Jose Alvarado talks New York hoops, Melo’s influence, and why giving back matters more than ever

Rodney Knuppel

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Jose Alvarado talks New York hoops, Melo’s influence, and why giving back matters more than ever image

Before Jose Alvarado was picking pockets in the NBA and turning full-court pressure into a personal brand, he was another kid grinding his way through New York’s ruthless hoops circuit.

A New York hooper through and through

That is why, when Landon Buford asked him about the state of New York basketball, Alvarado did not sugarcoat a thing.

“New York is my hometown, so I’m bias,” he said. “But definitely the best. Growing up playing there creates an atmosphere and a character that a lot of areas can’t do for you. It’s competitors everywhere. It’s toughness everywhere. It’s the Mecca.”

That toughness became the backbone of a career that has taken the 27-year-old from local standout, to Georgia Tech star, to one of the NBA’s most disruptive guards.

Now in his fourth season with the New Orleans Pelicans, Alvarado is averaging 9.1 points per game while continuing to give the team instant energy off the bench.

MORE: Knicks’ Josh Hart says he and the Knicks are taking the NBA Cup seriously

The next wave still carries that NYC hunger

Ask Alvarado about the next generation coming out of the city and he sounds like someone who has watched New York hoops evolve without losing its identity.

“There’s always the next generation coming,” he said. “If you can play in New York, then you can play anywhere.”

Even with today’s trainers, highlight reels, and polished skills development, the city’s core hasn’t changed. Kids still scrap for every inch of respect. Rivalries still matter. Gyms still feel different when the stakes rise.

New York still breeds competitors first and basketball players second — something Alvarado embodies every night in the league.

Melo: The blueprint for a whole generation

Of course, no New York basketball conversation is complete without Carmelo Anthony. For Alvarado, Melo was more than a star. He was the example.

“Oh my god, Melo,” he said, smiling. “He did so much for the city. He represented it well. We know where he’s from, but he made New York his home. He carried a lot of memories as I grew up.”

Melo gave kids from all five boroughs a player who felt like one of their own — a scorer with swagger, confidence, and a game that looked like the parks and playgrounds Alvarado grew up on.

“I want to say congrats and thank him for everything he did in the league,” Alvarado added. “The league respects whatever he’s got going on.”

Still making an impact on the floor

Even as he continues to build his voice off the court, Alvarado’s on-court production remains steady.

He scored 10 points and handed out 6 assists in Monday’s loss to the Spurs. Last week at Brooklyn on December 6, he delivered 9 points and 6 assists in front of a New York crowd that still views him as one of theirs.

He plays with a spark that never fades: always pressing, always talking, always turning a simple possession into chaos for ball-handlers.

It is not hard to see where that comes from.

A court for the kids back home

What makes Alvarado’s story even more compelling is how early he has embraced giving back. During the interview, he revealed that he is in the early stages of building a basketball court in New York.

“I’m building a court in New York for the youth,” he said. “Just for them to get in the gym a little bit here and there.”

No press releases. No elaborate campaign. Just a New York kid trying to create something real for the next group of hoopers coming up behind him.

As his NBA career continues to grow, Alvarado says more community work and business ventures are on the horizon. But the court comes first.

“I will keep getting involved business-wise as I keep going,” he said. “I’ll talk about it as things progress.”

A true NYC original

The full interview shows exactly why fans connect with him. He is real. He is loyal to his roots. And he plays the game with the same fire that New York instilled in him as a kid.

“Grand Theft Alvarado” might be the nickname, but the energy behind it is all New York.