The 2022 NBA playoffs have been anything but a cakewalk for the Phoenix Suns, though they have taken back the lead in their first-round series against the New Orleans Pelicans. Chris Paul shined as he helped the Devin Booker-less Suns take a 3-2 advantage but he has yet to shake himself free of Jose Alvarado, the undrafted Pelicans rookie whose job is to stick to ball-handlers like white on rice.

Paul received a technical foul after Alvarado forced him into an eight-second violation for the second game in a row. Suffice to say that the Pelicans' backup is doing his job just right. The Suns' legendary floor general still had a strong Game 5 but will have to be on the watch for Alvarado as the series heads back to New Orleans.

Paul seemed to have gotten some revenge against Alvarado for his antics, though it's much more than what Alvarado has been doing to him. He raised his foot on a fadeaway jumper and kicked the Pelicans' youngster in the privates.

Alvarado's role is to be a pest off the bench and disrupt offenses by being as gritty and up-close as possible. He is the sneakiest defender of the Pelicans' rookies, a group that features Herb Jones and Trey Murphy III. The Suns have the upper hand despite them, but it has not been easy.

The two guards may have different skills and are on vastly different standings as players but the Chris Paul-Jose Alvarado squabble is one of the most entertaining rivalries in this year's NBA playoffs. The Pelicans will have to bring their A-game in Game 6 against the Suns to keep the rivalry going for one more game.