Pelicans: Jose Alvarado putting up some eye-popping G-League numbers
The New Orleans Pelicans need to upgrade their bench and might have some players in the G-League who could help.
The Pels’ bench has been atrocious this season, highlighted by the struggles of veterans Tomas Satoransky and Garrett Temple, two players who were meant to bolster the bench when there were acquired in the lackluster Lonzo Ball trade.
Satoransky has been the biggest problem, as he refuses to shoot and when you see his numbers you know why, as he is hitting just 13 percent of his 3-point shots this season and really hasn’t contributed much on offense.
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That is why I suggested the Pelicans take a look at two-way player Jose Alvarado, as he can now play unlimited games with the Pels under the new rules and literally could not be worse than Satoransky.
In fact, Alvarado is putting up some eye-popping numbers in the G-League and his time might be coming soon.
New Orleans Pelicans: Jose Alvarado deserves a shot
I should first say that I put next to zero stock in G-League numbers, as the competition is closer to college than it is the NBA and just about every real NBA player would dominate.
Saben Lee, who can’t get off the bench for the NBA-worst Detroit Pistons, is leading the G-League in scoring and has a bunch of 40-point games, so take all of those stats with a grain of salt the size of Mount Everest.
It’s not that Alvarado scored 27 points last night, nor that he averages nearly 20 a game in the G-League with seven assists and 3.6 steals per game, it is how he is doing it.
Alvarado is hitting 42.9 percent of his 3-point shots in the G-League, which is surprising given that shooting is considered his biggest flaw.
He is known for his energy and defense, things the Pelicans could use, and for the ability to set up teammates with his penetration and passing, so if he can shoot at all, that is just a bonus.
Again, we can’t make too much out of G-League numbers, but with the way Satoransky is playing, the Pelicans could do a lot worse than to give Alvarado a shot.
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