Knicks fans ignited Jose Alvarado's energy, transforming him into an impactful force. Karl-Anthony Towns credits the roaring crowd for his immediate success and confidence.
Karl-Anthony Towns has been vocal about what Jose Alvarado has brought to the New York Knicks since arriving at the trade deadline, and he wants the fans to get some of the credit.
The Knicks picked up Alvarado from the New Orleans Pelicans on February 5 in exchange for Dalen Terry and two second-round picks, and the Brooklyn native has fit right in since day one.
After New York's comeback win over the Houston Rockets on Saturday, Towns pointed to the fan base as a big reason for Alvarado's fast start.
"They made him feel loved and feel welcomed. I think he's reciprocated that energy with his own tenacity on the court. Shout-out to our fans who welcomed him and gave him the confidence, the belief and the love needed to do what he does best," Towns said.
Alvarado's Impact Has Been Immediate
It did not take long for the former Pelicans guard to show what he could do. Alvarado grew up in Brooklyn and played high school ball at Christ the King in Queens, and he has been a jolt of energy off the bench since joining the roster.
In six games with New York, he is averaging 10.2 points, 2.5 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 2.2 steals per game while shooting 40 percent from the field and 34.2 percent from three, a clear step up from his 7.9 points and 0.9 steals per game in 41 games with New Orleans before the trade.
The steal numbers tell the biggest story. Alvarado, who earned the nickname "Grand Theft Alvarado" in New Orleans, leads the NBA in total steals since joining the Knicks.
His five-steal game against the Rockets included a late strip of Kevin Durant that helped spark an 18-point fourth-quarter comeback.
Head coach Mike Brown has shown trust in Alvarado by playing him in crunch time, including closing out the Rockets game.
With Deuce McBride out until the playoffs after core muscle surgery, Alvarado is filling a real need behind Jalen Brunson.
Where the Knicks Stand in the East
New York sits at 37-21, good for the third seed in the Eastern Conference behind the Detroit Pistons (42-14) and Boston Celtics (37-19).
The Knicks are right there with the Cleveland Cavaliers (36-22) in a tight race for positioning and carry a two-game winning streak into Tuesday's matchup at Cleveland.
Towns has been the steady force all year, averaging 19.8 points and 11.9 rebounds per game while racking up an NBA-leading 39 double-doubles through 51 games.
He put up 28 points and 11 rebounds in Sunday's 105-99 win over the Chicago Bulls and had 25 and 12 the night before against the Rockets.
That is why the addition of Alvarado matters.
He is not going to start or play 30 minutes a night, but his defense and energy give New York another reliable option when games get tight.