It was a small, but strange sequence that caused speculation and angst among some fans about Holiday\u2019s viability with the Blazers. That speculation only grew after the franchise didn\u2019t host his introductory press conference immediately, instead holding it in late July.<\/p>\n
Now, fast forward to mid-October and the early stages of Holiday\u2019s partnership with his new team. If this is what \u201cpissed\u201d Jrue Holiday looks like, then pissed Jrue Holiday sure seems likable\u2026and helpful\u2026and like a big boost to team morale. To put it another way: He\u2019s showing exactly why the Blazers targeted him this summer.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve been in the game long enough to know that it\u2019s not always gonna be the brightest or the best or the easiest, whatever you want to say,\u201d Holiday said at his introductory presser, discussing switching from a championship contender to a team fighting just to make the playoffs. \u201cBut I think coming to a team and an organization that has the character of this team and organization makes basketball great. That\u2019s why you want to come here and you want to play because you feel like you\u2019re a part of something bigger than yourself. You feel like you\u2019re a part of a bigger team and a bigger purpose.\u201d<\/p>\n
Through that introduction and Media Day, plus two weeks of preseason practice, Holiday has shown his commitment to that purpose by embracing a leadership role and being one of the team\u2019s most affable personalities. Just during his two media availability sessions at practice, Holiday\u2019s connection with his new teammates was evident in his interactions and how he praised them at every opportunity.<\/p>\n
On the second day of training camp, Blazers second-year center Donovan Clingan had just moved in front of the reporting scrum when Holiday casually strolled up, smoothie in hand, and booted the 21-year-old out of place to do his interview first. It\u2019ll be quick, it\u2019ll be quick, he said with assurance. The two-time NBA champion went on to call Clingan a talented player and a \u201ccool dude off the court,\u201d before moving on to give kudos to guard Shaedon Sharpe.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat boy can hoop,\u201d he said about Sharpe. \u201c \u2026 He\u2019s been cooking me.\u201d<\/p>\n
At practice the following week, Blazers players Jerami Grant and Duop Reath \u2014 participating in a nearby drill \u2014 announced Holiday to reporters as he walked up to the scrum for another interview. Jrue Holiday\u2026 Jrue Holiday, ladies and gentlemen, they took turns saying. Then guard Blake Wesley was the next Blazer to get the seal of approval from the six-time All-Defense honoree:<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s been whooping my ass, boy,\u201d Holiday said. \u201cHe\u2019s been at me, and it only makes me better, to be honest.\u201d<\/p>\n
The humble admission made one reporter lightheartedly wonder what was going on with Holiday\u2019s defense if both Sharpe and Wesley were getting the better of him.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m getting old, I\u2019m getting old,\u201d Holiday joked at first. \u201cNah. My defense isn\u2019t slipping, Shaedon\u2019s good. He makes tough shots, and he makes them look easy. And then you just have guys who have knacks for things. These guys are really good.\u201d<\/p>\n
Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups and other players have been just as complimentary of Portland\u2019s new acquisition. They\u2019ve commended Holiday for how hard he competes and his mentorship, saying he offers advice and pulls teammates aside to explain concepts.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s just so far ahead thinking the game based on his experience,\u201d Billups said. \u201dHe makes the game pretty easy for everybody out there. He puts you in the right position, offensively and defensively. Quite frankly, we haven\u2019t had a guy like that.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s been giving me a lot [of pointers],\u201d Wesley added. \u201cHe\u2019s been telling me to pick up full court, be more physical. Because he\u2019s a defender, too, so getting pointers from him is big.\u201d<\/p>\n
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