Multiple Pelicans are making a major impact at the Olympics
For basketball fans, the Olympics officially began this past weekend, when the first games of Group Play took place. More specifically, for Pelicans fans, Daniel Theis and Germany began play on Saturday, while Jose Alvarado and Puerto Rico began play on Sunday. Germany was able to win each of their first two Olympic games, while Puerto Rico has taken two big losses. But for New Orleans and its fanbase, the performances of Theis and Alvarado have been more than encouraging for the team.
Theis and Germany's Group B consists of uber-sized France, Japan, Brazil, and themselves. A rather manageable group, Germany has a chance to make it out of Group Play and advance forward. The same cannot be said for Alvarado and Puerto Rico, who's fate lies in Group C. A group consisting of Team USA, South Sudan, and Serbia, Puerto Rico has arguably by far the least amount of NBA success on it. However, that hasn't stopped Jose Alvarado from playing his best brand of basketball.
Daniel Theis has played his role to perfection
Game one of the Olympics was a masterclass by the veteran big man. Against the Rui Hachimura-led Japan team, Theis finished with 18 points on 100 percent (7-7, including two threes), adding seven rebounds, a steal, and no fouls in the 97-77 win. Theis controlled the game from the paint defensively, but also played a contributing factor on the offensive floor in the win.
In game two, Theis did not fill the stat sheet as effectively but did his part in an 86-73 win over Brazil. Six points, six rebounds, and two blocks across 23 minutes helped lead Germany to another victory. Next awaits a clash with the Victor Wembanyama-led France squad. Alongside him in the frontcourt is Rudy Gobert, creating a dynamic defensive duo that will give Germany trouble. If the Germans want to win their group, Theis will need to have a big game.
Jose Alvarado must mirror his game one performance versus Team USA
Jose Alvarado's Olympics hasn't gone as smoothly as fellow Pelican Daniel Theis, but the biggest team for the Pelicans backup point guard will take place on August 3 versus Team USA. Alvarado set the Olympic basketball world ablaze with his 26 point effort in a 90-79 loss to South Sudan. Alvarado suffered an injury to his right ankle just before halftime of the game, but returned in the second half to display a remarkable performance.
Whether it was the ankle or new opponent, Alvarado couldn't replicate his game one performance versus Serbia. With Nikola Jokic and Bogdan Bogdanovic, Serbia is equipped to compete in every game solely because of Jokic. Finishing with 14 points, 15 rebounds, and nine assists, Jokic became the first player in Olympics history to record at least 10 points, 15 rebounds, and five assist in a single game. While his dominance stifled Puerto Rico, Alvarado's performance equally hurt the team.
Alvarado finished with just two points, making one of six shots in the 107-66 beatdown Serbia handed them. With Team USA next, Alvarado will need an otherworldly performance to give his team a fighting chance against the 'Avengers' of the United States of America. Nearly all of the NBA's best players on one team makes the task of defeating them beyond difficult.
Theis and Alvarado have both been bright spots to their team's success (or lack thereof) in the Olympics thus far. While Theis has the only realistic path to competing for a gold medal, Alvarado and Puerto Rico is going down swinging and can't be overlooked. Of course, health is the utmost priority for New Orleans in this Olympic run, but seeing their depth play so well only increases optimism for the upcoming season.