Welcome to the grinder, Jrue. Milwaukee Bucks’ guard Jrue Holiday is facing the critics coming into his first playoff appearance with the Milwaukee Bucks. Weirdly after Holiday noted that the Bucks are more talented than the Miami Heat, he started to hear some smoke too. Max Kellerman got on First Take today and said that he only guards smaller guards. If you’ve watched a few Bucks games this year, you know that’s categorically false. Second, you have this scout saying that there is barely any difference between Eric Bledsoe and Jrue Holiday. The quote is stunning and worth a read. This could not be more off-base.

"People think Holiday is this great defender; he’s not. Good defender, not a great defender . . . I’m not as sold on Holiday as others. Eric Bledsoe was pretty good last year; it’s a difference but not a huge difference to me in their play."

– NBA scout 😳
(Via @flasportsbuzz) pic.twitter.com/QwRmUi2Rwv

— NBA Central (@TheNBACentral) May 19, 2021

Here’s the thing… Bledsoe was good pre-pandemic. He sucked in the playoffs. For whatever reason, Bledsoe could not perform in the playoffs. He shot under 30 percent in both of Milwaukee’s exits from the outside and did not have an impact in either game. He also got wrapped up in a beef with Terry Rozier that he lost. Holiday doesn’t have much playoff experience, but he’s been great thus far. Holiday locked up Damian Lillard for a four-game sweep and had a game with 38 points. Bledsoe does not have those things.

I hope Holiday goes for fucking 50 on Saturday afternoon.

Charlie.