In many respects, the swapping of Jrue Holiday and Eric Bledsoe will not fundamentally change how the Pelicans – or starting backcourt mate Lonzo Ball – play this season. However, one of the biggest differences between New Orleans’ old starting point guard and their new one is the speed at which they play the game.
Whereas Holiday often played at a more methodical pace as he picked and chose his spots, Bledsoe is known to be one of the fastest players in the league, particularly amongst guards. Paired with Ball’s eagerness to push the ball up the court, the Pelicans could sport one of the quickest guard duos in the league.
That aspect alone will change how the Pelicans can attack teams this season. On Thursday, Ball talked about if his game would need to change playing alongside Bledsoe.
“I don’t think so,” Ball said. “I think it’ll be kind of the same thing. It’s probably going to be one of the fastest backcourts in the league, so that’s a plus. Just try to get him the ball as much as possible and start the break. I know Eric’s great in transition and I know he’s a great penetrator as well. For me, when he has the ball, give him space, spot up and be ready to knock it down for him.”
One of the areas that will largely remain the same is on the defensive end. In recent seasons, Bledsoe is one of the few guards who can compare himself to Holiday on that end of the court. Bledsoe earned All-Defensive Second Team honors for the 2019-20 season, though Holiday’s lack of recognition on the All-Defense teams last year was a point of contention.
“I think his mindset is one thing and then obviously his athletic ability,” Ball said of what makes Bledsode such a strong defender. “He can get into the ball. He’s very quick, very strong and his lateral movement is great as well. All those things put together makes a good defensive player.”
Holiday and Ball earned a reputation as one of the stingier pair of defenders together in New Orleans and that likely won’t change this season despite the new faces.