Key Highlights:
Holiday is currently the favorite to win the 2024 NBA Finals MVP award, according to NBA.com. Holiday has long been a player underestimated by mainstream media and fans. Based on his statistical profile, Holiday should have three more All-Star nominations than he currently does. With the Boston Celtics up 2-0 against the Dallas Mavericks in the 2024 NBA Finals, attention has turned to who will win the Finals MVP award. NBA.com’s Finals MVP ladder currently has Jrue Holiday in the top spot. Through two games, Holiday is averaging 19 PPG, 9.5 RPG, 4.0 APG, and 1.0 SPG on 76.7% true shooting. While I believe Jayson Tatum has been the Celtics’ most valuable player, it’s satisfying to see Holiday finally getting the recognition he deserves. To celebrate, let’s take a look at how many times Holiday has been overlooked by the NBA world in this edition of NBA Study.
Why Are We Doing This?
Holiday has an impressive list of career achievements, including six All-Defensive Team selections and a potential second NBA Championship. However, he has only made two All-Star teams, leading many to believe he deserves more. In this article, we analyze how many All-Star selections Holiday could have earned.
How Are We Doing This?
We will utilize various one-number metrics (Box Plus-Minus, Estimated Plus-Minus, C-RAM, and LEBRON) and plus-minus data to gauge Holiday’s standing in the league over his 15-year career. Here is Holiday’s league ranking in each measure:
Jrue Holiday Career One-Number Metrics (League Ranking)
– BPM: 2009-10 (167th), 2011-12 (99th), 2018-19 (34th)
– On-Court Plus-Minus: 2011-12 (58th), 2017-18 (53rd), 2022-23 (7th)
– On-Off EPM: 2014-15* (25th), 2018-19 (19th), 2020-21 (16th)
– CRAM: 2011-12 (129th), 2018-19 (21st), 2021-22 (9th)
– LEBRON: 2013-14* (81st), 2019-20 (51st), 2021-22 (16th)
What Do These Numbers Mean?
Holiday didn’t perform at an All-Star level until the 2014-15 season due to injuries. From 2017-18 to 2022-23, he consistently displayed All-Star caliber performance, with metrics like EPM and plus-minus data supporting his case. These metrics highlight Holiday’s impact beyond traditional stats, showcasing his versatility and defensive prowess. When considering these factors, Holiday should have garnered more All-Star selections.
The Bottom Line
Based on our analysis, Holiday likely deserved five All-Star selections from 2017 to 2023, rather than the one he received. This indicates that Holiday should have three more All-Star nods to his name. Nonetheless, Holiday’s focus remains on adding another NBA title and a Finals MVP to his impressive resume. If you enjoyed this edition of NBA Study, don’t forget to check out our other studies on classical big men and the best rookie seasons in NBA history.
