2014-16) plays for Dorados de Chihuahua in Mexican LNBP
Trae Golden (6’3”-PG-1991, played in 2013-14) played for Ahly Benghazi in Libyan D1
Gani Lawal (6’9”-F/C-1988, played in 2007-10) plays for Toros Del Valle in Colombian Liga WPlay
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of Georgia Tech basketball alumni.
