Behind the Bucks Pass
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Analyzing the biggest playoff X-factor for each Milwaukee Bucks starter

By Dalton Sell

ORLANDO, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 30: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 and Jrue Holiday #21 of the Milwaukee Bucks celebrate against the Orlando Magic during the fourth quarter at Amway Center on December 30, 2021 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 30: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 and Jrue Holiday #21 of the Milwaukee Bucks celebrate against the Orlando Magic during the fourth quarter at Amway Center on December 30, 2021 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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Milwaukee Bucks: Jrue Holiday
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12 (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

Jrue Holiday’s step-back 3-point shooting will be his biggest playoff X-factor with the Milwaukee Bucks

One of the most prominent reasons why Jrue Holiday has fit so seamlessly with the Bucks is his stellar 3-point shooting. Holiday shot the long ball more efficiently than he has ever before in his career this season as he hit 41.1 percent of those shots, and a significant reason for that was his success on step-back opportunities, which could be his biggest weapon offensively in the playoffs.

Holiday shot an efficient 49-of-93 (52.7 percent) on his step-back 3-pointers this season, which helped him become an incredibly versatile player offensively. With this shot in his arsenal, it made Holiday a challenging cover for defenders, given that he was also a threat when posting up, having shot 33-of-53 (62.3 percent) on such attempts this season. If he can knock down these step-back 3-pointers with consistency while also utilizing his strengths to take it to the rim and score, he will unlock a new level of versatility for this Milwaukee offense.

The guard utilized the step-back jumper during last year’s title run, but the results were not close to what he has seen this season. Across those 23 hard-fought games, Holiday shot just 10-of-35 (28.6 percent) on his step-back triples and 30.3 percent on his overall 3-pointers. With his 3-point shot not falling with any regularity, Holiday still found other ways to score throughout the title run, but hitting it this time around could make a world of difference. If he can find a groove from behind the arc in these playoffs, specifically with his step-back, it would make Holiday more lethal on that side of the basketball.

Everyone knows Holiday will bring elite defense to the table, but like Middleton, there were some nights where he struggled offensively, and hitting this shot consistently could solve that problem.

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