New Orleans Pelicans: 5 players who need to step up with DeMarcus Cousins injured

4. Jrue Holiday, SG

Next up is a guy I believe means more to the New Orleans Pelicans than most think. That man is Jrue Holiday. In years past, when this guy has missed time, the Pelicans just don’t look the same without him. He’s a big guard who can defend, create his own offense and pass the ball as well. He’s efficient from the field, shooting nearly 50 percent on the court.

While his total field goal percentage is great, the only area of concern would be his 3-point shooting. Holiday is a career 36 percent shooter from downtown, but this season he’s only shooting 33.2 percent from beyond the arc. With “Boogie” shooting at least 35 percent from 3, Holiday has to step up his efficiency from that range.

On top of that, the Pelicans would welcome more rebounds on the part of everyone, especially from Holiday. Like Rajon Rondo, having more rebounds from Holiday means more pace on fast break opportunities. Overall, pace would benefit greatly with the guards rebounding missed shots. In other words, gang rebounding on both ends would greatly benefit the Pelicans on offense and defense.

When a team loses a guy who averages nearly 13 rebounds a game, it’ll take a team effort just to replace that, along with everything else DeMarcus Cousins brings to the court.