The Report on Jrue Holiday
Jrue Holiday was supposed to be long gone by the time the 76ers selected with the 17th pick of the NBA Draft. At one point, Holiday was rumored to be in contention with the Sacramento Kings at the 4th spot of the Draft. But as tonight's draft progressed, Holiday's name went uncalled and as each pick passed he remained the highest-rated player remaining on the board.
The Report on Jrue Holiday
Jrue Holiday was supposed to be long gone by the time the 76ers selected with the 17th pick of the NBA Draft. At one point, Holiday was rumored to be in contention with the Sacramento Kings at the 4th spot of the Draft. But as tonight's draft progressed, Holiday's name went uncalled and as each pick passed he remained the highest-rated player remaining on the board.
Luckily for the Sixers, the highest-rated player left was also a point guard, a position the Sixers needed to fill.
Holiday will be in Philly tomorrow -- Friday -- at 1 p.m. for a press conference at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine.
We've spent weeks leading up to this draft looking at UNC's Ty Lawson and VCU's Eric Maynor as well as UNC's Wayne Ellington -- mostly because Holiday was projected, by nearly everyone, to be off the board.
Why did he slip?
For one, he is 19 years old and played one less-than-stellar season at UCLA, averaging only 8.5 points and game and shooting 30.7 percent from the three-point line. For another, there was some concern over an injury that might have scared a few teams away. Tonight, Stefanski said Holiday might have fallen because he was No. 2 on a number of teams' lists. In that one season at UCLA, Holiday played out of position at shooting guard. Word is that Holiday, one of the top high school player in the country coming out of high school, went to UCLA thinking Bruins point guard Darren Collison was leaving for the NBA. Collison stayed in school and Holiday was forced to play out of position.
It's all speculation, but what matters is: What is Holiday's game? Will he play right away? Could he start if Andre Miller doesn't re-sign?
Only minutes after Holiday was selected, assistant GM Tony DiLeo said the Sixers did not expect Holiday to make an impact this coming season. A few minutes later, on a conference call from Madison Square Garden, Holiday said he disagreed with that, saying he expects to contribute right away.
Of course he does.
We could go on for 1,000 words about Lawson's game, but Holiday remains a little more unknown. What we do know is that Holiday has the size -- 6-foot-4 with a 6-7 wingspan -- to be a dominant point guard, although he didn't have a chance to show GMs his point guard skills at UCLA.
Holiday's strengths appear to be his versatility, his court vision, and his ability to execute, especially off the pick-and-roll. He doesn't seem to be a guy with explosive athleticism and game-changing skills in transition (like Ty Lawson), but as far as strong point guard skills and upside (let's keep in mind this kid is 19), Holiday has plenty of that.
Tonight, Stefanski spoke about Holiday. Reading between the lines, it sounded like Stefanski didn't think Holiday would come in right away and earn all kinds of playing time, but he did say he was impressed with Holiday's defensive abilities and added that defense might be a way for Holiday to find some playing time.
The knocks on Holiday are that he is unproven (and this is very true, with what was seen at UCLA), that he doesn't have a go-to scoring mentality (although that might not be a bad thing on a Sixers roster filled with guys who think they are go-to scorers), that his outside shot needs work (although I heard from a number of people that his form is textbook and he just needs more repetition), and that he has average athleticism and explosiveness (sounds like another Sixers point guard we know well...).
All in all, the Sixers stole one tonight at the 17th spot. It was the 17th spot in a weak draft and they got lottery-pick talent. Going forward, I think it's a stretch to think Holiday will get much playing time this coming season. If the Sixers don't re-sign Andre Miller (free agency opens July 1), expect the Sixers to sign a veteran point guard with the mid-level exception they have. Considering nine point guards were chosen in the first 21 picks (or right around there), there will be a number of solid point guards looking for jobs this summer.
--Kate
Expect the Sixers to sign a veteran point guard with the mid-level exception they have. Great, I was hoping they'd spend the money on a shooter. But because they got stupid in this draft and nothing to show, they need to waste the money on a point guard. Still no shooter or point guard. Smart management move.— 76er
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- this is the worst pick the sixers could of made. i saw him play in philly during the NCAA tournament in the UCLA vs. VCU game. Holiday didnt impress anyone. Eric Maynor ran the show and he is better one on one than holiday. Besides the way he plays...slowing down and "taking 30 seconds" off the clock is not sixer basketball. the slogan "Run with Us" in there for a reason. we are a transition team but we dont take the transition play. Ty Lawson was the best pick for our style of play in Philly and i just cant respect Ed for taking a player that one doesnt fit into our style and isnt ready to play now— BOOjrueholiday
- I was Shocked when i head the pick i was expecting teague lawson or maynor who can start right away but they pick a player who has a great potenial to be one of the best point gaurd for the years to come.. this coming FA if they can't sign Andre Miller or a veteran Point guard expect ED stefanski to to make a deal right away either to New jersey nets in getting Rafer alston or to minnesota with the rumors that rubio doesn't want to play with the wolves. This free agancy is getting hotter by the minute lot's will change in a few days hope you'll keep in touch.— Wolverine42
- They drafted him for his potential. His stats aren't important since he was playing out of position and he was a freshman. He'll be better in the NBA. Drafts are always a gamble, remember Sam Bowie ahead of Michael Jordan? At the time it seemed like the right choice. I would have preferred Lawson, but the upside (again potential) of Holiday makes sense to me. They have a good nucleus of young players now. Time to unload Brand and continue building for the future. Miller won't resign. He knows his time in the NBA is limited and will go to the highest bidder just like Dawkins...and I can't blame him.— dapmman
- You can tell the talent is there - can he realize it? It's going to take a little time, but I think he can be a player. I don't want Miller back. That would be as big a mistake as Ed could make at this point. I would have liked to see them try to deal to get Wayne too, but I can deal with Holiday. I would deal Lou in a second if we could also rid ourselves of Sam. If we could take the same or just one year back in the incoming player's deal - that would be awesome. C'mon Ed, get something done.— hugh
- Lets not forget that the kids is young and still growing both mentally and physically. If he lives up to his potential you guys are going to be singing Ed's praises. If he doesn't it was only the 17th pick in a depleted draft. I think he will do well. Considering all of his listed weaknesses are things that came be improved upon.— Tejayanie
John Mitchell is in his second year covering the 76ers for the Inquirer after joining the paper in November 2011. He covered the Washington Wizards for the Washington Times from 1998 to 2008. He's also worked at the Philadelphia Tribune, the Wilmington News Journal, Courier-Post, Trenton Times and Elmira Star-Gazette.Born and raised in West Philadelphia - not too far from Will Smith - he graduated from Overbrook High School the same year the 76ers won their last championship. He's a proud graduate of Howard University and the proud father of two sons, Jared and Jordan.
ABOUT MARC NARDUCCI
Marc Narducci has served in a variety of roles with the Inquirer since beginning in 1983. He has covered the 76ers as a backup and a beat writer. In addition, Narducci has covered everything from the Super Bowl to the World Series and a lot in between. Narducci also has a true passion for South Jersey scholastic sports, which he has covered for many years.
