Pelica Debrief
Fansided

The 10 things we’ve learned about the New Orleans Pelicans through 10 games

By Willie Lutz

NEW ORLEANS, LA - NOVEMBER 11: JJ Redick #4 of the New Orleans Pelicans is helped up by his teammates during the game against the Houston Rockets on November 11, 2019 at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, 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 Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - NOVEMBER 11: JJ Redick #4 of the New Orleans Pelicans is helped up by his teammates during the game against the Houston Rockets on November 11, 2019 at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, 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 Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – NOVEMBER 08: Jrue Holiday #11 of the New Orleans Pelicans stands on the court during a NBA game against the Toronto Raptors at the Smoothie King Center on November 08, 2019 in New Orleans, 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. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – NOVEMBER 08: Jrue Holiday #11 of the New Orleans Pelicans stands on the court during a NBA game against the Toronto Raptors at the Smoothie King Center on November 08, 2019 in New Orleans, 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. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /

Jrue Holiday has lost a step, maybe more

Entering the year, many, including David Griffin, were looking on Jrue Holiday to step up as an All-NBA, or even MVP-level player for the New Orleans Pelicans. Instead, he’s looked a little slower and less effective than any season in recent memory.

Granted, he missed two games early in the season with knee soreness, but you’d have to assume Jrue is feeling alright if the team is playing him 35 minutes a night.

Jrue perhaps is looking out of sync with his new teammates, but there’s something in his game that just doesn’t reflect the player we’ve come to expect in New Orleans. His 14.6 points, 7.3 assists, and 5.4 rebounds don’t seem terrible, but his 12.1 PER hints at the bigger picture.

This season, the Pelicans are -10.3 with Holiday on the floor and are 12.3 better with him out of the lineup. He’s also averaging 2.9 turnovers, but they haven’t fallen on particularly forgivable plays.

Reflected best over the early season stretch by his 6 turnovers, all coming in the first half on Monday against the Houston Rockets.


He’s not finding the bottom of the net, or at least not making it look easy. He’s shooting a truly troubling 36.4% from the field and a red-alert 23.3% from three-point range.

Despite his poor touch from three this season, Holiday is still shooting 5.4 threes per contest, the same career-high volume he shot a season ago, still shooting a discouraging 33.2% clip from that range during the 2018-2019 season.

Once upon a time, Jrue Holiday attributed his staying with the New Orleans Pelicans to be almost entirely based on their contracting of Anthony Davis. Not playing well without AD in the fold, Holiday might find himself out of the Pelicans’ future plans.

All of this could be alleviated with the return of Zion Williamson. After all, Holiday’s had his best moments playing alongside another generational talent.

The New Orleans Pelicans REALLY need more out of Holiday if they want any shot to salvage this season. If he keeps playing as he has through 8 games, this team will not find a way to sustain winning.

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