The New Orleans Pelicans sustained a tough loss against the Kings on Friday. Some of that loss was due to the effort, some due to focus. But what was slightly unnoticed was the Pelicans look of confusion offensively. They had zero rhythm down the stretch and struggled to create anything easy. Whether any of that was due to Rajon Rondo resting is unknown. No matter the reason, NOLA’s execution lacked heavily. Less complicated, simplified tasks could help the Pelicans immensely. One underrated method involves Jrue Holiday.
Close your eyes and think about the current NBA guard. The pick and roll accompanied by “space and pace” should come to mind.
Gone are the days where guards are able or willing to consistently operate with their backs to the basket. A handful can but don’t as often as maybe their talent might suggest.
Most that were capable in the past, chose the post up out of necessity. For example, a guy like Andre Miller added a post game to make up for his lack of long-range shooting. Miller got stronger, more skilled, and became just as problematic as any sharpshooter. His ability to operate like players twice his size offset the problems that poor spacing guards normally bring. It’s one of the reasons Miller was able to play for almost 17 years.
Dwyane Wade has a similar story to Miller, just a more athletic one. Wade also has never been much of a threat from deep. His elite post-up game, however, is one of many traits that has never allowed him to be a liability offensively. Not to mention he’s one of the greatest shooting guards of all time.
There’s also a player like Chauncey Billups who could play equally inside as he could from the perimeter. Billups just knew the advantages he had posting up smaller guards. Legends like Micheal Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and Magic Johnson were the greatest of their respective eras.
In other words, they simply chose to post up as guards, as whatever the hell they focused on, they became great at. The game MJ, Kobe, (for most of his career), and Magic played in was easily different from today’s game. The players are bigger, faster, more athletic, and the elite teams have higher scoring philosophies.
That brings us to the New Orleans Pelicans, who are as much of an old-school team as you’ll find. While their big men aren’t by any means traditional or old school, the overall roster structure is. Two elite big-men, a floor general, and a roster filled with players that only have one job to do at a time.
And then we have Jrue Holiday.
For all the criticism about Holiday, he’s played well as of late. In particular, since Rajon Rondo has returned from injury he has averaged 19.4 points per game. While his rebounds, defense, and assists are important as well they are not as important as an aggressive Holiday scoring the basketball.
As good as he’s been, he can be even better.
An attacking Holiday opens the floor for many players to do what comes naturally to them. A stale and stagnant Holiday normally is followed by an iso offense, a low percentage shot, or a turnover. That’s mainly why Rondo has been so important because it allows Holiday to run off the ball and forcefully attack.
One issue with Holiday is that he’s fairly passive, similarly to Anthony Davis. He has to be reminded of his gifts and unique talent. His talent and personality allow his defensive and unselfish nature to shine every night. As for offensively, he has to be put in a position to attack by his coach or teammates.
When forced to freestyle, Holiday has a tendency of thinking too much. This often leads to unbalanced step-back shots or turnovers. As intelligent as Holiday is, simplifying the game for him does wonders.
That leads us to the post.
When given a clear agenda, Holiday can change the Pelicans completely. They become less predictable and more dynamic. This also allows Holiday to use his natural gifts more, and worry less about others.
Holiday possesses rare strength and balance for his size. At 205 pounds he has the weight to back down guards on offense and stifle big men on defense. In fact, his post defense alone deserves an article.
Not many guards can defend bigger guys in the post as well as Jrue Holiday. Really hard to move.
— Zach Lowe (@ZachLowe_NBA) October 29, 2017
Holiday is equipped with a smooth touch and feel around the rim that some centers don’t possess. He’s also extremely aware of his surroundings like a quarterback in the pocket when pressure is near. Holiday not having a single turnover in the post can help speak to that.
In addition to Holiday’s instincts, watch how he seals his defender off perfectly. This makes it easier for him to catch and have an easy decisive finish at the basket. Notice how Holiday gains a favorable position each time.
People criticized former Pels head coach Monty Williams for being too redundant and predictable. The point could be made that current coach Alvin Gentry is too complicated. If something is working, at a high level, why not continue to use it?
The numbers show that Holiday is 8 for 10 posting up this season. This is slightly remarkable as the Pistons’ Andre Drummond has only made 11 post field goals himself. In limited attempts, Holiday is also tied or superior to several household names in that category. That list includes John Wall, Kyrie Irving, DeAndre Jordan, and Ben Simmons.
None of those guys are necessarily wizards (sorry John Wall) in the post but with their size and ability, Holiday’s ranking is impressive. And that’s not even where the Holiday fun ends surprisingly.
Holiday’s post up scoring frequency (81%) and his effective field goal percentage (80%) ranks first out of players with at least 10 attempts inside. That’s an advantage the Pelicans simply have to attack more often. If used correctly, it should raise hell for an opposing team. Especially when trying to gameplan for New Orleans.
No one is expecting Jrue Holiday to turn into Hakeem Olajuwon overnight. We’ve only seen a small sample size but given Holiday’s success so far, and his career low 29% from three, more post-ups won’t hurt. Christmas is coming up soon, so everyone is in the Holiday spirit. When it comes to Jrue Holiday, Pelicans fans should want that spirit in the post.