THE FLATS – Jose Alvarado working to improve in Pelicans summer league on heels of stint with Puerto Rico national team … Josh Okogie ready to contribute in multiple ways for Suns … more in this week’s #ProJackets Report.
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ALVARADO’S PRESENCE FELT IN GYMS ACROSS THE COUNTRY
A year ago at summer league, New Orleans Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado was on a two-way contract and didn’t even start for the team in any of its five summer league games — playing the ninth-most minutes on the team.
Slowly but surely, however, Alvarado carved out his place on the NBA scene. He fought for minutes and took advantage of absences during the year to cement himself in the Pelicans’ rotation, and by the playoffs he was going toe to toe with one of the greatest point guards of all time in Chris Paul while earning himself a full NBA contract.
Alvarado carried that momentum into the offseason when he joined the Puerto Rican national team during the most recent FIBA qualifying round, which included an eight-point loss to the United States and a 10-point victory over Mexico. Alvarado was Puerto Rico’s leading scorer in both games.
The fan favorite said he found it jarring to be walking around with former NBA player and Puerto Rican native Carlos Arroyo or former NBA point guard Mike Bibby, and people would want to take pictures with just him.
There was a stretch in clutch where Jose was going shot for shot with CP3 pic.twitter.com/yI66L4dIlY
— James Smith Jr (@iamjamesnumber1) July 3, 2022
Un clásico del basket boricua.
Tiro de tres, todo el mundo gritando “yyyyyy” durante el trayecto de la bola y al final el climax con el “JUAAAAAAAAA” cuando entra.
El Clemente = la ⛪️ del 🏀🇵🇷 pic.twitter.com/u7cSCd48Kz
— Rafa Aldamuy 🇵🇷 (@aldamuyfutbol) July 5, 2022
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JOSE ALVARADO WORKING TO IMPROVE SHOOTING
The Georgia Tech product was a 34.1 percent three-point shooter in college, but had his best NCAA season as a senior at 39.0 percent. As a Pelicans rookie, he finished at just 29.1 percent, though in typical Alvarado fashion, he drilled a few momentous treys in the Phoenix playoff series, going 6/16 overall. Entering his second NBA campaign, he wants to bump up his accuracy, particularly given where he fits within the team’s personnel.
“We’ve got big-time players,” Alvarado said. “Zion is going to be coming back, so I’m pretty sure (defenses are) not worried about me. I’m going to be open. I have to knock (shots) down.”
Alvarado already had the opportunity to play an expanded role with Puerto Rico’s national team in a pair of recent international games. Alvarado averaged 21.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 1.5 steals, while draining six three-pointers.
Erin Summers goes 1-on-1 with Jose Alvarado in Pelicans Summer League
Courtside at @NBASummerLeague: @AlvaradoJose15
📸: @NBA | #SummerPelicans pic.twitter.com/iUH5A4POIe
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) July 8, 2022
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ALVARADO TO BE HELD OUT REMAINDER OF SUMMER LEAGUE
The New Orleans Pelicans will hold guards Jose Alvarado and Dyson Daniels out for the remainder of the NBA Summer League, according to Andrew Lopez.
Alvarado averaged 6.1 points, 1.9 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.3 steals in 15.4 minutes per game. He became infamous for hiding on the sideline and stealing the ball from unaware opposing players as they came up the court.
Following the season, Alvarado received a four-year $6.5 million contract extension.
How can I not love it here !! https://t.co/ojIKGmCkz0
— Jose Alvarado (@AlvaradoJose15) July 13, 2022
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OKOGIE READY TO CONTRIBUTE TO SUNS IN MULTIPLE WAYS
Josh Okogie has already visualized the role he’ll play for the Phoenix Suns.
“I just want to be that Swiss Army knife every team needs,” Okogie said. “Defense. Energy. Shot making. A little spacing. Playmaking. Whatever the team needs.”
Make that roles.
Okogie signed a one-year deal with the Suns after averaging 6.4 points in four NBA seasons with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
“I like the way they play basketball,” Okogie said Sunday at NBA Summer League in Las Vegas. “Winning organization. I just wanted to associate myself with that.”
Josh Okogie wants to contribute to the Suns’ defense, energy, shot making, spacing, and playmaking 💪 pic.twitter.com/h7J7lTRDse
— Suns Nation (@SunsNationCP) July 11, 2022
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SUMMER LEAGUE SCENES
Marcus Georges-Hunt scores 2-pointer vs. the Utah Jazz
Jordan Usher showing off the footwork and getting the bounce on this fade pic.twitter.com/FPm1BQeti4
— Aram Cannuscio (@AC__Hoops) July 8, 2022
Jordan Usher backpedaling on defense and then providing help with the block at the rim pic.twitter.com/HgLLNScRtF
— Aram Cannuscio (@AC__Hoops) July 12, 2022
Jordan Usher showing off the footwork and getting the bounce on this fade pic.twitter.com/FPm1BQeti4
— Aram Cannuscio (@AC__Hoops) July 8, 2022
Jordan Usher backpedaling on defense and then providing help with the block at the rim pic.twitter.com/HgLLNScRtF
— Aram Cannuscio (@AC__Hoops) July 12, 2022
2 Georgia Tech products & 2021 ACC Champs are facing off here at NBA Summer League with Moses Wright suiting up for the Mavericks and Jordan Usher being with the Jazz. Jose Alvarado here watching & supporting too. Cool to see. pic.twitter.com/QwqbMlDj1P
— Trent Markwith (@TMarkwith14) July 12, 2022
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