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NBA Thanksgiving: What Every Team Has To Be Thankful For, Part 2

By Gerald Bourguet

Nov 7, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) takes the court prior to action against the Miami Heat at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 7, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) takes the court prior to action against the Miami Heat at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 18, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard Jrue Holiday (11) talks to his teammates in the second half of their game against the Portland Trail Blazers at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports /

New Orleans Pelicans: Holiday Back For The Holidays

Anthony Davis is the real reason the New Orleans Pelicans should be thankful, that much is obvious. But in terms of keeping him happy in NOLA, the return of Jrue Holiday has been a galvanizing force for this team, and it’s a huge part of the reason they’ve won four straight games.

Now sitting at 6-10, the Pellies are only two games out of a playoff spot in the West, which is extremely encouraging after their 2-10 start. With Holiday averaging 16.3 points and 7.0 assists per game off the bench, it’s no coincidence the team began its four-game win streak the night he returned.

The Pelicans still have a long way to go, of course, and the Brow is still the saving grace of this franchise. But we shouldn’t overlook how Holiday’s return has served as a possible turning point for New Orleans, especially right when things were starting to look pretty desperate.