Holiday had a good season averaging 15 points and 8 assists per game shooting 45% from the field and 35% from the three point line. He takes the majority of his shots at the rim and from the 3 point line. He shoots well at the rim and has a decent mid range game. The thing to like about Jrue Holiday is that he does not force his offense and takes good shots. He gets to the rim and gets a lot of assists by drawing the defense and kicking out to shooters. His playmaking opportunities took a hit after the Cousins trade. Cousins likes to sometimes bring the ball up and run things from the top of the key. Despite that, Holiday still averaged 7 assists per game after the Cousins trade. With the addition of Rajon Rondo this offseason, Holiday may take more of a hit to his playmaking opportunities. He can still be effective, but Holiday seems to be at his best when he has the ball.
In terms of his playtype statistics on Synergy, Holiday's offensive possessions were mostly made up of pick and rolls. 50% of his offensive possessions were in the pick and roll. He rated out decently in the 55th percentile. Among the 15 players in the NBA with at least 8 pick and rolls per game, he was the worst. Holiday rated out very well in isolation situations and with his size he is able to take advantage of smaller point guards. He scored 1.05 points per possession in isolations, good enough to be in the 88th percentile. As a spot up threat Holiday is not great, but he is serviceable. He shoots the three well enough, although according to nba.com/stats he shot better when pulling up off the dribble as opposed to catching and shooting. Offensively, Holiday has a lot of skills that make him a very good basketball player, but it is hard to see how they fit with what the Pelicans are doing. He is good with the ball in his hands, but Cousins likes to be the facilitator on offense. He is not a great spot up player, but with the addition of Rondo, he might have loads of minutes as a spot up player.
Defensively, Holiday has the ability to guard 1-3 depending on the matchup. He has long arms and he is quick enough to stay with point guards and strong enough to stick 3's. The Pelicans may have trouble scoring, but they have some good defenders on the roster. Holiday may have minutes playing with Tony Allen. Although Allen is older, he can still get into guys. Holiday defends the pick and roll well and he is a monster one on one defender. He brings a great deal to the table defensively and the Pelicans should be able to continue with their defensive prowess of last season, where they rated out as the 9th best defense according to defensive rating.
Jrue Holiday is a good player, but he does not seem to fit with this Pelicans team. He is a good point guard to have on your team and he provides you with solid offense and good defense. He is not a lights out shooter, but he can make plays and get to the rim. He is a steady point guard that does not take many bad shots. He is also making 25 million dollars a year this season and it will be tough to move him if it does not work out. I am not sure what to make of the Pelicans, but moving forward they have to find players that can fit with Jrue Holiday if he is going to reach his full potential with the team. With the signings of Rajon Rondo and Tony Allen this offseason, the Pelicans have assembled a back court that does not possess one knockdown shooter. Rondo and Holiday both need the ball and Allen is not an ideal player to pair with non shooting guards. If the Pelicans allow Cousins to facilitate from the top of the key you are not spacing the floor with any pairing of Rondo, Holiday, or Allen. I am just not sure how this works. Holiday is good and he could be much better if given the chance to play with teammates that fit with his strengths and help hide his weaknesses, but so would every player in the league.