The trio behind the New Orleans Pelicans' improbable playoff run

IT IS JUST after midnight when 2-year-old Nazanin Alvarado takes the podium with her dad, New Orleans Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado, following Sunday's Game 4 win over the Phoenix Suns.

Donning a white T-shirt that reads «My heart is on that court» and a pair of high pigtails, she begins the news conference in her dad's lap. As her dad awaits the first question, she grabs the mic, ready to address the media.

Before she can speak, Jose takes the mic back from her, ready on his own to discuss the team's 15-point victory over the conference's No. 1 seed. For approximately four seconds, Nazanin sits still. Then, she decides she's had enough and hops down, relocating to the back of the room as her dad attempts to answer the media's question.

Less than 30 seconds later, she's back at the podium, hoisted into her dad's lap with a giggle. Ten seconds later, she's off again.

«Hey, get her please,» Alvarado says to a family member, who is seated nearby. «Hey, no more running around.»

It's easy to see where she gets her energy. Her dad, now famous for his aggressive and swarming defense, had hounded the Suns on the court just minutes prior.

Alvarado is but one Pelicans rookie who has electrified the franchise this season. Undrafted, he was on a two-way contract until he received a four-year deal in March. Herbert Jones — a second-round pick — started 68 of 79 games and could sneak onto the NBA All-Defensive team this season. Their first-round pick, Trey Murphy III, led all rookies in three-point percentage this season among players who attempted at least 100 treys.

Brandon Ingram, CJ McCollum and coach Willie Green served as the foundation for New Orleans' resurgence. But the Pelicans could not have gone from 1-12 to open the season