Milwaukee Bucks: Studs and Duds through the first 10 games

Milwaukee Bucks studs and duds through 10 games: Stud: Jrue Holiday

I fully acknowledge that Jrue Holiday has had a few dud games offensively, however, even in his bad offensive games, Jrue Holiday finds ways to impact games positively for the Milwaukee Bucks. Opening night in Philadelphia is a perfect example, Jrue shot just 2-of-15, but contributed eight assists and two steals while playing defense on Tyrese Maxey and James Harden for 35 minutes, and in that time only turned the ball over once. Looking at the beginning of the season for Holiday if you look at any game he didn’t shoot well, he stuffed the stat sheet in other areas.

What still gets overlooked by NBA fans and the media but is not lost on opponents, is how good Jrue Holiday is defensively. Jrue can defend 1-3 with relative ease and did spend some time guarding Kevin Durant during the matchup with the Nets.

Head coach Mike Budenholzer has placed emphasis on defending the 3-point line more this season as it is one Achilles’ heel the Bucks have dealt with in games they’ve lost in years past. Jrue Holiday has taken that to the extreme. Opponents are shooting just 30.6 percent on 3-pointers when guarded by Jrue Holiday this season. That number is even more impressive considering Jrue has faced James Harden, Kyrie Irving, Trae Young, Cade Cunningham twice, DeAngelo Russell and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Jrue has gone up against a stable of budding stars, proven players and superstars this early season behind the arc, and guys are finding it difficult to make 3-pointers when guarded by him.

If Jrue Holiday can develop more consistency offensively, he is another player that will garner All-Star consideration.