Pelicans Jose Alvarado Still Making Huge Impacts Despite Diminished Role

The Pelicans guard has been in and out of the lineup recently, but still is a energy boost off the bench.

New Orleans, LA - New Orleans guard Jose Alvarado is a sparkplug off the Pelicans bench. How the Pels have used that energy has varied greatly recently. Alvarado has been in and out of the rotation lately but has remained ready to play when his number is called. Take the Pelicans' victory against the San Antonio Spurs on Friday for example. Alvarado did not play the entire first half and the first few minutes of the second half.

Coach Willie Green inserted Jose into the lineup about midway through the third quarter, with the Pels down by double-digits. Alvarado's impact was so immediate that he played every second for the remainder of the game. Jose finished with eight points, three assists, two steals, and two rebounds. Coach Green praised Alvarado for his stay-ready approach to games.

Jan 26, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado (15) dribbles against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Aaron Wiggins (21) during the second half at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

"He (Alvarado) was extremely impactful. A ton of credit goes to Jose and Coach Brandon Demas," Green told reporters after the Spurs victory. "They continue to work, whether he's playing five minutes, ten minutes, 20 minutes. It's evident in his play. He came out tonight, put him in for the second half, and he really turned things around. We're grateful."

Alvardo's minutes over the last few weeks have tapered off with the emergence of rookie Jordan Hawkins and various lineup tweaks the Pelicans have implemented. Over the last 12 games, Jose has been a healthy scratch three times from the lineup. In three other games, he played less than 15 minutes combined. Still, Alvarado is finding ways to impact the game when he's on the floor. 

After recording a DNP (coach's decision) against the Boston Celtics, Alvarado played 14 minutes against the Houston Rockets. His stat line of seven points and a rebound may not jump up out the page at you. However, Jose had the third highest (+/-) in the game despite playing the fewest minutes on the Pelicans team. As much as physically playing the game is important, the mental aspect Alvarado approaches each team helps him have success when he's on the floor.

"I prepare myself to play at any time over the course of the game," Alvarado told local reporters after the Spurs game. "I'm just really glad I get to change the energy of the game. I'm just happy to get the win."

Alvarado embraces the underdog label like a badge of honor. Going undrafted in the 2021 NBA Draft, Jose had to earn not only respect, but playing time on the court. Circumstances again have Alvarado uncertain about his playing time on a nightly basis. The difference now is that he has his coaches and teammates respect that he'll make a difference the moment he steps on the floor.