Currently deprived of their star Giannis Antetokounmpo and other elements that matter in their collective, the Bucks need players who step-up in order to keep the pace of the best teams in the East. And that, Jrue Holiday understood immediately, he who has been a hit since Freak’s absence. Back on the boy’s last ten days.
Jrue Holiday did not have a dream start to the season this year. Still, it had started like a dream, with the champion ring on his finger and the banner on the ceiling of the Fiserv Forum. Except that from the opening match against the Nets, the leader of the reigning champions had to join the infirmary for a sore ankle. As a result, Jrue Vacances missed six of his team’s next seven games and logically needed a little time to regain his rhythm. Since then, we can say that the rhythm, he found it well. More than that even, because the friend Holiday behaves squarely as a franchise player for a few matches in the absence of the last MVP of the Finals Giannis Antetokounmpo. Placed in the COVID protocol on December 15, the Freak missed the last five outings of the Deers. Jrue’s stats over the period? 28.5 points, 5 rebounds, 9 assists and 2 steals on average, 56.5% shooting including 35% parking, all in four games (Jrue did not play against Cleveland on December 18, cause: a well-deserved rest). In the lot, there was in particular this explosion of 40 pawns against his former team of New Orleans, two bosses double-doubles (26 points – 14 assists against Indiana, 24 points – 10 assists against Houston), and a 24-7-7 outing last night against Dallas. The collective record of the Bucks over these four games is three wins for one loss despite other important absences in addition to Giannis, like Khris Middleton (three games missed out of the last five) and Bobby Portis (out for four meetings) .
“He’s got an incredible poise, calm and confidence. He reads the game well and very often makes the right choice. I think his leadership is really meaningful no matter who is there. But it reaches yet another level on a night like this. “
– Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer on Jrue Holiday, after the meeting against the Pacers (victory without Giannis and Middleton)
Even if he is rather used to evolving in the shadows, Jrue Holiday proves once again that he is not afraid of the light. Become the missing piece of the Bucks’ puzzle championship last year, Holiday is reminding everyone how much he can weigh on both sides of the pitch when he’s got more offensive responsibilities on his shoulders. Scoring, playmaking, and always there to do a big job in defense, Jrue is currently playing at a level that brings him closer to the very best players in the NBA. Bar point. You are going to tell us that the sample is small, and you are right, but it is enough to show that Jrue is still one of the references in his position, even when Giannis takes center stage. So clearly, Holiday should not be forgotten in the discussions concerning a potential participation in the next All-Star Game in Cleveland. Even if he does not have crazy stats for the entire season (17.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, 6.6 assists, 1.5 interceptions), the real ones know. FYI, Jrue Vacances has only participated in the All-Star Game once during his career, it was in 2013 when he was still playing for the Sixers. Suffice to say that it dates a little, and his CV really deserves a little update when we know the value of the man.
When Giannis returns to the courts, and it should not be long any longer knowing that he entered the COVID protocol ten days ago, Jrue Holiday should logically find his Freak lieutenant costume. However, with a Jrue in such good form, the Bucks may be even more formidable in early 2022. They had a somewhat complicated start to the season with all their absences, but the reigning champions took the second from mid-November to quietly regain the podium of the Eastern Conference with an overall record of 21 wins and 13 losses. . And when you dig a little deeper, a particularly interesting stat is revealed and has something to freak out the competition: with Giannis, Jrue and Middleton on the field, Milwaukee has won 13 of its 15 games. Yes, 13-2 with a full Big Three, so be careful because the defending champions seem to be able to engage the steamroller mode at any time. Especially with such a strong Jrue Holiday …
No Giannis? No Middleton? Ok no problem, Jrue Holiday has the shoulders to keep the Deers on the right track. He who has often been underestimated shows that he can turn into a real boss when necessary and that is the mark of the greats.
