Arrived in Houston as the Rockets’ third point guard, Aaron Holiday has just gone number 2. The former Pacers player, who had only played 4 minutes in the first three games of the year, took advantage of rookie Amen Thompson’s sprained ankle to recover minutes behind Fred VanVleet .
“ He’s a guy who can play with and without the ball. He’s stronger, more durable for his size and he shoots well, so he was very useful to us with the absences. He has been very good lately “, justifies Ime Udoka.
Coming off the bench, for an average of 19 minutes, he contributes just under 6 points (45% on shots including 37% from distance), 2 rebounds and 2 assists. With above all the third best +/- ratio of his team, behind Alperen Şengun and Tari Eason. His extra thing? His defensive activity.
His presence relieves Fred VanVleet
“ Honestly, I feel like I played well in all of our matches, putting intensity on defense, shooting when I’m open and making my teammates play. That’s all I’ve been focusing on, and I think I’ve done a good job so far », Judges the person concerned.
“ Aaron is very combative on defense, which allows him to intercept balls, be physical and be another player who can attack the racket and bring out the ball. And he’s pretty good at 3-pointers, which helps to spread the game. But having another playmaker who gets in the paint and makes the right reads for everyone takes the pressure off me. and my responsibilities as a ball handler », adds Fred VanVleet.
So many qualities that the 23rd pick of the 2018 Draft brought to the service of the Pacers during his first years in the big league, before traveling a lot in recent years (Wizards, Suns, Hawks and Rockets), most often as a replacement. Which doesn’t stop him from enjoying evolving with the team’s starter, the former Raptors leader.
“ People can say we’re too small, but we’re both point guards, we switch up on defense and we play hard, and it doesn’t really matter. I feel like we play well together. I can play with Fred, because he’s the one who brings the ball up most of the time. I can shoot, I can penetrate and shoot and I’m also another ball handler to help us launch our attacks. So I think it works well for us », Expands Holiday.
A leading combination which contributes to the Rockets’ good start to the season (7 wins – 6 losses).
| Aaron Holiday | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2018-19 | IND | 50 | 13 | 40.1 | 33.9 | 82.0 | 0.1 | 1.2 | 1.3 | 1.7 | 1.4 | 0.4 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 5.9 |
| 2019-20 | IND | 66 | 25 | 41.4 | 39.4 | 85.1 | 0.3 | 2.0 | 2.4 | 3.4 | 1.8 | 0.8 | 1.3 | 0.2 | 9.5 |
| 2020-21 | IND | 66 | 18 | 39.0 | 36.8 | 81.9 | 0.2 | 1.1 | 1.4 | 1.9 | 1.4 | 0.7 | 1.0 | 0.2 | 7.2 |
| 2021-22 * | All Teams | 63 | 16 | 44.7 | 37.9 | 86.8 | 0.4 | 1.6 | 1.9 | 2.4 | 1.5 | 0.7 | 1.1 | 0.1 | 6.4 |
| 2021-22 * | W.A.S. | 41 | 16 | 46.7 | 34.3 | 80.0 | 0.2 | 1.4 | 1.6 | 1.9 | 1.5 | 0.6 | 1.0 | 0.2 | 6.1 |
| 2021-22 * | PHX | 22 | 16 | 41.1 | 44.4 | 93.9 | 0.7 | 1.8 | 2.5 | 3.4 | 1.5 | 0.8 | 1.3 | 0.0 | 6.8 |
| 2022-23 | ATL | 63 | 13 | 41.8 | 40.9 | 84.4 | 0.4 | 0.8 | 1.2 | 1.4 | 1.3 | 0.6 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 3.9 |
| 2023-24 | HOU | 11 | 17 | 45.1 | 37.0 | 83.3 | 0.1 | 1.6 | 1.7 | 1.7 | 1.7 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 5.6 |
| Total | 319 | 17 | 41.4 | 37.7 | 84.0 | 0.3 | 1.4 | 1.7 | 2.2 | 1.5 | 0.7 | 1.0 | 0.2 | 6.6 | |
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.
