Grand Theft Alvarado has been as good as advertised since his arrival in the Big Apple.<\/p>\n
Knicks head coach Mike Brown praised his 27-year-old point guard prior to tip-off against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s been just 10 games played for Jose Alvarado in blue and orange following the Feb. 5 trade that sent him from New Orleans to New York<\/a> \u2014 but that\u2019s enough time for Brown to notice the difference on his team.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s been good. The quickness is irreplaceable. It gives us a different look,\u201d Brown said. \u201cThat was something that prior to him getting here, especially us wanting to play fast and all that, having another guy, especially that is that quick or maybe is different in a way that kind of stands out \u2014 I don\u2019t know what that way would be \u2014 but Jose was available and I gotta give Leon [Rose] credit. He went out and got him.\u201d<\/p>\n Entering Wednesday\u2019s matchup, Alvarado averaged 8.0 points, 4.0 assists, 2.7 rebounds and 1.6 steals with the Knicks.<\/p>\n In just his second game with the team, a Feb. 11 road game against the Philadelphia 76ers, Alvarado erupted for 26 points, four assists and five steals in a 49-point blowout win.<\/p>\n The Brooklyn native seemingly solved Brown\u2019s need for a consistent backup floor general behind star Jalen Brunson.<\/p>\n Initially, Malcolm Brogdon was a strong candidate for the role but the veteran decided to retire before the Knicks\u2019 preseason finale.<\/a><\/p>\n