Before the season, Jrue Holiday re-signed with the New Orleans Pelicans on a five-year, $126 million dollar deal. For the better part of the season's first half, Holiday was widely seen as an overpaid player. His numbers did not justify all the money he is getting paid, but a lot of people seem to forget he plays with, arguably, the best two big men in the NBA. Holiday has been balling lately, averaging 25.6 points on 59.3 percent shooting from the field over his last five games. It is also the first time in almost two years that Holiday posts five straight 20-point games.
According to NOLA.com's William Guillory, DeMarcus Cousins has high praise for his teammate amid this strong stretch of play:
“He's been incredible. He took a lot of heat in the beginning of the year and he just stuck with it. He remained solid throughout it all. He worked his tail off and now he's playing some of the best basketball of his life. You've got to appreciate guys like that. We knew, eventually, it would come around; he's found his stride and he's been incredible.”
Cousins also spoke about how other teams defending them opens space for everyone in the court:
“It opens up a lot of opportunities. Either they're packing the paint or they won't leave me or (Anthony Davis) at all. It's giving, not only Jrue, but other guys opportunities to make plays and it's creating space and opportunities for other guys.”
It can be hard for Holiday to get his shots when he is playing with teammates as dominant as Cousins and Davis. But it appears as time has given him a feel for when to take shots and when to pass while still playing efficiently. If Holiday is able to keep this level of play, watch out for New Orleans in April.
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