Jose Alvarado Just Arrived In New York, And He's Already Getting Along With Jalen Brunson

After spending four and a half seasons with a perennial cellar dweller, Jose Alvarado has arrived on the grand stage of New York City. The defensive stalwart has plenty of work to do in order to integrate himself within the Knicks’ system, and from the looks of it, Alvarado is wasting no time.

A viral clip from Sunday afternoon shows Alvarado having a conversation with Knicks superstar Jalen Brunson as they warmed up for their game against the Boston Celtics. In this candid moment, the newest guard in town was asking Brunson some important questions.

“When we get into the game together, where do you want the ball, mostly?” Alvarado asked Brunson. “How do you like it?... [I want to] make it easier for you.”

Interestingly, Brunson brushed off the question, opting instead to give advice to his backup point guard. “Most importantly, I just want you to play,” the three-time All-Star replied as he warmed up his lower body. “When you play, you play smart, whatever you gotta do. You’ll see.”

If this brief chit-chat is any indication of things to come, Alvarado should be just fine as he follows Brunson’s lead. Since arriving in New York, Brunson has emerged as one of the finest court generals in the league, hitting big shots time and time again to help the Knicks become a force to be reckoned with.

As dominant as Brunson is, he’ll need all the support he can get in the postseason. Though Alvarado is no volume scorer, he is poised to make a difference on the defensive end. For years, the former New Orleans Pelicans guard entertained fans with his pickpocketing ways, blindsiding ball handlers with steals in the backcourt.

In the playoffs, a steal or two could swing momentum and have major implications for an entire series. For five years, Alvarado has let his skillful hands loose on a team that struggled to remain relevant in the Western Conference. Now, he has a chance to make an impact for a team that’s in a good position to reach a second consecutive conference final.

Why wouldn’t he? Alvarado has Brunson’s blessing to just play. He’ll see.