New Orleans Pelicans: Fourth Term Report Cards
By Seth Nefsky
Jrue Holiday: B+
I put out an article about a week ago, in which I made Holiday’s All-NBA case, which has been somewhat dismissed by non-Pelicans fans. However, this term has once again shown why Holiday deserves to be thought of as a legitimate All-NBA player. This term, the Pelicans have improved by 12.8 points per 100 possessions with Holiday on the floor, as his defense and offense have been spectacular. On defense, you cannot find many guards better than him. Holiday’s defense has a -5.8% effect on shooters’ field goal percentages, and he has put up 1.8 steals per game. And without him on the floor, the Pels defense falls apart.
Offensively, Holiday has put up a 30.5% assist percentage this term, 8.2% higher than in previous terms, and has shot 37.1% from three. However, if I were to criticize Holiday on one thing, it would be his decreased free throw rate. Plain and simple, Holiday’s free throw rate has decreased from 20.1% in the last three terms, to 16% this term. Despite more drives per game, Holiday’s free throw shortage is due to his settling for more shots out of the restricted area, taking 2.8 of these inside the key, outside of the restricted area shots per game before this term, but taking 4.6 per game in this term. Not only are these shots lower percentage, but they also lead to less free throws.
Nevertheless, a great term for Holiday, to conclude his great season.