Grand Theft Alvarado has been as good as advertised since his arrival in the Big Apple.
Knicks head coach Mike Brown praised his 27-year-old point guard prior to tip-off against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday.
It’s been just 10 games played for Jose Alvarado in blue and orange following the Feb. 5 trade that sent him from New Orleans to New York — but that’s enough time for Brown to notice the difference on his team.
“He’s been good. The quickness is irreplaceable. It gives us a different look,” Brown said. “That was something that prior to him getting here, especially us wanting to play fast and all that, having another guy, especially that is that quick or maybe is different in a way that kind of stands out — I don’t know what that way would be — but Jose was available and I gotta give Leon [Rose] credit. He went out and got him.”
Entering Wednesday’s matchup, Alvarado averaged 8.0 points, 4.0 assists, 2.7 rebounds and 1.6 steals with the Knicks.
In just his second game with the team, a Feb. 11 road game against the Philadelphia 76ers, Alvarado erupted for 26 points, four assists and five steals in a 49-point blowout win.
The Brooklyn native seemingly solved Brown’s need for a consistent backup floor general behind star Jalen Brunson.
Initially, Malcolm Brogdon was a strong candidate for the role but the veteran decided to retire before the Knicks’ preseason finale.
Tyler Kolek and Miles McBride shared time in that role till early February when news dropped of McBride needing core surgery — the same day of the Alvarado trade — that likely keeps him sidelined for the entire regular season.
The severity of McBride’s injury put more emphasis on the Knicks front office to fill the void behind Brunson.
So far, it looks like Alvarado is doing well in the role.
“It’s helped us on both ends of the floor because he’s different than Jalen, he’s a veteran so he’s been in some big games, he knows the league, the league knows him,” Brown said. “The energy on top of the quickness that he brings to the table every time we step on the floor is irreplaceable. At least the guys that we had, or the guys that we have, it’s just different. I’ve been pleased with him.”
