Is Jrue Holiday still the best on-ball defender around?
Is Jrue Holiday still the best on-ball defender around? This question has circulated within NBA circles for years. Known for his defensive prowess, Jrue Holiday has earned recognition for his ability to stifle even the league’s most elite scorers. However, as the seasons pass and competition evolves, we must assess his current standing among contemporary defenders.
Holiday has not lost any effectiveness when it comes to guarding the perimeter. Last season, he defended some of the most offensively talented players in the league, such as Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant. According to the NBA, when he was the primary defender, Holiday held opponents to an effective field goal percentage (eFG%) of just 42.7%. This number is remarkable, not only for how low it is but also for the fact that it seems to hold true even against the best players in the league.
Moreover, when we look at the numbers and compare them to those of the players he faced, they tell a very clear and compelling story. He has been consistently ranked in the very top tier of defenders across the league. And, in particular, his DWS (defensive win shares) really stand out. Over the last five years, he has averaged 4.1 DWS per year, which has him among the top 10 guards in the league. This is a statistic that is telling us——and it is not by any means the only one; it is also backed up by several others——that he is a guy who affects the game in a very significant way on the defensive end.
Holiday’s Skill Set and Defensive Impact
Holiday possesses more than just the ability to tally stats. His contemporary peers look to him for leadership during NBA All-Star Weekends. That’s something the New Orleans Pelicans and Milwaukee Bucks have enjoyed, too, under Holiday, who recently was lauded for his charitable work while being among the NBA’s quiet leaders. Yes, he has a great personality. Yes, he is smart. But the ‘why’ behind Holiday being such a great defensive player speaks more to the ‘how’ of just being a great player in a league full of great players.
In addition, Holiday’s versatility as a defender is one of his standout traits. He can guard several positions, which makes him an invaluable asset. Per Synergy Sports, he ranked in the 90th percentile for guarding isolation plays. This means that when opponents went for one-on-one situations, they often found themselves stymied by Holiday’s relentless pressure and quick footwork.
Along with his on-ball defense, Holiday is also skilled at off-ball defense. He effectively moves around screens, often fighting through picks to stay close to his assignment. This ensures that even when he is not directly defending the ball, he is a significant deterrent. His understanding of defensive rotations makes his team much better in transition defense.
The Competition: Who’s Challenging Holiday?
Is Jrue Holiday still the best defender on the ball? As we assess the current competition, it’s necessary to recognize other would-be challengers. These include young defenders like Marcus Smart, Matisse Thybulle, and Davion Mitchell, who have each made a name for themselves on the NBA’s All-Defensive teams. Smart, for instance, is the reigning Defensive Player of the Year and also one of the best ball defensors in the league.
Matisse Thybulle’s excellent quickness and supreme athleticism allow him to thrive in on-ball situations. He constantly ranks among the league’s best in steals per 36 minutes. Yet, when we set these players alongside Holiday and examine their overall contributions, it becomes clear that experience and versatility still give Holiday the edge.
Moreover, we need to look at the overall effect a player’s defense has on a team’s success. Holiday’s impact goes much deeper than just the numbers he posts. His defense was a critical factor during the Bucks’ run to the championship in 2021. They relied on him to go after the best offensive players in the league, which enabled scoring threats like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton to do their thing on the other end. Holiday’s presence also makes a big difference in the team’s morale. He’s the kind of guy who can beat a top offensive player in one possession, then lead a fast break right after and electrify the crowd. Those are the moments when team chemistry, which can be kind of elusive during the long, hard slog of an NBA season, is at its highest.
Conclusion: Holiday’s Legacy in Defense
To wrap up, even though the issue remains—Is Jrue Holiday still the best on-ball defender there is?—the evidence suggests he’s earned that title in many ways. His numbers, together with his presence on the court, make him one of the most dangerous defenders in the league. The fact that he continues to adapt his game and fend off the competition only adds to the narrative that the undisputed king of the on-ball defender position is still very much in his prime.
As the NBA landscape transforms, new challengers will assuredly emerge. But for right now, Jrue Holiday remains the defensive juggernaut he’s been throughout his career. Even more, he is a player whose specific talents—in this case, on-ball defense—can dramatically turn a team’s success around. At this moment, his established track record and current performance metrics make him seem like a strong candidate for one of the elite on-ball defenders in the league. More importantly, his reach extends far beyond mere stats, shaping what seems to be the future of on-ball defense in the NBA.
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