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Philadelphia 76ers: How The Jrue Holiday Injury Is Bittersweet

By Frankie Hobbs

Dec 27, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans point guard Jrue Holiday (11) is defended by Denver Nuggets point guard Ty Lawson (3) as he drives toward the basket in the second quarter at New Orleans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 27, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans point guard Jrue Holiday (11) is defended by Denver Nuggets point guard Ty Lawson (3) as he drives toward the basket in the second quarter at New Orleans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 4, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; New Orleans Pelicans point guard Jrue Holiday (11) signals to his teammates during the second half of the game against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Indiana Pacers beat New Orleans Pelicans 99 to 82. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 4, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; New Orleans Pelicans point guard Jrue Holiday (11) signals to his teammates during the second half of the game against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Indiana Pacers beat New Orleans Pelicans 99 to 82. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports /

No one ever likes to see a player get injured. Ever. Especially in a season like this one. We have seen Russell Westbrook, Derrick Rose and Chris Paul all go down with semi-serious to serious injuries in the past few months and it has really began to put a question mark around the need for an 82-game schedule.

New Orleans point guard Jrue Holiday is the latest in a line of young point guards to go down with an injury and he is set to be out for an extended period of time after suffering a fractured fibula.

The former Philadelphia 76ers’ All-Star captured the hearts of the city with a string of fantastic performances during the 2012-13 season. However, his injury, as bad as it sounds, helps the franchise moving forwards.

Let me explain.

Him being out for the remainder of the season virtually rules the New Orleans Pelicans out of the playoffs. This means the Sixers’ pick that they acquired from the Pellies should be one in the lottery.

Along with their own pick — that should be in the top five if all goes to plan — the Sixers could be picking twice in the top 10 in the most loaded draft class in a decade. An enviable situation for most general managers.

However, there is a worry growing in the city of Philadelphia that the injury to Jrue Holiday might just make the New Orleans Pelicans consider blowing it up and becoming one of the worst teams in the NBA. After all, they are only 15-20 for the season. If they decide to move along Eric Gordon, the Pelicans could really enter the Riggin’ for Wiggins contest of 2014. The pick that the Pelicans traded for Nerlens Noel was top-five protected.

I’d argue that the Pelicans will be a little too good to get a top five pick. Having said that, the lottery has thrown up many, many unlikely scenarios. Take the Orlando Magic winning the lottery two years in a row for one example.

Jrue Holiday’s injury is a disaster for many parties. The Pelicans, the NBA, and fans of the former UCLA guard. However, it may just turn out to be beneficial for the Philadelphia franchise. After all, they own that New Orleans pick. Sixers fans may initially be happy with the news; after all, the news means a better opportunity for the franchise. However, Jrue Holiday WAS the franchise for a good two years. He was the only shining light. To see him go down hurts; no matter who you are rooting for.