The Milwaukee Bucks have been crowned as the NBA champions. In a hard-fought NBA Finals series, the Bucks came out on top after defeating the Phoenix Suns in 4-2 fashion.
En route to the win, players stepped up all across the board to help the team secure their first title win in 50 years. Giannis Antetokounmpo was rightfully named the Finals MVP, Khris Middleton kept the Bucks in the series with his impressive shooting, and Pat Connaughton provided some much-needed support off the bench throughout the series.
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However, Jrue Holiday deserves his praise following a solid six-game stretch that helped the Bucks fight back. Despite low shooting numbers, he provided facilitating, playmaking, and defense to help propel the Bucks to a championship.
Jrue Holiday’s facilitating proved to be beneficial for the Milwaukee Bucks as they made a comeback against the Phoenix Suns
Jrue Holiday finished the NBA Finals averaging 17 points, six rebounds, and nine assists per game. Not only that, he finished with the highest plus/minus of any player in the Finals with a combined +160. Despite being below his season average in scoring, he brought value on both ends of the court. The Bucks’ facilitator consistently found the weaknesses of the Phoenix Suns and was able to pick apart their defensive strategies. He specifically found those mismatches in the post.
Whether it was Giannis Antetokounmpo or Brook Lopez, Holiday was timely in his passes to allow for easy baskets before help arrived. Holiday primarily ran the offense and was able to find passing lanes to allow Giannis and the rest of Milwaukee’s frontcourt to take high percentage shots. In Game 5, Holiday finished with 13 assists. Game 5 was also Holiday’s best night on the offensive end, as he posted 27 points on 60% shooting from the field. Even in Holiday’s most productive night offensively, he still created opportunities for the rest of the Milwaukee Bucks to score.
Holiday’s ability to facilitate and locate the weaknesses in the Suns’ lineups was crucial. Locating mismatches, creating passing lanes, and getting the ball to each player in their preferred spot was a key to securing a championship. Even on his poor shooting nights, Holiday spread the floor and was a vocal leader in the Bucks offense. Without his impressive facilitating, Milwaukee would not be in this position.
Jrue Holiday provided valuable playmaking in important moments for the Milwaukee Bucks
When Milwaukee acquired Holiday, they acquired one of the best two-way guards in the league. Holiday has been known as a force on the defensive end but is also known for his playmaking ability.
One of the best examples of Holiday’s playmaking was at the end of Milwaukee’s Game 5 victory. With Milwaukee up by 1 point heading into the final 30 seconds, Holiday came away with a steal and found Giannis on the other end for an all-time alley-oop to give themselves some cushion. Holiday put the ball right where Giannis needed it to execute the play. When Milwaukee needed Jrue’s playmaking the most, he was there in one of the best plays of his career.
Of course, we can’t talk about Jrue’s playmaking without his offensive ability. Although his shooting numbers were below average, Jrue came alive in Games 3 and 5. In those games, Holiday shot a combined 20-of-34 from the field, logging him a 58% field goal percentage. Furthermore, Holiday shot 50% from beyond the arc in both games. While Jrue was not consistent throughout the Finals on the offensive end, he still provided the important offense in important games.
While some will look back at Holiday’s poor shooting nights, it is important to highlight the importance he has to the Milwaukee Bucks in other aspects of his game. His playmaking ability is a cut above the rest of the NBA, and Holiday proved it in important moments of the series.
Jrue Holiday’s defense shined once again when the Milwaukee Bucks needed it the most
When discussing Holiday, it should come as no surprise that he played excellent defense throughout the NBA Finals. He finished with 13 steals and four blocks, including a steal that would set up a play to seal the game in Game 5.
With Holiday scoring 52 points, 31 assists, and 10 steals over the last three games of the Finals, he joins Larry Bird and Jimmy Butler as the only other players to have at least 50 points, 30 assists, and 10 steals in a three-game span in the Finals. Holiday’s defense on some of Phoenix’s best shooters was impressive, and he was able to limit those players enough to give Milwaukee a victory. Holiday’s crucial defense late in Game 5 gave them the opportunity to secure a championship in Milwaukee, and the Bucks executed on that opportunity.
It is difficult to highlight just one defensive performance for Holiday as he provided sound defense throughout. Without his ability to limit Phoenix’s shooters, this series could have been much different. Holiday has proven he is one of, if not the best, defensive guard in the league, and he did so on the biggest stage.
Atypical offense aside, Jrue Holiday was a needle-mover for Milwaukee and proved to be the upgrade the Bucks were looking for. Holiday has now secured his first title in his first year with Milwaukee. With the core of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, and Jrue Holiday secured for the foreseeable future, Milwaukee should be right back in the race for an NBA championship again.
None of this would have been possible without Jrue Holiday in the facilitator role, and for that, he deserves the respect he has received.