Kristaps Porzingis first completely put Donte DiVincenzo in the wind with his shot feint, before serving Jrue Holiday. He imitated his interior by feinting RJ Barrett, just as late as his teammate, who threw himself. The Celtics leader was then able to calmly send in a 3-pointer.
And continue his great evening of attack against the Knicks. While the Latvian, Jayson Tatum and Derrick White all finished with at least 21 points on the clock, Jrue Holiday scored 16 points (7/11 on shots including 1/3), his best offensive outing in almost a month , supplemented by 6 rebounds, 5 assists and a big defensive investment (2 interceptions and 1 block), especially in the second half.
The 4th or 5th option!
Notable fact in this meeting: the Celtics played their first possession for him. After a screen from the Latvian in the racket to free him in the post, the leader had the opportunity to push Donte DiVincenzo with his back to the circle. But he wasn't able to finish under the basket. Rebelote a few minutes later, on the other side of the field, and Jrue Holiday was not happier, losing the ball on a dribble.
We will understand despite everything, as noted by the Boston Globe, that the idea was to involve the newcomer more offensively, relegated to a role of fourth option, behind Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Kristaps Porzingis. Even fifth, since Derrick White also scores more than him so far. His average of just over 12 points per game (43% on shots including 37% from distance) is his lowest since his rookie season, while he posted his best season in rebounding (7).
Proof of leadership
“ It's not easy to join a team that is well established with guys who have been there for several years. He's a great player and he's done so many great things in this league, so we have to do better by giving him more avenues to express himself. We have a long way to go and we will need him throughout the year », Judge Derrick White, author of 30 points against the Knicks.
Joe Mazzulla, according to whom the return to play of Kristaps Porzingis, recently hampered by his calf, opens opportunities for Jrue Holiday, is aware that the latter is capable of punishing against players smaller than him. But finding shooting tickets with such strength is not always easy.
The positive is that the selfless Jrue Holiday won't be the type to complain about the situation. He already experienced this with Team USA at the Tokyo Olympics. “ It shows his character and his leadership. He doesn't force anything, he will make the right choice for us. (Against the Knicks) he was aggressive, efficient, he made the play and scored. And that's what we need from everyone. He leads by example. Okay, his stats are maybe a little worse this year, it mainly shows that he is ready to sacrifice himself for us “, appreciates Kristaps Porzingis.
| Jrue Holiday | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2009-10 | PHL | 73 | 24 | 44.2 | 39.0 | 75.6 | 0.8 | 1.9 | 2.6 | 3.8 | 2.1 | 1.1 | 2.1 | 0.3 | 8.0 |
| 2010-11 | PHL | 82 | 35 | 44.6 | 36.5 | 82.3 | 0.8 | 3.2 | 4.1 | 6.5 | 2.5 | 1.5 | 2.7 | 0.4 | 14.0 |
| 2011-12 | PHL | 65 | 34 | 43.2 | 38.0 | 78.3 | 0.9 | 2.4 | 3.3 | 4.5 | 2.1 | 1.6 | 2.1 | 0.3 | 13.5 |
| 2012-13 | PHL | 78 | 38 | 43.1 | 36.8 | 75.2 | 1.1 | 3.1 | 4.2 | 8.0 | 2.2 | 1.6 | 3.7 | 0.4 | 17.7 |
| 2013-14 | NOP | 34 | 34 | 44.7 | 39.0 | 81.0 | 0.8 | 3.4 | 4.2 | 7.9 | 2.7 | 1.7 | 3.1 | 0.4 | 14.3 |
| 2014-15 | NOP | 40 | 33 | 44.6 | 37.8 | 85.5 | 0.8 | 2.6 | 3.4 | 6.9 | 2.8 | 1.6 | 2.3 | 0.6 | 14.8 |
| 2015-16 | NOP | 65 | 28 | 43.9 | 33.6 | 84.3 | 0.4 | 2.6 | 3.0 | 6.0 | 2.3 | 1.4 | 2.6 | 0.3 | 16.8 |
| 2016-17 | NOP | 67 | 33 | 45.4 | 35.6 | 70.8 | 0.7 | 3.3 | 3.9 | 7.3 | 2.0 | 1.5 | 2.9 | 0.7 | 15.4 |
| 2017-18 | NOP | 81 | 36 | 49.4 | 33.7 | 78.6 | 0.8 | 3.7 | 4.5 | 6.0 | 2.5 | 1.5 | 2.6 | 0.8 | 19.0 |
| 2018-19 | NOP | 67 | 36 | 47.2 | 32.5 | 76.8 | 1.1 | 3.9 | 5.0 | 7.7 | 2.2 | 1.6 | 3.1 | 0.8 | 21.2 |
| 2019-20 | NOP | 61 | 35 | 45.5 | 35.3 | 70.9 | 1.3 | 3.5 | 4.8 | 6.7 | 2.4 | 1.6 | 3.0 | 0.8 | 19.1 |
| 2020-21 | MIL | 59 | 32 | 50.3 | 39.2 | 78.7 | 1.2 | 3.3 | 4.5 | 6.1 | 1.7 | 1.6 | 2.2 | 0.6 | 17.7 |
| 2021-22 | MIL | 67 | 33 | 50.1 | 41.1 | 76.1 | 1.0 | 3.5 | 4.5 | 6.8 | 2.0 | 1.6 | 2.7 | 0.4 | 18.3 |
| 2022-23 | MIL | 67 | 33 | 47.9 | 38.4 | 85.9 | 1.2 | 3.9 | 5.1 | 7.4 | 1.7 | 1.2 | 2.9 | 0.4 | 19.3 |
| 2023-24 | BOS | 19 | 35 | 43.3 | 37.2 | 82.8 | 1.7 | 5.4 | 7.1 | 5.1 | 1.6 | 0.7 | 2.1 | 0.9 | 12.4 |
| Total | 925 | 33 | 46.1 | 36.6 | 78.3 | 0.9 | 3.2 | 4.2 | 6.5 | 2.2 | 1.5 | 2.7 | 0.5 | 16.3 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
