SAN ANTONIO — A Dream Fulfilled
When Jose Alvarado found out he was headed back home, he couldn’t hold back the tears.
His parents felt the same wave of emotion.
At that moment, they had no idea that the point guard from Brooklyn’s Christ the King High School would contribute to the Knicks’ first NBA Finals appearance in nearly three decades.
“Honestly, I can’t put it into words. I feel blessed,” he shared just before the NBA Finals opener against the Spurs at Frostbank Center. “This isn’t just a dream; I never expected to play for the Knicks or make it to the Finals. But here I am, and I’m thrilled. I’m a city kid living my dream.”
Growing up, Alvarado cheered for the Knicks, and he can barely imagine the energy in New York if they finally break their 53-year championship drought. It’s been wild already, with Knicks fans filling arenas in places like Atlanta, Philadelphia, and Cleveland.
“The vibe is always incredible,” he noted. “It’s just very New York.”
The Knicks brought Alvarado into the fold through a trade to bolster their backcourt in February, especially with Miles McBride dealing with an injury. He slipped out of the rotation as the regular season wrapped up, but quickly found his footing back as Jalen Brunson’s backup when the playoffs kicked off.
During the playoffs, he averaged 4.2 points and 1.1 assists, proving to be an asset for the second unit. His relentless pressure defense and high energy meshed perfectly with the team’s gritty style.
“There was a reason they picked me,” he explained. “If we’re all working together defensively, fitting in becomes easier. We recognize that our defense is key to winning games, or at least keeping us in them, and right now, we’re executing at a high level.”
Even before joining the Knicks, Alvarado beat the odds. He was an overlooked high school talent at Christ the King in Queens and went undrafted despite an impressive stint at Georgia Tech. Now, he’s on the NBA’s grandest stage.
“What always occupies my thoughts is my journey,” said Alvarado, who stands at just 6 feet tall. That’s unconventional in the NBA.
“Just keep pushing forward. This story is far from over. I want to keep adding to it and inspire others. Don’t let anyone convince you that you can’t achieve your dreams. I’m living proof of that.”
