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Pelicans Fans Should Not Worry About Seeing A Massive Drop-Off In Production From Jrue Holiday This Season

By Mark Nilon

PORTLAND, OR - APRIL 17: Jrue Holiday #11 of the New Orleans Pelicans goes up for a dunk against the Portland Trail Blazers in Game Two of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 17, 2018 at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR - APRIL 17: Jrue Holiday #11 of the New Orleans Pelicans goes up for a dunk against the Portland Trail Blazers in Game Two of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 17, 2018 at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Jrue Holiday saw a sensational year in 2017-18. With career bests across the board, the hype train now rolls into next season for Holiday to continue this level of play. Though the team lost Rajon Rondo, a major catalyst in the nine-year veteran’s career year, fans should possess little doubt that they’ll see a drop off in his production during this upcoming campaign.

In his first year playing off the ball at the two-guard, Jrue Holiday proved to be stellar. He received NBA All-Defensive First Team honors to go along with a career high in points, rebounds and three-point percentage. He also showed to the masses he could hang with the “big boy’s” residing in other teams backcourts, specifically in regard to the Pelicans first round matchup against the Portland Trailblazers where Holiday, going up against perennial All-Star Damian Lillard and über talented CJ McCollum, was simply the best guard on the floor.

In 36.1 MPG the 28-year-old put up 19.0 PPG, 6.0 APG, 4.5 RPG and 1.5 SPG while shooting 34% from deep. He played in 81 games for the second time in his career and helped guide his team to the second round of the postseason.

A big reason for his 2017-18 success was due to the presence of veteran point guard Rajon Rondo. In every season prior, Holiday was relied upon to be his teams primary ball handler. Though he has proven to be a solid option at the one (2013 NBA All-Star), his skill set has always been more suited for the two. With the addition of Rondo, he was finally able to line up at the shooting guard position. Because of the change to shooting guard, coupled with the addition of Rondo, he achieved wonders.

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Unfortunately for the Pelicans, Rondo decided to head to “La La Land” and inked a deal with the Lakers. With the fact that he played such a key role in Holiday’s successes last season, fans are now worried they’ll see a significant regression in his play. It’s a legitimate concern to have. However, don’t expect this fear to become a reality.

Though the team lost Rondo, they managed to find a replacement with a very similar skill set – Elfrid Payton. He’s a ball dominant point guard who loves to create scoring opportunities for his teammates. He will gladly take over ball handling duties and let Holiday navigate his way on the court like he did last year. With this addition, it’s safe to say the shooting guard’s role on the team will remain the same which, in turn, should keep fans upbeat.

Will Rondo’s presence be missed next season for the New Orleans Pelicans? Of course! What he brought to the table with leadership and basketball IQ is rivaled by few others. However, even with this, his departure should not effect Holiday too much, if at all.

Next: Elfrid Payton Poised For A Career Year In New Orleans

He’s coming off the best season of his career. Now, coming into 2018-19, the veteran has confidence on his side. Don’t expect a major drop-off in production from Holiday this season.

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