NBA Week 15 Rewind: Celtics are heading for a special future
By Tom West
Under-the-radar Players to Watch Next Week
Jrue Holiday has dealt with injuries over the last few seasons and played in just 74 games during 2013-14 and 2014-15 combined. This season has been a real improvement but he’s still missed a few games and has been coming off the bench for the Pelicans since December 4. It’s not ideal and New Orleans need him at his best, although he’s been looking a lot more like his former All-Star self lately.
His minutes are up and so is his production, indicated by his 28.8 minutes, 18.7 points and 7.3 assists over the last 10 games. 44.8 percent shooting and only two turnovers a night are more than respectable elements of his efficiency, too.
As Holiday continues to maintain increased playing time and get back to being the quick, alert, playmaking point guard he is, the Pelicans at least have another bright spot in an otherwise hopeless season.
Will Barton has gone from being a low-end bench player with the Trail Blazers at the start of last season to a genuine Sixth Man of the Year candidate with the Nuggets in 2015-16. He’s always been athletic, he’s always been aggressive when he soars to the rim, and now he’s getting a chance to produce.
With 28.8 minutes per game, Barton is easily playing the biggest role of his career. Last week he delivered more key performances, as his 20-point game led the Nuggets to a 112-93 win that snapped the Raptors’ 11-game win streak. To follow, he tallied a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds against the Jazz before dropping 18 points in a surprising 115-110 win against the Bulls.
He’s been rebounding at an incredible rate for a 6’5″ shooting guard all season, averaging 7.5 per 36 minutes. Along with his 15.5 points per game on 45 percent shooting and 38.5 percent three-point shot, Barton is recording career-highs across the board. Without doubt, he’s emerging as one of the NBA’s most energetic backups.