Indiana Pacers: Reviewing Aaron Holiday’s 2019-20 season

The Indiana Pacers spent a first-round pick on guard Aaron Holiday in the 2018 NBA Draft. How did the youngster fare in his second season with the Pacers?

In typical Indiana Pacers fashion, Aaron Holiday played a very limited role during his rookie season. Despite playing in 50 games as a rookie, Holiday only averaged about 13 minutes per game but was effective in those minutes.

Entering his sophomore season, Holiday now had two star-caliber guards in front of him in Malcolm Brogdon and Victor Oladipo. Thanks to injuries throughout the season, Holiday was thrust into the lineup, playing in 66 games and starting 33 of them.

His minutes nearly doubled as he saw the court for 24.5 minutes per night, and his numbers did the same. There is plenty to build upon with the soon-to-be 24-year-old point guard.

Confidence is the key

Aaron Holiday just needed to see some of his shots go down and he was ready to contribute. In his rookie season, Holiday shot just 40.1 percent from the field and 33.9 percent from beyond the arc. He worked to improve those numbers and boasted an average of 9.5 points per game on .414/.394/.851 clips, all career highs.

Being on the court for longer stretches allowed Holiday to get rolling on offense and attack the basket. He attempted 8.5 shots per game and knocked down the big shots when the offense needed them.

Holiday posted three games of at least 23 points, including a dominant performance in a win over the Nets on Nov. 18. He finished with 24 points, 13 assists, and six rebounds. He finished the season with 14 games with at least 15 points as well.

All of his numbers improved at the same rate as his total minutes. While he averaged fewer points per 36 minutes this season, he also attempted fewer shots. Holiday, up to this point, has been a consistent contributor on the offensive end of the floor.

Down in Orlando during the NBA Playoffs, Holiday saw a dip in playing time and production. He only saw the court for 18 minutes a night and only attempted 5.3 shots per game. His points dropped to just 7.8 per game, including a scoreless game four in which he played just under 13 minutes. He did shoot 57 percent from the field and 44 percent from deep in the playoff sweep to the Heat.

Looking at the future

The future is very bright for the young Aaron Holiday. He is still learning from two of the best guards in the NBA and has plenty of room to grow as a player. He also has the confidence and mentality to take over games when he feels it is necessary.

Holiday, whether we want to admit it or not, was arguably the best shot-creator on the Pacers at times last season. If he can continue to find shots for himself and his teammates, his role will continue to evolve.

With an unlucky injury history in Indiana, Holiday will always hold value on the roster. He has shown the ability to step into a starting role and effectively lead the offense. At the same time, he is the perfect ball handler for the second unit should he need to take that role.

Aaron Holiday has been a nice addition as a late first-round draft pick and the Pacers should continue to tailor the game to his strengths.