In the Los Angeles Lakers’ 90-87 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder, point guard Russell Westbrook lit them up for 22 points, 6 assists, and 6 rebounds. During All-star weekend, I had a chance to catch up with a player who may help be able to help the Lakers someday.
These Lakers frequently struggle to defend lightening-quick point guards like Oklahoma City Thunder’s Russell Westbrook, the San Antonio Spurs’ Tony Parker, and the Phoenix Suns’ Steve Nash. But there is at least one good long-term solution. Let me be the first to suggest 76ers star point guard Jrue Holiday would be a great fit on the Lakers.
While 5-time champion Derek Fisher (36) wants to play as long as he can, the Lakers should look to add a quick, defensive-minded point guard. Who else can replace fill that spot?
2011
Deron Williams’ contract expires at the end of this season, but he has just been traded to a new team with a new owner. We’ll see how that plays out.
2012 Selected Free Agent Point Guards
Baron Davis
Chris Paul (who has interest in the Knicks)
Andre Miller
Kirk Hinrich
Although his contract is not soon to expire, Holiday is a good point guard that the Lakers could either trade for or sign as a free-agent in a few years (he is only 20).
Holiday is a promising, young point guard in the NBA.
Jrue Holiday 2011
| PPG | APG | SPG | RPG | FG% | 3PT% |
| 13.8 | 6.2 | 1.5 | 3.9 | 44.6% | 37.1% |
This season Holiday is surpassing his rookie statistics in all of those categories, aside from 3’s (39% in ’10).
Holiday is top-10 among point guards (PG’s) in several categories: steals, rebounds, blocks, and double-doubles. In fact, Holiday is 4th (among PG’s) in blocks behind only Jason Kidd, Russell Westbrook, and Derrick Rose. As a young, improving player, Holiday is also increasing his assists, scoring, 3-point %, and field goal % (all of which he’s in the top 20 among point guards).
Not only is he a good player, but Holiday is leading the Philadelphia 76ers back to the playoffs this season.
Over All-star weekend at the Snoop Dogg 3-on-3 Tournament, I caught up with Jrue Holiday and on behalf of The Hoop Doctors, I asked him about taking the Sixers to the playoffs, and, hypothetically, playing for the Lakers in the future.
Holiday is a gracious person of high character, so he seems like he’d be a good fit on and off the court for the Los Angeles Lakers.
Rob S. De France is a College and University instructor of English Composition living in Los Angeles. He has a B.A. in English and an M.A. in Rhetoric, Composition, and Writing. De France has played, coached, and officiated competitive high school basketball in California for many years. Recently, De France, his wife, and another colleague started an internationally read magazine at Shwibly.com.
