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Knicks Rumors: Pros, Cons Of Pursuing Jrue Holiday In Free Agency

By Maxwell Ogden

Dec 30, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard Jrue Holiday (11) shoots over New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) during the second half of a game at the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans defeated the Knicks 104-92. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard Jrue Holiday (11) shoots over New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) during the second half of a game at the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans defeated the Knicks 104-92. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 15, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard Jrue Holiday (left) and forward Anthony Davis (23) and Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol (middle) fight for the ball during the second half at FedExForum. New Orleans defeated Memphis 95-91. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 15, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard Jrue Holiday (left) and forward Anthony Davis (23) and Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol (middle) fight for the ball during the second half at FedExForum. New Orleans defeated Memphis 95-91. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports /

Pro: Defense

Although all eyes were set on the triangle offense, the New York Knicks’ primary flaw in 2016-17 was defense. It ranked No. 23 in the Association in points allowed per game and No. 25 in points allowed per 100 possessions.

Although every starter not named Kristaps Porzingis was abysmal on defense in 2016-17, no position was weaker than point guard.

If the Knicks are looking for defense at the point guard position, then they should look no further than Jrue Holiday. He’s a 6’4″ and 205-pound force of nature who can defend both guard positions at a high level.

Derrick Rose may have averaged 18.0 points per game, but he was No. 81 amongst point guards in Defensive Real Plus-Minus—77 spots lower than Holiday.

Holiday trailed just Chris Paul, Patrick Beverley, and Kyle Lowry in Defensive RPM during the 2016-17 season. The New Orleans Pelicans recorded Defensive Ratings of 102.8 with Holiday on the court and 107.6 without him—a difference of 4.8 points per 100 possessions.

Holiday is a positive influence on his team’s defense and a high-level defender in isolation, which is the perfect combination for the Knicks to invest in.

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