SAN ANTONIO — When Jose Alvarado found out he was coming home, he was so happy that tears ran down his cheeks.
His parents had the same reaction.
Little did they know at the time that the point guard from Brooklyn and Christ the King High School would be part of the Knicks’ first trip to the NBA Finals in 27 years.
“It’s really something I can’t put in words. I’m blessed,” he said on the eve of the NBA Finals opener against the Spurs at Frost Bank Center. “I can’t even say it’s a dream, I never thought about being in the finals playing for the Knicks. But I’m here, I’m extremely excited. I’m a kid from the city living a dream.”
Alvarado rooted for the Knicks growing up. He can’t even imagine what the city would be like if they end their 53-year championship drought. It’s already been off the charts during this run, Knicks fans taking over opposing arenas in Atlanta, Philadelphia and Cleveland.
“The atmosphere is always going to be amazing,” he said. “That’s just New York.”
The Knicks traded for Alvarado in early February as backcourt depth with Miles McBride sidelined due to injury. Alvarado fell out of the rotation late in the regular season, but regained his role as Jalen Brunson’s backup early in the postseason.
He has become a key part of the second unit, averaging 4.2 points and 1.1 assists in the playoffs. Most importantly, his pressure defense and nonstop energy has fit in well with this gritty group.
“They got me for a reason,” he said. “It’s something that’s easy to be a part of, when everybody is on the same page defensively. That’s what we are, we know defense can win us games or at least give us a chance, and that’s what we do at a high level.”
Even before landing with the Knicks, Alvarado had already beaten the odds. He was an underrated high school prospect at Christ the King in Queens, then went undrafted despite a strong career at Georgia Tech. Now, after earning his way into the league with the Pelicans, he is on the biggest stage of basketball.
“I always think of [my journey]. I want to try to continue the story,” the 6-foot Alvarado said. “You’re a reporter — I’m your height. That’s not really normal in the NBA.
“Just keep doing what I’m doing, man. The story is not over and I just want to continue writing it and give everybody hope. Don’t say nobody can’t do it. I am living proof.”
