THE FLATS –Jose Alvarado talks about new contract and the art of creating steals … Josh Okogie’s selfless season big factor in Timberwolves’ run to the NBA playoffs … Marcus Georges-Hunt and the Skyhawks eliminated from G League playoffs … more in this week’s #ProJackets Report.
PLAYOFF PICTURE – Alvarado and the Pelicans currently projected No. 9 seed, Okogie and Timberwolves No. 7 seed, as Western Conference participants in play-in tournament … Thaddeus Young and Raptors projected at No. 5 seed from the Eastern Conference.
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ALVARADO ON NEW CONTRACT, CREATING STEALS
Jose Alvarado is a perfect example of how quickly life can change in the NBA.
Around Christmas, Alvarado, an undrafted rookie, was on a two-way contract and spent most of his time riding the bench. There weren’t many NBA fans outside of New Orleans who could identify who he was if the Pelicans showed his picture on the video screen at a game.
Just a few months later, he’s turned into one of the most talked-about players on the Pelicans roster. His jersey is being sold at Smoothie King Center during home games, his sneaky backcourt steals have gone viral across several social media platforms and he’s quickly turned into a fan favorite because of his energetic and joyous style of play.
The funny steal videos and dancing on the sideline may convince some people that Alvarado is only a gimmick. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. Alvarado has game — and he’s been in the news lately because he did something all NBA players love to do: sign a new contract. On March 28, Alvarado and the Pelicans agreed to a four-year, $6.5 million deal that eliminated his two-way status and locked in his spot on the roster for years to come.
Alvarado’s emergence has turned into one of the best stories to come out of this rollercoaster season, and he’s given the Pelicans a steady option at one of the most important positions in the game.
Not sure who was happier: Jose or B.I. 😊 pic.twitter.com/9jBhkrRX5K
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) March 28, 2022
“I’m not the guy they bring up when they talk about great defensive players, but I’m gonna make sure I am soon enough.”
I got to talk 1-on-1 with Jose Alvarado about his new contract, his mentality on defense and this “special” Pelicans rookie class.https://t.co/YnwWBOw3fM
— Will Guillory (@WillGuillory) April 5, 2022
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PLANNING FOR ALVARADO, CRAFTY DEFENDER
The NBA is 75 years old, but it can still deliver surprises.
Take New Orleans Pelicans coach Willie Green’s unusual request before tipoff against the Clippers on Sunday that the NBA refrain from featuring one of his players in its highlight packages.
And then there’s the reason for that wish: Jose Alvarado.
“Grand Theft Alvarado,” as the Pelicans’ rookie guard is affectionately known, is playing a innovative version of hide-and-seek that keeps successfully resulting in steals and turnovers.
A steal is part of the game, but the way Alvarado does it, his are more like well-planned heists.
More from the Pasadena Star News
Jose Alvarado é totalmente biruleibe das ideias kkkkkcmdkdkdspic.twitter.com/YZ2DpQ6mwf
— NBA do Povo 🏀🇧🇷 (@NBAdoPovo) April 5, 2022
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IN APPRECIATION OF JOSH OKOGIE’S SELFLESS SEASON
Josh Okogie is in his fourth season with the Wolves, the second-longest tenured player on the team behind Karl-Anthony Towns. He is a proud man who participated in the Olympics with the Nigerian basketball team and entered this season with hopes of being a fixture on a playoff team for the first time in his career. After starting the first three games of the season, Okogie had essentially fallen out of the rotation by then, which could have made him surly and irritable.
There was no grumbling. No sighs of exasperation. And when he took the floor that night, he didn’t see any playing time for a fifth straight game. But he went through an elaborate little dance routine with support staff before pregame introductions, remained engaged on the bench and waited for his chance because you never know when it’s going to arrive.
It arrived on Sunday at the end of a long, oddly juxtaposed, four-game road trip in Boston, Toronto, Denver and Houston. Not exactly geographically straightforward. Two days after a thrilling, exhausting victory against the Nuggets, the Wolves came to Houston road-weary and probably weren’t expecting much of a fight from the tanking Rockets. Patrick Beverley was given the night off to rest a bothersome ankle, and Chris Finch knew his team would need to find a little boost from somewhere. So he turned to Okogie.
Okogie, meanwhile, got 16:15 of playing time, his first non-mop-up duty in almost a month. He made three of his four shots, scored 11 points, swiped two steals and cut to the basket so hard and effectively that he generated six free-throw attempts, making five.
In appreciation of Josh Okogie, whose selfless season has helped set the tone for Timberwolves’ success
https://t.co/KEDK4M3PEH— Jon Krawczynski (@JonKrawczynski) April 4, 2022
OK THEN, JO pic.twitter.com/zpgnAo857j
— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) April 3, 2022
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SKYHAWKS ELIMINATED FROM G LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
Despite 18 points, eight rebounds and eight assists from Marcus Georges-Hunt, the College Park Skyhawks lost to the Capital City Go-Go, 131-122, in a one-game elimination quarterfinal of the G-League playoffs Tuesday in Washington, D.C.
Justin Tillman led the Skyhawks with 30 points and 14 rebounds. Sharife Cooper added 19 points and 13 assists. They were two of seven players in double figure scoring with Georges-Hunt, A.J. Lawson (11 points), Langston Galloway (14 points), DaQuan Jeffries (16 points) and Malik Ellison (10 points).
The College Park Skyhawks wrapped up their first complete season in the G League with a 20-13 regular-season record, that included an 11-game win streak to clinch their first playoff berth. Georges-Hunt scored a team-high 23 points, the fifth time he has scored at least 20 points this season, to help the Skyhawks clinch the playoff berth in a win over the Grand Rapids Gold. He matched his career high with five made threes.
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