New Orleans Pelicans point guard Elfrid Payton is coming back from injury. Having a true point guard in Payton will help the offense immensely. Head coach Alvin Gentry has even mentioned how his return will really benefit their guard Jrue Holiday.
Gentry said Jrue Holiday will be a major beneficiary of Payton returning, not only to allow him to play off ball but hopefully limit his minutes.
— Scott Kushner (@ScottDKushner) December 31, 2018
Jrue Holiday is a much more effective player off the ball. Yes, he can and did run the point guard spot in Payton's absence. Holiday is so effective as a spot-up shooter and cutting to the basket for open layups makes him so much more valuable in the two-guard spot.
It will open up the offense for Anthony Davis even more if Holiday is running around trying to get open. In turn, the everyone on the Pelicans will benefit.
Through the six games Payton was able to play this season he averaged 9.7 points, 5.2 assists, and 5.3 assists per game while shooting 47.1 percent from the field and 42.3 percent from deep. Payton isn't much of a three-point shooter, but he can dish the ball out with authority and is athletic enough to get to the basket fairly easily.
Jrue Holiday, on the other hand, has been even more effective for the Pelicans. He's averaging 20.8 points, 4.5 rebounds and 8.7 assists per game while shooting 47.0 percent from the field and 30.9 percent from deep. Not only is he a great offensive player, but he's also one of the best defensive guards in the entire NBA.
The Pelicans this season are 16-21 on the season and sit in the 14th spot of the NBA's Western Conference. They will face off next against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Year'sears Eve.
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