NBA: Ranking the top 20 players that impact the game in non-scoring roles

19. Jrue Holiday, New Orleans Pelicans

The Holiday brothers have made a name for themselves in the NBA. All three of them can play, but Jrue Holiday is the only one to make an All-Star team. Over the years Holiday has become known as a lockdown defender, making the All-NBA Defensive first-team in 2018 and the All-NBA Defensive second-team in 2019.

In the 2018 first round, the New Orleans would shock the world by sweeping the Portland Trail Blazers. Although stopping Portland’s All-Star player Damian Lillard was a team effort, Holiday was the primary defender on him and was able to force him into tough shots and turnovers. Lillard would finish the series averaging 18.5 points per game, under his 26.9 average from the regular season. He would shoot 35 percent from the field, including 30 percent from the 3-point line.

This season Lillard is averaging 29.5 points per game, shooting 46 percent from the field and 39 percent from the 3-point line. In the two games, Holiday has been the primary defender against Lillard this season, he is shooting 32 percent, going 12-37 from the field, including 0-14 from the 3-point line. In the offseason New Orleans traded away disgruntled superstar forward Anthony Davis, electing to go with a youth movement. Holiday is now a vet on a young team that is in the playoff hunt. He is valuable because he is a leader that knows what it takes to win.