Jose Alvarado shot 8-13 from beyond the arc against the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday.
Jose Alvarado has fit in well with the New York Knicks in the three games he's played with them since being traded from the New Orleans Pelicans and his performance in the Knicks' absolute blowout of the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday.
Alvarado had 26 points in 19 minutes in the Knicks' 138-89 win over the 76ers and he shot 8-13 from the field, all of them three point attempts and makes. Alvarado also had five steals and he's proved early on in his time with the Knicks that he's on the squad to come off the bench, grab steals and rain down threes on their opponents.
He's always been a solid three-point shooter with a triple percentage of 33% or higher in all but his rookie season in the NBA, but Alvarado has heard some doubt at times from his detractors in regard to his three point ability. But, with a performance like he had on Wednesday, it would be hard for his critics to say anything now.
New York Knicks guard Jose Alvarado (5) reacts to his three pointer against the Philadelphia 76ers during the first half at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Bill Streicher-Imagn ImagesAlvarado and His Three Pointers
"I always thought I was a great shooter... obviously it's getting better," Alvarado said (via Knicks on MSG). "Ima keep getting better and I'm gonna knock shots down."
Alvarado's Wednesday stat line is the perfect summation of why the Knicks picked him up. He's capable of being an offensive spark plug off the bench and a pesky defender that tends to hide across the court and grab steals when the opposition least expects it.
That kind of immediate impact is exactly what the Knicks need as they stare down the final stretch of the season after the All-Star break. Alvarado mixes up the Knicks' schemes on both sides of the court and provides one extra matchup for other teams to try and work around.
What Alvarado Brings to His Hometown Team
With the Knicks in the second-seed of the Eastern Conference and staring down the Detroit Pistons, Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers as the serious competition around them, having a boost from Alvarado is exactly what the Knicks need right now.
New York Knicks guard Jose Alvarado (5) controls the ball in front of Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey (0) and center Adem Bona (30) during the first half at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Bill Streicher-Imagn ImagesWhat's even better is that Alvarado was able to have that standout performance on Wednesday for his hometown team. A Brooklyn native, Alvarado has been rooting for the Knicks since he was a kid and now he's able to be on of their most exciting pieces and a quick fan favorite among the New York faithful.
That hometown familiarity made it so it didn't take long for Alvarado to get comfortable with his new team and as even more time passes, the chemistry between the Knicks paired with their talent can take New York to a new height.