Pelica Debrief
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New Orleans Pelicans: Why the team will go over the Vegas win total

By Steven Balkos

METAIRIE, LA - JULY 16: Derrick Favors #22, Lonzo Ball #2, Josh Hart #3, and Brandon Ingram #14 of the New Orleans Pelicans pose for a photo at the introductory press conference on July 16, 2019 at Ochsner Sports Performance Center in Metairie, Louisiana. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch Jr./NBAE via Getty Images
METAIRIE, LA - JULY 16: Derrick Favors #22, Lonzo Ball #2, Josh Hart #3, and Brandon Ingram #14 of the New Orleans Pelicans pose for a photo at the introductory press conference on July 16, 2019 at Ochsner Sports Performance Center in Metairie, Louisiana. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch Jr./NBAE via Getty Images /
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New Orleans Pelicans Jrue Holiday
(Photo by Yong Teck Lim/Getty Images) /

Jrue Holiday – The Forgotten Leader

While Jrue Holiday may not be the flashiest name currently playing in the NBA, there is no denying the unique skillset that he carries on both ends of the floor. Holiday, 28 years of age, is coming off a career season in which he had a career-high in points (21.2ppg), rebounds (5.0rpg) and minutes (35.9). He averaged 7.7 assists on the season which was the third highest assist total of his career and also shot the ball at a clip of 47 percent on the season according to Basketball-Reference.com.

His 1.6 steals tied for his career high as Jrue took a huge leap in his defensive abilities last season. Jrue having multiple years under his belt in the Big Easy brings a lead by example approach and puts in relentless effort in order for the team to win basketball games. Entering the prime of his career at age 28, expect Jrue to take another leap now leading a young Pelicans team through a journey of growth and development. This Pelicans team has plenty of scoring ability which will only help Jrue’s assist output along with having more opportunities to push the ball as the lead guard in transition and find young, athletic teammates such as Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram to finish in flow. When comparing Jrue’s stat line to that of Kyrie Irving last season (23.8 pts, 5.0 reb, 6.9 ast, 49 percent shooting) you can see why Holiday can be viewed as one of the most underrated players in the league, and should have a lucrative contract on his way soon.

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