Jose Alvarado has played more games in a New Orleans Pelicans’ uniform than anyone else who is available for the rest of this season.
Alvarado, already one of the team’s most popular players, is now all of a sudden the team’s best and most reliable player.
It’s why his name is now the last one called when the starting lineups are introduced at games in the Smoothie King Center.
This is Alvarado’s team now as the Pelicans limp to the finish line of one of the most disappointing seasons in franchise history.
“We count on Jose a lot,” said Pelicans’ coach Willie Green. “We count on him when he’s not starting. We count on him when he’s starting. He’ll have a great opportunity in front of him to finish up the season.”
Alvarado put that leadership on display Wednesday night. The Pelicans didn’t get a win, but Alvarado finished with a team-high 17 points and 10 assists in a road loss to the Los Angeles Clippers. It was his second double double of the season and the third of his career.
It was also his first time leading the Pelicans in scoring this season. Alvarado shot 7-of-16 from the floor, but also missed all five of his 3-point attempts. He also had four turnovers.
“When you have guys like CJ and Zion and Trey Murphy who create so much attention, you get the easier shots,” Alvarado said. “Now they are all out and the scouting (reports) are more about you in that sense. The guys know my weaknesses and not my weakness, so they test you mentally. You’ve got to continue to make shots and continue to improve. You’re going to turn the ball over, but you’ve got to keep going. You’re going to miss shots, but you’ve got to keep shooting.”
Alvarado also grabbed two rebounds and had one of his trademark Grand Theft Alvarado steals on Clippers' guard James Harden.
It was a bounce back performance for Alvarado, who wasn’t pleased with how he played three nights earlier in a home win against the Charlotte Hornets. In that game, Alvarado finished with 12 points. He shot just 4-for-16 from the floor, including 1-of-7 on 3-pointers
“To be honest, I played like s---,” Alvarado said after that win.
But despite that tough self criticism, Alvarado delivered in the clutch moments to lead the Pelicans to victory over the Hornets. He got fouled while making a reverse lay-up to give the Pelicans a lead with 31.4 seconds left. Then after a Charlotte turnover, he drove to the basket and dished out an assist to Keion Brooks that ended up being the dagger.
“It was down the stretch and they said go make a play and I did what I thought was best,” Alvarado said.
James Borrego, filling in for as head coach that night since Green was out for personal reasons, wasn’t surprised about Alvarado's late game heroics.
"He’s a winner,” Borrego said. “He loves being in those moments."
Unfortunately for Alvarado and the Pelicans, there haven’t been many winning moments this season. The Pelicans will take a 21-55 record into Friday’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers (46-29) at Crypto.com Arena. The injuries wrecked this season.
“The positive is that it’s a season that Jose gets to grow,” Alvarado said, speaking in third person. “Young guys get to grow. A chance to see what you’re capable of doing. …The younger guys and me are learning a lot. I’m learning as this process goes on and it’s going to get me better later in my future. I have to understand that.”
The Pelicans face a stiff test Friday against LeBron James, Luka Doncic and the Lakers. After that, they return home Sunday to face Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks. Alvarado’s name, like it has been the past few home games, will be the last one called when the starting lineups are announced. He doesn’t take it for granted.
“Without these fans or without the people giving me the confidence they give me, honestly I don’t know where I’d be at mentally with this game,” Alvarado said. “They help me. This is tough. I haven’t been playing well, but these guys are staying there with me and giving me confidence and helping me believe in myself and in my game.”
It's his team for the rest of the way. The Pelicans are counting on him.
“For him, it’s just continuing to build on what he’s done,” Green said. “Adding to his game on both ends of the floor and continuing to be a leader for our group.”