Could Jose Alvarado Handle Extended Minutes Against Elite Western Conference Guards?
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As the NBA season progresses, the query of whether Jose Alvarado can manage extended minutes against elite guards from the Western Conference becomes more critical. The Pelicans have him slotted as a backup point guard, and for stretches this season, he has played alongside starter CJ McCollum. But in the playoffs, the Pels must have the capacity to either go big or small against whatever teams they might face. Woods’ key question is about the Pelicans’ playoff capacity against elite opposing guards and whether it includes backup point guard Alvarado.
Analyzing Jose Alvarado’s Defensive Metrics
We need to look at Alvarado’s defensive statistics to understand his capacity to handle extended minutes against the best competition. Last season, he averaged 1.7 steals per game and had a defensive rating of 110. This rating tells us that he allows fewer points per 100 possessions than the average player. And then there’s the on-ball pressure. Alvarado ranks among the top guards in the league when it comes to this essential part of playing defense.
- The average number of steals made per game: 1.7
- Defensive Efficiency: 110
- Percentage of Field Goals Made by Opponents: 43%
When looking at these metrics compared to those of top guards in the Western Conference, Alvarado’s defense looks good. But he may not be able to maintain that effectiveness for as long as he might need to in a game. There’s a suggestion in the stats that Alvarado becomes a little less effective on defense when he plays more than 24 minutes in a game. Which is a problem when you’re trying to keep a player like Steph or Ja from scoring.
Could Jose Alvarado Handle Extended Minutes Against Elite Western Conference Guards?
Following that, we need to think about the demands—both physical and mental—that top-tier guards place on Alvarado. When he is matched up with a higher-caliber opponent, the intensity of his responsibilities as a defender magnifies. Last season, for example, when Alvarado was up against elite guard play, we saw his numbers take a dip. Over 30 minutes of court time matched up against high-level scoring guards, we saw his steal rate settle in at a not-so-stellar 0.8 per game.
Alvarado’s effectiveness in isolating situations tells us a good bit about his potential. In isolation plays, he performed well, holding opponents to just 36% shooting. But can he maintain that level with extended minutes? The answer is uncertain.
Fatigue could also play a critical role. Spending prolonged minutes against fast-paced guards may lead to concentration and technique lapses. All of this adds up to a huge question: Can Jose Alvarado take on the best Western Conference guards for long stretches? Ultimately, he may be limited less by his talent and more by what his coaches ask of him and how they manage the game.
Examples of Guard Matchups
To center our discussion, let’s examine Alvarado’s confrontations last season with well-established all-star caliber point guards:
- In 24 minutes, Alvarado managed to hold Curry to 4-of-10 shooting but was overwhelmed in the fourth quarter.
- Ja Morant: For 27 minutes of a game, he was better than average—a better defender, anyway—as evidenced by the 2 steals he came up with. But he also allowed 20 points to the guy he was supposed to be matching with, showing that over a long sample, he can be had.
- Luka Dončić: He scored 30 points, but he did it with such ease that it was almost hard to believe it was actually happening. For 32 minutes, I struggled to keep him from doing that.
These examples accentuate the importance of matchups and rotations. Moreover, the coaches must concoct a scheme to keep Alvarado fresh while maintaining his leave-no-one-safe, aggressive defense.
Conclusion: The Future for Jose Alvarado
In the end, the question comes down to this: Can Jose Alvarado withstand the rigors of pro ball in a role that might require him to play 30 minutes or more against the kind of top-tier Western Conference guards that just happen to be terrorizing the rest of the league? It’s a tough assignment for any young player, even one as good as Alvarado has shown he can be. It’s not quite as tough, however, if you can manage to divide and conquer those elite guards by using them as a top-and-bottom-pressure scheme in tandem with another smaller lineup that can also guard the top of the key.
The Pelicans’ playoff hopes hinge on their second-year guard taking a leap forward. If Alvarado can hold up for long stretches as a defender and continue to be an offensive spark plug working alongside the likes of Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson, he will be able to play an important role in a host of interesting matchups. Whether the Pels can make any significant noise come April may depend largely on Alvarado succeeding in these instances.
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