THE FLATS – Jose Alvarado grabs attention in start vs. Mavericks … Thaddeus Young, professional glue guy … Michael Devoe in training camp with Clippers G League team … Jordan Usher flourishing in rookie season in Turkey … more in this week’s #ProJackets Report.
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ALVARADO GRABS ATTENTION IN START VS. MAVERICKS
Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado makes a strong start against Luka Doncic and the Mavericks, shooting efficiently from the field and intercepting the opposition’s possession.
The New Orleans Pelicans certainly have everyone’s attention, given the talent on the roster and their recent signings, boasting the likes of Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, and CJ McCollum, to name a few, with there being some unsung names too.
Touted to be a top contender in the west, the Pels have a pool of young talent, evident in the recent contest against the Mavericks in the form of point guard Jose Alvarado. Going undrafted in the 2021-22 season, the former Georgia Tech player had our attention.
Known to be a defensive pest, Alvarado impressed on the offensive side of schemes amid the absence of Zion and BI. Starting for the mere second time in his career, the Pels PG was ready to go off, scoring 7 of the team’s 13 points initially in the first quarter.
Jose Alvarado is off to a hot start against the Mavs. 👀
He’s got 7 of the Pelicans’ 13 PTS so far in Q1 on TNT.#KiaTipOff22 pic.twitter.com/9eeSzVxOgN
— NBA (@NBA) October 25, 2022
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24 SECONDS WITH JOSE ALVARADO
Friday’s setting is a familiar one for Jose Alvarado, with the New Orleans Pelicans playing a national TV game against the Phoenix Suns in Arizona, this time on ESPN (9 p.m. Central). The Georgia Tech product capped his eye-opening rookie NBA season by causing a few memorable Suns turnovers in an April first-round playoff series, including an eight-second violation and his patented steal from behind vs. future Hall of Famer Chris Paul. The 24-year-old joined Pelicans.com for this week’s “24 Seconds” Q&A, the second edition of the 2022-23 season.
Jose Alvarado showing off that dog in him leading to a Trey Murphy drive and slam pic.twitter.com/yMp6DmDuA5
— Pelicans Film Room (@PelsFilmRoom) October 26, 2022
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THAD YOUNG: PROFESSIONAL GLUE GUY
Chris Bosh was the All-Star that bridged the gap between the Vince Carter and Demar Derozan/Kyle Lowry eras. He led the Toronto Raptors to two playoff series but was meant for bigger things in Miami.
Damon Stoudamire was the original G.R.O.A.T. whose Rookie of the Year award was supposed to be an omen of the new franchise’s blossoming future. Unfortunately, he only lasted 2.5 seasons before (requesting and) getting traded to Portland.
By the time Jalen Rose was traded to the Raptors, he was 31 and approaching his decline. That didn’t stop him from leading the team in scoring in his first full season with Toronto (a squad, mind you, that also had Bosh and Carter).
So, what do three of the best left-handed players in franchise history have in common with Thaddeus Young?
Nothing and everything.
Young will never be an All-Star. Young will never be considered the greatest Raptor of all-time. Young will never lead the Raptors in scoring.
He does, however, possess similar traits as each of those great lefties that will serve him well — as well as the team — throughout his Raptors tenure.
VIDEO: Young with a buzzer-beater vs. Cavaliers
Great, out of context quote from Thad Young today:
“I’m kind of like that piece that can bring everything together,” he said. “The Transporter out of the group.” pic.twitter.com/A3Ba9PrzgF
— Louis Zatzman (@LouisZatzman) October 11, 2022
“The defensive side of the basketball is what wins games.
It’s about can you get stops?
If we don’t get stops, we’re not going to get wins.”
– Thaddeus Young pic.twitter.com/dsbDHXjJKo
— Coach Mac 🏀 (@BballCoachMac) October 26, 2022
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ONE VOTE FOR FAVORS TO BE SIGNED BY GOLDEN STATE
Last season, they ranked ninth in the NBA in total rebounds per game (53.1), but they ranked just 19th in offensive rebounds per game (9.8).
Therefore, they were a good rebounding team, but they could have been even better.
I think they should consider signing NBA veteran Derrick Favors to the roster.
The former third-overall pick was recently waived by the Houston Rockets, so he is a free agent available to be signed by any team in the league.
Last season, he played in 39 games for the Oklahoma City Thunder, and in less than 17 minutes of action per contest, he averaged 5.3 points and 4.7 rebounds.
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DEVOE IN TRAINING CAMP WITH CLIPPERS G LEAGUE TEAM
The Ontario Clippers have announced their training camp roster for the 2022-23 NBA G League Season, which tips off for the Clippers on Nov. 4.
Ontario’s training camp roster includes: Moses Brown and Moussa Diabate (two-way players); Michael Devoe, Bryson Williams and Lucas Williamson (affiliate players); Nate Darling, Kameron Edwards, Malik Fitts, Xavier Moon, Juwan Morgan and Keaton Wallace (returning rights players); Warith Alatishe, David Collins and JJ Moore (drafted players); Jordan Cintron and Jared Savage (local tryout players).
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JORDAN USHER IMPRESSING IN ROOKIE SEASON IN TURKEY
Jordan Usher (98’) who played in Summer League with Utah Jazz is having an impressive rookie season in Europe.
On saturday, Usher scored 17 points in the win against Galatasaray with a spectacular second half performance. Keep an eye on him pic.twitter.com/ix5GQOf5AI
— Doruk Karaca (@Dorukaraca) October 25, 2022
— Beşiktaş Basketbol (@BJK_Basketbol) October 22, 2022
📸Jordan Usher.👊 pic.twitter.com/0WhcWaBTR5
— Beşiktaş Yetiyor (@BJKYetiyor) October 22, 2022
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