How New York City Native Jose Alvarado Became An Unlikely Knicks’ Hero

BusinessSportsMoneyHow New York City Native Jose Alvarado Became An Unlikely Knicks’ HeroByTim Casey,Senior Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Tim Casey is a reporter who covers basketball and sports business.Follow AuthorJun 13, 2026, 05:00am EDTNEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 10: Jose Alvarado #5 of the New York Knicks shoots against Julian Champagnie #30 of the San Antonio Spurs in Game Four of the 2026 NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden on June 10, 2026 in New York City. 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. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)Getty ImagesJoe Arbitello had seen enough. Multiple times Wednesday night, he turned off the television in his home in the Howard Beach neighborhood of Queens, N.Y. Arbitello, the basketball coach at Christ the King High School in Queens, was sick of the San Antonio Spurs dominating the New York Knicks in Game 4 of the NBA finals. He didn’t even want to watch Jose Alvarado, a 6-foot Knicks point guard whom Arbitello coached a decade ago.These were the Knicks of old, a franchise that always seems to choke in the playoffs. Arbitello, who was born in 1977, has never seen the Knicks win a title. Soon, that drought may end, as the Knicks overcame a 29-point second half deficit to defeat the Spurs 107-106, take a three games to one lead and get to within one victory from their first championship in 53 years.As the Knicks came back in the second half, Arbitello received numerous messages, so he eventually put the TV on. He saw Alvarado score eight points in the fourth quarter, making an important contribution in a game that will long live in Knicks’ lore. When the cameras showed Alvarado sitting on the bench in the third quarter, Arbitello turned to his wife. At the time, Alvarado was scoreless and had played only a few minutes.“I said, ‘He’s...