• March 28, 2024

Holiday Is The Sixers’ Silver Lining

In this hot-mess of a season, Jrue Holiday is this year’s silver lining. The 22 year-old is on his way to his first All-Star appearance and there should be many more to come. He’s actually the youngest All-Star in franchise history.

Jrue has developed into one of the best point guards in the league. The Sixers finally decided to hand over the KEYS to this team this past off-season. Doug finally put his trust into Jrue… Wait, what did I just say? Doug put what into Jrue? You know what I meant.

The former first round pick (17th overall) in 2009, has become building block for the next ten years. He did not have that much hype when was drafted by the Sixers. In his only year at UCLA, he played off the ball while Darren Collison (Mavericks) ran the show for the Bruins. Even though Jrue was considered one of the best PG’s in the nation when he recruited by UCLA.

In his first season as a 19-year-old he played behind Lou Williams and showed signs of his skill then. He averaged 8.o ppg and 3.8 assists 24.2 minutes a game. He had that veteran feel to the game even in his first year.  Then as the starting PG the next two seasons he made some strides even though Doug had the ball in the hands of Iggy and Lou-Will in key situations.

This year he has taken off and I love watching him play. Yes, I know he is turning the ball over a ton. He is actually second in the NBA in turnovers (152, average of 4.0 a game) and Harden is first (166, average of 3.9 a game). Turnovers are going to happen when a young player is given full freedom out on the court. I can almost guarantee that Jrue will learn to turn the ball over less. Jrue has also gotten praise around the league.

Steve Nash’s quote on Jrue..

 “I think he gives them obviously a very talented players but he also makes guys around him better.  He makes it more difficult for you to guard [Evan] Turner[Jason] Richardson and the other guys on the perimeter

He’s a terrific player,” Nash said.  “He’s an All-Star this year” via LATimes.com

Jrue’s ride started back in the summer when he and Kyrie Irving were hoopin against the Olympic team. Jrue was on the USA Select Team this past summer. Holiday thinks that played a big part in his breakout season…

It was definitely big playing with the USA Select Team this summer,” Holiday said. “Obviously, playing against the best players in the world and just seeing what they do, how they think and just picking their brains. That, and then the experience in the playoffs. A little bit of Derrick Rose,Paul Pierce and KG (Kevin Garnett), you just learn so much, so it was definitely big.” via CSN

Jrue has had two games of 30 plus points and 13 plus assists. That is pretty impressive assists totals, considering the way the Sixers offense is.  At least we have Jrue.

Joe Hickman Jr.

Bleed Philly Sports! 84 ounces of Coffee a day because that is what I do! Utley's hair has nothing on me! Father of the craziest little girl in the world! Born and raised in Darby, PA! By the way, my Grammar Sucks! You can follow on twitter @phillytugger.

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paulman
paulman
January 28, 2013 1:02 pm

Jrue Holiday, best Player on this 76ers Roster without a doubt and still has upside to grow and become even better.. Now if they can surround him with Quality Players along the front line, he could average Double Digts in Assists
which will allow him even more room/space to operate…
I like when they put him down low and isolate him on his defender down in the block area, almost a guaranteed 2 Points and a trip to the Foul LIne..
I actually wish they would do this more often, for he can back down most Guards that are trying to defend him..

BirdoBeamen
BirdoBeamen
January 28, 2013 3:45 pm

I’m so glad you are focusing your attention on the TRUE star of the 76ers, and not that bum overrated POS waste of a number 2 pick Evan Turner.

eagles0superbowls
eagles0superbowls
January 28, 2013 8:26 pm

@Jon Hart
you can go ahead and add Jerryd Bayless to the list of PG who easily blow past Jrue “Cement Shoes” Holiday
Jrue Holiday is not an elite PG in the league — he is too slow, he continually gets broken down defensively every game —

DCar
DCar
January 29, 2013 8:22 am

Hey, Lil BRON-BRON Jon Fraud, you still on Bynums wood, after what he said yesterday? “It doesn’t matter to him, when he plays.” He’s a mutt! He’s a faker! He’s a liar! He’s a thief! AND he’s a fraud! I hope they shut down his lying @$$, for the rest of the season! F^#@ HIM! He sucked ALL of the life out of this team, in which the year started off promising. He will never play here! BONE BRUISE MY @$$!!!!