Any interplay developed between the two should allow the team as a whole to make a big stride. Whenever Zion Williamson gets back on the court, which could still be a couple of weeks away, the pressure should be, to some extent, relieved from Jrue Holiday.
While Holiday isn’t shy to pressure, he does have something of shy disposition in general. There was simply always going to be an adjustment for Jrue, who’s never been asked to be the leading man on an NBA team in his career. Until a trade sent Davis to the Los Angeles Lakers this offseason, Holiday enjoyed life away from the leading role but played really high-quality basketball alongside one of the very best players in the game. However, Griffin put a lot of pressure on Jrue to not only be a leader for this team or to make a run at an All-NBA team but restated multiple times his belief that Holiday could make a push for the MVP come time for award season.
Jrue Holiday might not have a lot to say and will never be one to feed the media juicy quotes, but at this point, folks should’ve come to expect the New Orleans Pelicans star to be that guy.īefore the season, Executive VP of Basketball Operations David Griffin told media members plenty of times that the club wanted to keep Jrue despite moving on from Anthony Davis. Knowing youth would always be a factor, Jrue Holiday is starting to lead by example, probably the best method for the quiet warrior. Granted, he is the team’s highest-paid player, as he signed a five-year, $126 million extension just two years ago. With plenty of miles seemingly left in the tank for the 29-year-old guard, the Pelicans continue to trust him with the future of the franchise. Holiday looks increasingly clever at navigating defenses in general as the season progresses, a welcome sign for the Pelicans. Jrue weaving through all kinds of traffic gets it to go! /mHUtxcnqjY Seemingly playing his way out of a slump, one that could’ve easily been caused by the left knee sprain that held him out for a pair of games to start the year, Jrue Holiday mostly back on track. Averaging 3.5 turnovers per game, his highest rate in a Pelicans uniform, Holiday is averaging 5.2 turnovers over the last five games. While Jrue is getting better in a ton of areas as the season progresses, he continues to be way too sloppy with the basketball.
Over the last three games, as the Pelicans have been without Lonzo, Holiday is shooting 45.8% from the field and 56.3% from three, averaging 24 points, 6.7 assists, and 3 steals. The shot selection to start the year was pretty poor, but as the year wears on, Holiday is getting more looks from three and around the rim. Jrue struggled to find the bottom of the net early in the season, however, which is why he’s shooting 39.4% from the floor and 32.2% from three to start the year. He’s averaging 17.2 points, 7.1 assists, 5.1 rebounds, and 2.2 steals per contest.
The counting stats on Holiday have looked fine. Perhaps it has something to do with Lonzo Ball dealing with an adductor injury that’s keeping him out of the line-up, thus granting Holiday more touches. Granted, they’ll still have to play 68 more games after tonight. Winners of three of their last five games, the Pelicans are playing much better basketball, just as their leading man Jrue Holiday finds his footing.įinally trending in the right direction, Holiday and the rest of the Pelicans have navigated a ton of injuries to key players to get to a 4-9 record that puts them just two games out of the Western Conference Playoffs. By Willie Lutz 3 years ago Early season slumps bogged down preseason expectations, but Jrue Holiday is finally getting in a groove, a huge turn for the New Orleans Pelicans season.Īfter starting the season in what one could only describe as ugly for both Jrue Holiday and the New Orleans Pelicans as a whole, there’s a lot more to feel good about for the Big Easy’s basketball squad.
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