(All stats accurate as of 12/8/23)
Hoops runs in the Holiday family. There’s not just one, or two, but three Holiday brothers in the NBA. In 2019, they became the first trio of siblings to play in the same game. Everybody knows the middle child, Jrue, whose resume includes All-Star and All-Defense appearances as well as a championship. Many fans are probably familiar with the eldest brother too, Justin, who has played over 10 years in the pros. The youngest of the three, though, is more unknown in the NBA world.
Drafted in 2018 by the Pacers, Aaron Holiday carved out a rotational role early on in his career. He started half the games he played in his sophomore season. Since being traded by Indiana in 2021, he has bounced around the league, playing some productive minutes but never finding a home. He touched down in Houston via free agency this past summer, and the move got very little attention from fans or media. With the way he’s playing since he entered their rotation, though, he deserves more buzz.
Like his brother Jrue, Aaron Holiday is a stout guard with a flair for defense. Although he stands at a mere six-foot flat, Holiday is packed solid with a strong core. He weighs in at 185 pounds, giving him a BMI that falls in the (very) slightly overweight range. He uses that frame to his advantage on defense— he’s undeterred by screens and unshaken by push-offs. Offensive players have to WORK to create separation when being guarded by Holiday. On top of his physical tools, Holiday has a dogged and determined mindset. He takes pride in locking up, often picking up ball handlers full court, and that tenacity is what makes him such a good defender.
Holiday’s defensive-minded playstyle is what made him a perfect addition for Houston. The team had struggled tremendously since James Harden’s departure in 2020. They were severely lacking energy and grit and quite frankly just didn’t care. Culture was nonexistent. This past summer, the front office made it a point to address those issues, bringing in head coach Ime Udoka and a group of veteran players who would help turn things around in H-Town. Holiday was part of that mix, and he’s been a key cog of the top-five defense created by the offseason overhaul. He’s part of Houston’s three best defensive lineups (according to DRTG, minimum 15 minutes played), a testament to the value he provides.
A specific reason why Holiday is such an important contributor to Houston’s defense is because a fundamental part of their game plan is switching screens, both on and off the ball. Holiday’s frame allows him to effectively cover both guards, big wings, and occasionally forwards, meaning he fits right into the scheme.
Take this possession, for example. Holiday’s man sets a screen at the top of the arc for Luka Doncic, one of the NBA’s most formidable offensive forces. Holiday steps right up to the level of the screen and he and his teammate, Fred VanVleet, execute the switch seamlessly. Holiday is then matched up against Doncic in isolation, which would have most players shaking in their sneakers. Doncic can usually get wherever he wants on the court, whenever he wants, especially against a smaller defender. Not on Holiday, though. When Doncic tries to go to his signature stepback, Holiday stays glued to him and challenges the shot excellently without fouling.
Defense is his strong suit, but Holiday is no slouch offensively either. His skillset makes him a snug fit in any attack as a complementary piece. He’s at his best spotting up and hunting triples— he’s knocked down 52.8% of his catch-and-shoot threes this season, a sizzling figure. On December 6th versus the Thunder, he tied his career high by hitting six threes. He’s comfortable playing some point guard, too. He’s a solid pick-and-roll ball handler who can get to the rim and finish or make a good read and hit the roll man. He’s just smart with the ball overall and doesn’t make things harder than they need to be. He’s averaging just 0.4 turnovers and dishing out 2.2 dimes per game on the season.
Holiday’s contribution extends beyond just on-court productivity. As a sixth-year pro, he’s been asked to play a leadership role on this young Houston team, helping the youngsters grow into the best versions of themselves. In an interview with HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto, Holiday spoke on this new challenge.
“This is probably the first place I’ve really had to be a leader. Other places, I’ve led in certain ways, but coming here, I felt that I could really help these guys out… All I try to instill is working hard and playing the game the right way… these guys are talented and just need a little bit of guidance.”
Guidance and veteran presence is exactly what the Rockets needed, and Holiday has answered the call. He’s been an immensely valuable member of the team, embracing his role on and off the court and helping establish a winning culture. The other Holiday brother is making a name for himself in H-Town. Take notice.
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