While the Milwaukee Bucks’ season opener ended in heartbreaking fashion Wednesday night, new guard Jrue Holiday showed his impact on the squad.
Jrue Holiday was mere seconds away from the perfect ending that would have been fitting for his Milwaukee Bucks debut Wednesday night.
With his new team down 119-117 after Boston Celtics All-Star forward Jayson Tatum hit a tough fadeaway jumper with 1:24 to go in the fourth quarter, Holiday found the ball in his hands as new teammate Khris Middleton swung it his way. With Daniel Theis covered on him as he stood on the left wing, Holiday knew he had the mismatch he wanted.
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As Holiday took two strong dribbles with his left hand, which moved Theis well behind the 3-point line, the veteran guard smoothly stepped back, gathered his feet and fired away a triple that gave the Bucks a 120-119 edge with 70 seconds left to go.
It was a big-time moment for the newly acquired Bucks guard that would have served as the perfect punctuation to the Bucks’ season opener that showed both the new roster’s mettle and where they need to grow in their opening night of the season.
Jrue Holiday with the big time 3pic.twitter.com/HVOrjt8aJU
— The Lead (@TheLeadSM) December 24, 2020
Unfortunately, Tatum had other things in mind when he miraculous banked in a deep triple that gave the Celtics a 122-120 lead with 0.4 seconds left on the clock. The Bucks got a shooting foul on the other end that sent Giannis Antetokounmpo to the free throw line and after sinking the first free throw, Antetokounmpo short-armed his second free throw attempt and the final buzzer quickly sounded.
While the Milwaukee Bucks didn’t celebrate Jrue Holiday’s debut with a win in their regular season opener, he showed off his poise and skill set Wednesday night.
Holiday’s Bucks debut didn’t get the storybook ending that all Bucks fans were hoping for down the stretch. But that doesn’t discount the ways that Holiday balanced the Bucks as their play spanned both ends of the spectrum over the game.
Finishing with 25 points on 10-of-16 shooting from the field, (1-for-4 from deep), six rebounds, three assists as well as three turnovers, two steals and a block in 38 minutes of burn, Holiday’s influence was palpable to see from the jump. The poise and control in which the 30-year-old showed at the point was quite a different sight to see when compared to the full throttle nature of Eric Bledsoe’s game.
But what the Bucks didn’t lose with Holiday replacing Bledsoe was how simply strong of a finisher Holiday has and continues to be at this stage in his career.
We saw multiple times Holiday knife in the way and utilize his size, strength and deft touch to convert tough finishes, especially with his off-hand. That certainly helped him enjoy the efficient night he had shooting the ball and Holiday’s smooth pull up game showed when rising and firing away from mid-range and on the baseline.
With Holiday’s tenacious and physical defense unsurprisingly shining, especially in the context of the Bucks’ defense, very little went wrong in the way of Holiday’s Bucks debut. Save for the final result, of course.
As the Bucks have invested so much into Holiday after dealing away Bledsoe, George Hill, three first rounders and two pick swaps, Holiday’s comfort playing in Milwaukee and their system is on the mind of all Bucks fans. The same goes for his chemistry alongside his new All-Star teammates in Antetokounmpo, Middleton, Brook Lopez and on down.
Over the growing time that Bucks fans have been able to get to know Holiday, he has certainly embraced the expectations facing him and the Bucks this season with the talk of reaching the NBA Finals surrounding them for the second straight year. And Holiday reiterated his desire and comfort level when playing in big moments after the game when reflecting on his big shot that was so close to cementing his first victory with his new team.
Jrue Holiday on his big three in the final minute:
— Kane Pitman (@KanePitman) December 24, 2020
"That's what I play for. To be able to be in games like this where we are down big and coming back, big moments like that. Just taking the shot."
Alas, it wasn’t meant to be for Holiday or the Bucks last night in Boston.
Yes, it’s the first game of a long season and playoff run, but Jrue Holiday was certainly as advertised in the Milwaukee Bucks’ regular season debut this 2020-21 campaign. We’ll be tuned in to what else is in store over Holiday’s first season in Milwaukee.