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NEW ORLEANS, LA - APRIL 28: Jose Alvarado #15 of the New Orleans Pelicans plays defense on Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns during Round 1 Game 6 of the 2022 NBA Playoffs on April 28, 2022 at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images)Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images

Pelicans' Jose Alvarado Vows to Win Defensive Player of the Year: 'Mark My Word'

Scott PolacekMay 5, 2022

All Jose Alvarado did during his first season in the NBA is go from undrafted free agent playing on a two-way deal to someone with a four-year contract hounding Chris Paul in the playoffs.

The New Orleans Pelicans guard isn't setting limits on what he can do as his career continues, as one of his goals is to win the Defensive Player of the Year award:

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Anyone who watched the Pelicans push the top-seeded Phoenix Suns to six games in the first round would be hard-pressed to argue with him. He came off the bench in all six contests and consistently changed the energy with full-court pressure and persistent defense on Paul and Co.

Alvarado averaged 1.2 steals in just 19.5 minutes per game in that playoff series.

If he can continue his trajectory in a larger role as he becomes more accustomed to the NBA level, a Defensive Player of the Year could be in his sights.