The excitement surrounding Milwaukee Bucks rookie Brayden Burries is immeasurable, and it will only continue to grow. One particular reason for enthusiasm is the player comparisons the combo guard has drawn. Specifically, NBA.com noted that Jrue Holiday, someone Milwaukee is familiar with, is one player Burries resembles. Burries reaching those heights would be a dream scenario.
Holiday is someone every team wants to have
Often playing alongside star players such as Giannis Antetokounmpo, Anthony Davis, Jayson Tatum, and many more, Holiday has typically been overshadowed. However, despite being one of the most underrated players of all time in the eyes of many, he has always been an essential piece wherever he has gone. His two championship rings speak for themselves.
Holiday's value comes from his versatility and do-it-all mindset. Need someone to defend the best player on the other team? Got it. Need a clutch bucket? Check. Need a shot in the arm with a hustle play or two? He's already on it. He's the type of player teams love to employ but hate to play against because of everything he brings to the court.
Up-and-coming players should look to emulate Holiday as much as possible. That includes Burries, who has all of the tools to follow in the guard's footsteps.
Bucks could have Holiday successor in due time
On paper, the comparisons between Holiday and Burries are warranted. Obviously, the younger guard has a long way to go, but the traits are there.
Burries is a sturdy guard who made headlines for his versatile defense in college, becoming a pest to anyone he had to guard. Holiday is 6-foot-4, 220 lbs, while Burries is 6-foot-4, 215 lbs. There is more to defense than a frame, but like Holiday, Burries will have a size advantage over smaller guards while also being able to guard forwards due to his size. That's a weapon at the NBA level.
Offensively, both players can score from all three levels at will. When needed, they can take control of the offense directly, but they are also more than willing to play off the ball. Combo guards are needed on any good team to make life easier for the other star players. Like Giannis with Holiday, Tyler Herro and Ryan Rollins should benefit greatly from having an off-ball threat like Burries next to them.
The motor is similar as well. When he's not running the show, Burries has shown Holiday-like glimpses with his hustle by attacking the glass and running the floor, providing a spark to his team.
No one is saying Burries will look like Holiday from day one next season, but over time, perhaps he could work his way into that conversation. Replicating a likely future Hall of Famer would certainly help the Milwaukee Bucks turn the tide regarding their poor draft record over the last decade or so. This will all take time, but Bucks fans have every reason to be excited for the Burries era.
He hasn't even played a game for the team yet but is already making headlines.
Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis.
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