New Blazer Jrue Holiday Is Embracing His Role With Portland

New Blazer Jrue Holiday Is Embracing His Role With Portland

The Portland Trail Blazers made the difficult decision to part ways with Anfernee Simons in the offseason. They wanted to keep doubling down on coach Chauncey Billups’ vision of playing well on defense. Holiday is the team’s latest addition, and he will boost the team’s defensive potential.

Portland was already a fantastic defensive team due to Toumani Camara and Deni Avdija leading the way. With Holiday joining the team, they have one of this generation’s best defenders. He is not only a fantastic defender but also a tremendous mentor to the younger players like Henderson.

Holiday Will Do His Best To Help The Blazers

As a veteran guard, Holiday will play a significant role in helping the team. This is still a team that consists of multiple young players, such as Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe. The Trail Blazers’ front office aims to find a balance between the youth and veterans.

Holiday is still a high-level player, which bodes well for the short-term future. However, his impact on the young players might be more important than people realize. He will be a productive player on both ends, while making Henderson, Sharpe, and other young players shine.

Holiday is ready to play any role for Billups, which is a good sign for his future with the Blazers.

“I think I play every position. I’ve proven that and shown that throughout my career. I’m a complete basketball player. You can’t put one position on someone, the way the game is changing now. Guys who have never played point guard are coming into the league and playing point guard. I’m a good fit with anyone,” Holiday said in his introductory press conference.

The Value Of A Mentor For The Young Blazers

As the veteran voices in the locker room, Holiday and Damian Lillard are excited to work together. Lillard will not play a game in the 2025-26 season, but he will be a vital voice for the team. As Billups said, he will be the highest-paid assistant coach ever.

Considering the two veteran guards are in their mid-30s, they are in the right window to help the young players. If Henderson and Sharpe remain patient, they won’t have a perceived problem with the team’s depth. Working well with the veterans should not be a problem, considering they will be helpful.

Some people might think about the two veterans getting in the way, but that is not what’s happening. They want to help, as detailed in both of their press conferences. Lillard knows what it takes to be a Blazers legend, while Holiday is a two-time champion.

“They have a great coaching staff that have done a lot, and a Hall of Fame coach in Chauncey. But I think as a current player who’s been through it not too long ago, as far as going through the struggle to win a championship, I still have that feeling and that itch. I’m closer to what that feeling is and how hard it is to actually win,” Holiday continued.

The young Blazers will be fine as long as they take the lessons to heart. The foundation is there, and Portland could surprise some people in the 2025-26 season. They will be one of the league’s best defensive teams, but they are also looking to make strides on offense.