The Knicks’ Jose Alvarado is already taking on the role of a much-needed enforcer
PHILADELPHIA – The little guy stood up for the big guy. It had a huge impact.
It’s not a common sight around the Knicks this year – someone actually standing up to an opponent to defend their teammate.
Mitchell Robinson, going up for a dive, was fouled by Trendon Watford at the end of the first quarter. The Knicks beat the 76ers 138-89 Wednesday night at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Immediately, with Robinson still on the ground, Alvarado tried to clear Watford.
When Watford didn’t budge, Alvarado exchanged a few words with him, and the two had to be separated.
Both Alvarado and 76ers coach Nick Nurse were fouled by technical fouls.
“He made a huge mistake, but I think he made a little extra by staring,” Alvarado said. “I wouldn’t do any of that. It was just in the moment. I think that’s when I’m at my best, a little more active. It’s worked out for me.”
This led to the Knicks’ run that opened the game and put them in strong control.
After the incident, the Knicks led the 76ers by 15 points before Alvarado came out in the second quarter to increase their lead from nine points to 24 points.
Alvarado scored nine of those 15 points on three 3-pointers.
“He lit us up, in a lot of different ways,” coach Mike Brown said.
It wasn’t a major brawl, but there was some brawl that the Knicks have been missing this year, which is one reason they acquired Alvarado before the deadline.
It was a huge contrast to their lack of response when Draymond Green grabbed Karl-Anthony Towns’ leg and pulled him down during the loss to the Warriors on January 15.
Now, however, the Knicks have an outlet. Even if it is generously listed at 6 feet.
Brown gives a defensive player for the game next, and the receiver poses with a pair of Timberland boots, among other accessories, to represent a tough mentality.
It was fitting that Alvarado, who received recognition on Wednesday, was actually wearing a pair of his own.
“This is what we need,” Josh Hart said. “That’s what we want from him. Obviously, that toughness, the ability to help us get organized, the ability to make shots. And bringing energy defensively, bringing physicality, getting into passing lanes, those types of things. That’s why he’s here.”
Alvarado’s tenacious on-ball defense and toughness is what he is known for. His offensive game is usually a question mark.
But he was the team’s unlikely leading scorer on Wednesday, finishing with 26 points, almost all on 3-pointers.
Garbage time became Alvarado’s time, as he got going for the 76ers during the fourth quarter, using his patented sneak attack to make steals while catching 3s on the other end. He hit four more 3-pointers in the fourth quarter.
His 26 points and five steals were season highs. It was a team-high plus 35 in just 19 minutes. His eight three-pointers tied a career high.
“I rolled over,” Alvarado said. “I didn’t know I had eight (3s) – I had to make another one so I could break the tie.”
By the fourth quarter, a large number of Knicks fans in attendance were chanting “Jose, Jose, Jose, Jose” and on their feet for every shot. The Knicks’ potential major stimulant has arrived with the force of his arrival.
