With just one preseason game remaining, the New Orleans Pelicans have found their identity

One of Joe Dumars’ biggest focuses since taking over the New Orleans Pelicans’ front office has been establishing a culture and identity. Last night against the Houston Rockets, the culture and identity were in full force. We saw the Pelicans come to embody the “us vs. the world” mentality made famous during Dumars’ playing days for the Bad Boy Detroit Pistons team of the 80s/90s.

Dumars previously discussed how he handled it, asking each player if they were in or out, and if they wanted to be in New Orleans or not. According to him, everyone is all in. When you have that kind of commitment and togetherness, it will bring a group closer together and raise the ceiling.

The Pelicans played sloppy, tough and brought energy on defense against one of the league’s best offenses in the 120-118 preseason loss.

The moment in this game that established the culture and strength of this group was midway through the second quarter, when Amen Thompson and Jose Alvarado got into an argument. During a rebound opportunity the two were fighting over, Thompson hit Alvarado slightly and they both fell to the ground and had to be separated.

Although Alvarado, at 6-foot-1, is much smaller than Thompson, who is 6-foot-1, he didn’t flinch at all. A preseason scuffle is something you look back on at the end of the season as a moment that set the tone for the year.

Jose Alvarado’s importance is at an all-time high in the Joe Dumars era

This offseason, I was skeptical about whether Alvarado would fit into this team, especially long-term, as the additions of Jeremiah Fears and Jordan Poole had crowded the team’s waiting room. But my skepticism has disappeared now that I see how he has played this season.

Since head coach Willie Green and president Dumars are both defensive guys who want this team to play with strength and grit, there’s no better spot at the backup point guard spot than Alavrado. His willingness to put his body on the line by diving for loose balls or taking the lead not only fits the identity of this team, but also exemplifies winning basketball.

While he may not have more than a decade of NBA experience or an NBA championship under his belt, Alvarado is the perfect veteran presence you want on a young team like this. The 27-year-old wants to win in every way possible, and he shows that in his play, game in and game out.