THE FLATS – Jose Alvarado is not fooling around in second year with Pelicans … Derrick Favors embracing leadership role in Houston … Josh Okogie gives Suns another ball hawk … Thaddeus Young on rule changes and role with Raptors … more in this week’s #ProJackets Report.
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PELICANS SEE ALVARADO NOT FOOLING AROUND
“Jose (Alvarado) is hard to describe, but you just know he’s going to bring that passion and energy to the game that you would want to see from anybody. He knows how to make himself a threat. Don’t let him fool y’all…”
Those were Zion Williamson’s words after watching Alvarado put on a show for the Smoothie King Center faithful who came out to the only true home preseason game of the year. Williamson is not falling for the tricks that destroyed the Detroit Pistons. Not after Alvarado “had 28 (points) and how many rebounds? Five? He’s doing this off the bench. We have a special group.”
The New Orleans Pelicans are running it back with last season’s playoff roster but also adding Zion Williamson and rookie Dyson Daniels. Alvarado, who started the run as part of the hyped-up DNP-CD bench mob, ran with his two-way rookie contract opportunity last year to carve out some minutes on a playoff team.
Alvarado secured a guaranteed NBA deal by doing the small things like pestering Chris Paul into 8-second violations. It’s that same attention to detail that will keep him on the court this season. The Puerto Rico National Team star did not take much time off this summer and has made some obvious improvements to his game.
The Georgia Tech alum was also adamant during media day that his intensity levels will remain at the same high level through all 82 games. Through three preseason games, Alvarado’s production and energy this preseason has impressed his teammates. Those teammates are in turn putting the NBA on notice: Grand Theft Alvarado is no one-hit-wonder.
Jose Alvarado was getting to the cup in the @PelicansNBA #NBAPreseason win!@AlvaradoJose15: 28 PTS, 5 REB 🔥 pic.twitter.com/4ddWkMImkt
— NBA (@NBA) October 8, 2022
Jose Alvarado tonight:
28 Points
5 Rebounds
67% FG— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) October 8, 2022
This crossover by Jose Alvarado was filthy 🤢pic.twitter.com/ywldIvYtU3
— Pelicans Nation (@PelsNationCP) October 8, 2022
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FAVORS MAKES GOOD FIRST IMPRESSION IN HOUSTON
The lone positive that came out of practice was the arrival of Derrick Favors and Theo Maledon, who have made great first impressions inside the Rockets’ locker room.
“Those guys are professionals — it’s almost like they have been here since day one,” Jae’Sean Tate said. “They are going to help us, and they add depth to our bench.”
The Rockets landed Favors and Maledon in the eight-player trade that sent David Nwaba, Sterling Brown, Trey Burke and Marquese Chriss to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Houston also obtained Moe Harkless and Ty Jerome, but they were waived before joining the team.
Assistant coach John Lucas II described Maledon as a “solid player” who can shoot the ball. He defined the addition of Favors as another veteran leader who can teach Houston’s young corps how to be a professional.
Derrick Favors at Rockets practice. pic.twitter.com/8RZ1LFoo6l
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) October 7, 2022
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FAVORS EMBRACING LEADERSHIP ROLE WITH ROCKETS
Veteran NBA big man Derrick Favors wasn’t expecting the recent trade that sent him from the Thunder to the Rockets, which was primarily completed for financial reasons (on Oklahoma City’s end) and draft compensation (on Houston’s end).
But now that he’s arrived, Favors is ready to make the most of it — regardless of whether he plays or watches from the bench.
In comments prior to Friday’s preseason victory over Toronto, which was the first for Favors as an active player for the Rockets, he said:
I’m happy to be here. This is a young team, and they play hard. It was a little bit unexpected, for me, but I’m happy to be here. I think I can provide some good leadership to the team, and help them in any way that they need help.
I’ve been on young teams before. This isn’t my first rodeo with this. I know how to approach it.”
Derrick Favors on joining the Rockets:
“It was a little bit unexpected, for me, but I’m happy to be here. I think I can provide some good leadership to the team, and help them in any way they need help.”
“I’ve been on young teams before. This isn’t my first rodeo with this.” pic.twitter.com/Dq7nP1QTeY
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) October 7, 2022
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OKOGIE’S ARRIVAL BRINGS BALL HAWK TO SUNS’ ROSTER
Entering Year 4 of the Monty Williams and James Jones era, the Phoenix Suns have never had a player quite like wing Josh Okogie.
Listed at 6-foot-4 and 213 pounds, you can sense how Okogie can come across as physically imposing. Okogie said Saturday that when Williams saw his thigh muscles, he compared it to the athletic phenomenon Bo Jackson.
On top of his strength with a 7-foot wingspan, Okogie sprinted at 20 miles an hour during the Suns’ summer testing. That speed prompted Williams to bring up Jackson when discussing Okogie.
The recently turned 24-year-old Okogie has built up a deserved reputation on the defensive end, where he puts those gifts to use. Given the positions he can cover with his size, strength and length, Okogie is unlike anyone Phoenix has had who could slot into the guard rotation.
“I think he can be a guy that comes off of our bench and just goes in and shuts somebody down,” Williams said of Okogie on Sept. 28. “He’s a guy that hasn’t found his niche in the league just yet where it’s consistent but that doesn’t mean he can’t. We hope over the course of time he makes it hard on me to keep him off the floor. From that standpoint, that was the excitement.”
Josh Okogie to the rim!!! #Suns pic.twitter.com/Te7dcKlOen
— Suns Geek On YouTube (@sunsgeek) October 13, 2022
“This might be it.”
Josh Okogie with the walk off finish of shots as he may play in the preseason.
Been limited with left hamstring strain. #Suns pic.twitter.com/bqGYCr4Vf0
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) October 7, 2022
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THADDEUS YOUNG TRAINING CAMP AVAILABILITY
Thaddeus Young, heading into his 16th season in the NBA, speaks at the Toronto Raptors’ media availability on October 11.
WATCH: Young media availability video
Thaddeus Young finds a cutting Gary Trent Jr. for the score. #NBAPreseason is live on NBA TV!
Start your 7-day Free Trial:
📲 https://t.co/rtPKXguWaF pic.twitter.com/Un7j45hYFf— NBA (@NBA) October 9, 2022
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