José Alvarado meets in the NBA at the beginning of his million-dollar contract with the Pelicans

A month and a half into his second year at the NBA, Jose Alvarado he’s made every penny of his $6.8 million contract with the New Orleans Pelicans count.

The Puerto Rican point guard has been a key piece for the success of the quintet that, until Saturday, is third in the competitive Western Conference with a 14-8 record after accumulating three consecutive victories.

In two of the three wins, Alvarado had 15 points against Oklahoma City and San Antonio coming off the bench. It was the third time that he reached 15 units. The first was in the overtime loss against the Los Angeles Lakers on November 2.

In 22 games, the member of the National Team has 12 games scoring in double figures for New Orleans. So far this season, he is averaging 8.7 points, 2.4 rebounds and 3.4 assists with 1.3 steals in 20.6 minutes.

It’s a significant increase from his first year in the NBA, when he signed as a free agent after going undrafted in the rookie draft. In 2021-22 he averaged 6.1 points, 1.9 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 15 minutes of action, helping the Pelicans reach the first round of the playoffs to earn his four-year, million-dollar contract.

“A lot of people told me that sophomore year is a down year for some guys. I didn’t want that to be in my name. I wanted people to say, ‘Oh, I’ve gotten better. What else can he do?’” Alvarado said in an interview last week with The Athletic portal.

“Playing defense is who I am. But I’m also a complete basketball player. I can be a great point guard. I can hit key shots. I think there are many things that I can do on the court to help this team,” he added.

Certainly, Alvarado has been essential in the great start of the Pelicans – led by stars Zion Williams and CJ McCollum – with his energy and stifling defense coming into the game as a reserve. His specialty, surprise ball stealing, has earned him the nickname “Grand Theft Alvarado.”

And Alvarado doesn’t want to slow down with more than half the season left. He has ambitious goals to cross off on his list.

“I want to be in the Rising Star Game. I want to be in the conversation for the All-Defensive team and things like that. I want to be one of the best point guards in the league. Even if it doesn’t happen this year, I want people to know that I’m one of the guys that should be put in that category. I have those goals in front of me and I always pursue them. That’s part of the fuel that keeps me going,” he stated.

The Pelicans play Sunday against the Denver Nuggets.