Milwaukee Bucks: 3 biggest questions going into 2021 NBA Playoffs

Can Jrue Holiday alone be the difference maker for the Milwaukee Bucks in the playoffs?

It goes without saying that the Bucks have put all of their proverbial eggs in the Jrue Holiday basket. Whether that was sacrificing the bulk of their future first round picks to acquire him from the New Orleans Pelicans last offseason or Holiday repaying that investment by signing a four-year contract extension that keeps him in Milwaukee until 2025, though he has a $27.3 million player option for the 2024-25 season.

Now, though, is the time where it all must come together for Holiday as he looks to be the biggest difference present in the Bucks’ upcoming series with the Miami Heat.

Throughout his first season in Milwaukee, Holiday has been nothing short of brilliant. He’s enjoying his most efficient season of his 12-year career while averaging 17.7 points on .503/.392/.787 shooting, along with 6.1 assists and 4.5 rebounds in 59 appearances.

There is virtually no one area where Holiday struggles in and the exceptional versatility and malleability he brings to the table, especially on the defensive end, is something the Bucks haven’t had from the guard position over the Budenholzer era.

Furthermore, Holiday has fully meshed when playing alongside the likes of Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton and the Bucks have reaped the rewards with having all three on the court. Per NBA.com/stats, that trio outscored opponents by 12.7 points per 100 possessions across 922 regular season minutes.

Holiday has never played for a team with contending aspirations like this Bucks team and he knows that too. That was obviously the big draw in coming to Milwaukee in the first place. But as they say, great responsibilities come with great expectations and Holiday will have to show that he can deliver when it matters most.