Milwaukee Bucks: Jrue Holiday’s two-way impact will define NBA Finals

Ever since the Milwaukee Bucks acquired coveted guard Jrue Holiday, they had a vision that the two-way stud would help propel the franchise over the hump of past struggles toward a championship-worthy team. Well, following a brilliant performance during the 118-107 win against the Atlanta Hawks in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals, Holiday has helped lift the Bucks into the NBA Finals for the first time since 1974.

Behind 27 points, nine assists, nine rebounds, four 3’s, four steals, and two blocks from Holiday while co-star Khris Middleton contributed 32 points (23 in the third quarter), seven assists, four 3’s, and three steals, Milwaukee has finally punched their ticket to a monumental goal they’ve been chasing for years.

As the Milwaukee Bucks set to meet the Phoenix Suns in the 2021 NBA Finals, Jrue Holiday’s impact on both ends of the floor should be the key to glory.

Despite two-time MVP and Defensive Player of the Year Giannis Antetokounmpo pronounced inactive for the last two games of the conference finals due to a hyperextended knee, Jrue Holiday and Khris Middleton both stepped up when needed most. Middleton stole the spotlight with various offensive outbursts, but Holiday was the most consistent all-around star on the court.

Throughout the last two games of the series without Antetokounmpo in which the Bucks never trailed at any time, Holiday averaged 26.0 points, 11.0 assists, 7.5 rebounds, and 2.5 steals per game. As a result, he’s now headed to the NBA Finals for the first time in his career in just his first season with Milwaukee.

“I’ve been so blessed over the last couple of years with everything going on to be able to land in a spot like this to be able to fulfill my dream,” Holiday said after advancing past the Hawks. “It’s still sinking in and I’m trying to come down, but words can’t really describe it right now.”

Holiday has had a terrific postseason for the most part after not being able to compete in moments like these throughout his career, and now his abilities will be showcased on the NBA’s most prolific stage. As the Bucks prepare to face the Phoenix Suns in the 2021 NBA Finals, they’ll need Jrue Holiday to continue dominating on both ends of the floor while staying aggressive and setting the tone at a constant rate.

The Suns will offer an intriguing challenge for Holiday with one of the best backcourts in the league, Chris Paul and Devin Booker, and a top-notch defense that’s very well-coached by Monty Williams. For the Bucks to be able to contain Phoenix defensively and break them down on the offensive end, they’re going to need their versatile point guard at his very best.

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Holiday will likely match up against 11-time All-Star Chris Paul to start, but the Suns will likely run a bunch of pick and roll schemes that will cause Milwaukee to switch or fight over screens. Since CP3 and even Booker or Cam Payne are highly efficient in the pick and roll or as ball-handlers with their ability to score and create from all angles on the court whether it’s pull-up 3’s, mid-range jumpers, floaters, crafty finishes around the rim, or flashy passes, Holiday will have a key responsibility of disrupting Phoenix’s offensive execution from the very start.

Especially if the Bucks stay in their traditional drop coverage scheme defensively, the Suns could take advantage by targeting a guy like Brook Lopez in the pick and roll. However, if Holiday can fight his way through contact and cause discomfort as he’s effectively done across his undervalued career, less pressure could be placed on Lopez or others in those tough scenarios.

There will be a lot of essential aspects riding on the shoulders of the All-NBA defender during these NBA Finals defensively, but we all know he’s capable of taking on the challenge with his high-end instincts, awareness, and mobility. All in all, affecting Paul’s flow will be the main storyline to follow in this series.

Additionally, his output offensively could be just as important. With or without Antetokounmpo, Jrue Holiday must continue to utilize his strength and quickness to efficiently facilitate and execute as a scorer and playmaker. Holiday has done an outstanding job maneuvering in the paint and attacking the rim lately, and that’s exactly what he should aim to implement on a consistent basis again.

At times, Holiday has settled for difficult, contested shots around the perimeter that have led to poor shot selection. His decisiveness with the ball in his hands will be crucial to Milwaukee’s success. While Holiday has shot just 29.9 percent from beyond the arc throughout this postseason, a critical determinant in these Finals will be his ability to connect on shots himself or create open looks for teammates, which will depend on his decision-making.

The Milwaukee Bucks sacrificed a haul of assets to add Jrue Holiday to this title-contending squad, and if they’re going to defeat the Phoenix Suns and claim their second championship in franchise history, Holiday’s two-way impact will be the key to glorified success.