Social media is a good reflection of what a person deems important. NBA players and their curated social media presences are a great example of this. Their pages vary widely but their ideals are painted on their Instagram tapestry. Some players show their love of fashion, others a life of luxury, some solely basketball, and the rest devote their timeline to their designated brands. One that stands alone amongst this group, however, is Jrue Holiday.
Each post on his personalized timeline reads like a love letter. A love letter to a family that he recognizes as far more important than anything else. If it is not the effusive praise of his wife that would make even the most devoted husband’s stomach churn in guilt or the unrelenting love he pours onto his daughter, it is thank yous and proud of yous to his brothers and teammates. As Jrue Holiday put simply in an exclusive interview with Def Pen Sports, “I care.”
Care is what fuels him on the court, “I hate getting scored on with a passion… I don’t know why, there is just something in me that hates getting scored on.” It is Holiday’s incredible capacity for care that makes him such a devastating defender. Most players have the tools to be a great defender, they just don’t have the interest.
“Scoring is just more fun than defense. People are also so talented in the NBA so they know if they get scored on, they can just go back down and score on you but I want to stop you and then I am going to score on you. I also think the game has changed, defense isn’t really that fun to do. They (fans) love to see Steph (Curry) or James (Harden) go for 50.”
Holiday, unlike some others, cares every possession. His defensive impactfulness is almost unparalleled at his position because of it. He utilizes this, his athletic ability, and IQ to stymie offensive players. He often quite literally staggers players into brief bouts of confusion as if they walked straight into a tree they had not realized was there.
This kind of anticipation is rarely seen in the NBA. Even from the most gifted of players, this consistent ability to correctly predict which way a player is going and then successfully stop them in their tracks is incredibly impressive. Elfrid Payton concurred by saying, “He just has a unique ability and a lot of God-given talent.”
He has harnessed this ability since his NBA start. This is not where his capacity for care was born but it may have been where it impacted his career the most.
“I have always guarded the best player. That is actually how I got to play in the league. One of the first games I played, I think it was against Cleveland, I had to pick up full court. Coach got more trust in me from there. That got me going and started in the league.”
Holiday’s desire directly influenced his playing time and in turn, has made him one of the best defenders in the entire league. “He is probably the best perimeter defender, I put him right up there with Kawhi,” said Elfrid Payton to Def Pen Hoops while Alvin Gentry with unflinching support issued a challenge, “I think he is one of the best defenders at his position in the league. I would argue that with anybody who would want to do that.”
The level of work that is required for this kind of praise can only be attained by those committed enough to care full time and Jrue Holiday’s workload is staggering. Not only is he the only non-big man in the top 15 of total shots defended and third in total deflections but he is third in total touches and third in total drives. That is more touches than everyone but Nikola Jokic and nearly as many drives to the rack as the one man offense known as James Harden.
The workload does not even stop there. He has also run further on the court this season than any other player. In total, he has covered over 135 miles, almost eight more than CJ McCollum who is in second place. This is a ludicrous amount of work for a still offensively efficient player averaging 21 points, 8 assists and 4.7 rebounds per game, all career-high numbers, on 48 percent shooting from the field in 36.8 minutes of action.
When Jrue Holiday is not relentlessly working, he is probably at the movie theatres. For him, it is an oasis. A place he used to visit alone so he could watch other people’s work become reality.
Now, he goes with friends, with family, or with teammates. It is still an oasis but one rarely visited without those he loves.
He enjoys movies so thoroughly that he can not even fall asleep while watching one. He becomes too enthralled by the characters, too interested in the plot, and cares too much about the story to let himself drift off. Last year he enjoyed quite a few movies but his favorite of 2018 was as telling as his Instagram.
“I loved A Star is Born. I think it is because I really liked the experience with my wife. We could kind of relate to it. The pressure of two professionals going through that whole life. Even putting basketball before her or her putting soccer before me. We could relate to it.”
Jrue Holiday’s favorite movie of the year was largely based on his wife, the pressures they deal with, and the balancing act of love, work, and fame.
One’s capacity for care can prove to be world-altering. For Holiday, it is the decision maker that has dictated his entire life. On the court and off of it, he is showing how care can be the most powerful tool that we neglect but others appreciate the most. As Holiday once again unintentionally summarized to Def Pen Hoops,
“I’ve always cared.”
awwww man… Jrue Holiday’s daughter, Jrue, blows him a kiss and he catches it ??? pic.twitter.com/cU2Wu0CNLh
— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) May 6, 2018
(all stats as of 1/25/2019)
