New Orleans Pelicans Player of the Week: Jrue Holiday

Each week, I will choose one player to highlight as the New Orleans Pelicans Player of the Week. We’d love to hear your feedback, in the comments or on Twitter.

This week, I’ll be highlighting the play of Jrue Holiday, whose rebounded from a shaky start to become a reliable third option.

The New Orleans Pelicans re-signed Jrue Holiday to massive contract. At the beginning of the season it looked as if the Pelicans may have had a bit of buyers remorse. Now, Holiday is showing his worth game in and game out as he has hit his stride in December.

Now, unfortunately for the Pelicans Jrue’s improved play hasn’t led to an improvement in overall team success. We here at PelicanDebrief have highlighted how the Pelicans just can’t seem to take advantage of Jrue’s best games. In fact, Jrue has played like one of the best guards in the league during the month of December. He is averaging 22.8 ppg, while shooting 51 percent from the field and 43 percent from beyond the arc. Simply put, he’s been on fire, but despite the lofty numbers the Pelicans are an underwhelming 4-6 in the month, including bad overtime losses to the Kings and Nuggets. However, this is no indictment on the play of Holiday. He’s doing exactly what is needed of him, the results just are not translating yet.

But, they will.

Jrue’s raw scoring stats are impressive as a third option and when you factor in his defense, he is one of the better all-around guards in the league. While not one of the elite guards, his versatility and size allow him to care together a role in any system. The New Orleans Pelicans recognize that versatility and it’s helping Holiday find unique ways to score.

Here’s one example. Holiday showcases his excellent cutting ability by baiting the defender as if he wanted to iso. As soon as the defender steps up Holiday blows by him for any easy layup. Holiday finds easy baskets such as the one above at least once per game. The fact that DeMarcus Cousins and Anthony Davis draw so much attention helps draws rim protectors away from the basket.

Despite the panic about Jrue’s play early he’s now on pace for the most efficient scoring season of his career. He has a true shooting percentage of 56 percent, the highest mark of his career. This is attributed to his 64 percent field goal percentage within 10 ft, where he’s generating 47 percent of his attempts from. Holiday is relishing his off-ball freedom and it is showcasing itself in the stats.

Next: MythBusting “The Rondo Effect”

As mentioned earlier it has yet to translate into wins, but that will work itself out. The law of averages will play itself out but the important thing has been discovered. The New Orleans Pelicans have finally found a way for Holiday to work with Cousins and Davis. That will eventually translate itself into wins, hopefully sooner rather than later.