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NBA: 10 under the radar players to look out for in 2015-16

By Tom West

Dec 30, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans point guard Tyreke Evans (1) celebrates with teammate point guard Jrue Holiday (11) after hitting a shot to take the lead with 1.2 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter of a game against the Portland Trail Blazers at the New Orleans Arena. The Pelicans defeated the Trail Blazers 110-108. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans point guard Tyreke Evans (1) celebrates with teammate point guard Jrue Holiday (11) after hitting a shot to take the lead with 1.2 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter of a game against the Portland Trail Blazers at the New Orleans Arena. The Pelicans defeated the Trail Blazers 110-108. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 14, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard Jrue Holiday (11) shoots between Golden State Warriors defenders guard Klay Thompson (11) and guard Stephen Curry (30) and center Festus Ezeli (31) during the first half of a game at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 14, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard Jrue Holiday (11) shoots between Golden State Warriors defenders guard Klay Thompson (11) and guard Stephen Curry (30) and center Festus Ezeli (31) during the first half of a game at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

Jrue Holiday

When Anthony Davis is on your team, it’s hard to stand out. Although, since becoming an All-Star after averaging 17.7 points and 8 assists per game with the Philadelphia 76ers in 2012-13, Jrue Holiday’s injuries have hampered his rise to fame.

Since joining the New Orleans Pelicans in 2013, Holiday hasn’t been able to play more than 40 games in a season. No matter how much Davis can do, his team simply can’t win if it doesn’t have its point guard. Which is what makes things even more painful for fans, because the injury plagued Holiday can do pretty much everything you want from a point guard when healthy.

He’s patient on offense, reads the floor well, looks to set up his teammates (7.6 assists per 36 minutes last season), makes 37.6 percent of his threes, and runs pick and rolls effectively when either passing or driving to the basket himself.

With Holiday on the floor, the Pelicans are unquestionably a better team. Their offensive rating rose by 4.9 points per 100 possessions with him in the game and he adds another dynamic to the terror of “The Brow”. Holiday even averaged more assists per 36 minutes than All-Stars Kyle Lowry, James Harden and even LeBron himself, which isn’t something many players can say.

Holiday’s opportunity to gain some acknowledgement is only made harder by the plethora of elite point guards in the NBA. But no matter how difficult it is for him to stand out, he still deserves more respect if he’s able to showcase his skills for more than half a season in 2015-16.

Next: Tyreke Evans

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