Jose Alvarado is apparently the next Stephen Curry. Just like the superstar from the Golden State Warriors, the New Orleans Pelicans rookie is having an impact on how young hoopers play the game. Instead of doing it with shooting, he did it with his defense.

Jeff Willis, an assistant coach from the University of Northwestern Ohio men's basketball team, tweeted that he saw dozens of AAU players try Alvarado's trick of hiding in the corner and stealing the ball on the inbounds pass before it was even the late afternoon. He suggested that it had ruined AAU basketball but the Pelicans guard suggested otherwise.

Alvarado's propensity for stealing the ball earned him the nickname “Grand Theft Alvarado” and made him a favorite among Pelicans fans. His staunch defense made him a pest to play against, as Chris Paul certainly learned during the NBA playoffs. The Pheonix Suns' star was hounded relentlessly and agitated by Alvarado's defensive intensity. New Orleans was a major beneficiary of his willingness to do the dirty work.

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Alvarado was one of the stellar Pelicans rookies who contributed to their surprising playoff run. The undrafted, undersized point guard averaged 6.1 points and 2.8 assists in 15.1 minutes per game last season. His defense made him a key player for a New Orleans squad that also featured Herb Jones, one of the best defensive rookies in recent memory.

With players like Zion Williamson, CJ Mccollum and Brandon Ingram leading the way, the Pelicans will need all the tough defenders they can find. Jose Alvarado is the perfect type of player for that role.