Justin Holiday: Golden State Warriors SG Earning His Keep

Golden State Warriors: Justin Holiday Earning His Keep

Jan 9, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Justin Holiday (7) attempts a shot over Cleveland Cavaliers guard Joe Harris (12) in the fourth quarter at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Cavaliers 112-94. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /

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November 5, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr (right) instructs guard Leandro Barbosa (19) during the third quarter against the Los Angeles Clippers at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Clippers 121-104. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

In With Holiday, Out With The Blur

So whose minutes is this former D-Leaguer taking now that he’s getting consistent run time?

Justin Holiday’s surge in playing time is a direct result of Kerr shying away from giving minutes to Leandro Barbosa and Brandon Rush, two backcourt backups who haven’t had much of an impact in limited minutes off the pine.

Leandro Barbosa has assumed the Kent Bazemore role of sprinting to halfcourt to greet players returning to the bench during stoppages.
— Rusty Simmons (@JRustySimmons) January 3, 2015

Despite shooting 48.8 percent from the field, Barbosa is averaging only 5.6 points in 12.0 minutes per game and has registered three “DNP-CD”s in his last four games — a far cry from the first month of the season, when the Brazilian Blur was logging more than 15.0 minutes per game.

Rush had been unable to crack the rotation for most of the season, but now he’s been phased out completely, earning only garbage time in six games since the start of December. With Barbosa and Rush all but glued to the bench, Holiday has made the most of his opportunity.

Next: Confidence

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