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NBA Draft: Guard Aaron Holiday brings strong lineage to pros

By Alex Mcewen

DAYTON, OH - MARCH 13: Aaron Holiday #3 of the UCLA Bruins reacts against the St. Bonaventure Bonnies during the first half of the First Four game in the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at UD Arena on March 13, 2018 in Dayton, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
DAYTON, OH - MARCH 13: Aaron Holiday #3 of the UCLA Bruins reacts against the St. Bonaventure Bonnies during the first half of the First Four game in the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at UD Arena on March 13, 2018 in Dayton, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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NBA Draft - Aaron Holiday
LAS VEGAS, NV – MARCH 9: UCLA guard Aaron Holiday (3) shoots over Arizona guard Rawle Alkins (1) during the semifinal game of the mens Pac-12 Tournament between the UCLA Bruins and the Arizona Wildcats on March 9, 2018, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Strengths: NBA Range

Aaron Holiday has a knack for hitting perimeter shots, he led the Bruins in made threes 88 and three-point percentage 42.9 percent. In fact, Holiday was one of seven players in the Pac-12 to attempt 200 or more threes, among those seven players he had the second-best percentage.

Holiday was not shooting an abundance of threes from the corner while watching film on Holiday it appeared many of his threes occurred on the right or left wing. Furthermore, Holiday could be seen taking threes from NBA distance, such as in the clip below.

Ability to finish in traffic

Aaron Holiday’s ability to finish through contract and traffic in the paint is superb. Considering Holiday stands at 5’11 without shoes makes his finishing ability that much more impressive.

The clip below demonstrates Holiday’s mentality to drive the lane and bring his defender off his feet. Although the shot was not beautiful, it counts for two-points regardless. If he can finish with the same proficiency in the NBA Holiday will have a lengthy and successful pro career.

Weaknesses: Relies strongly on outside shot

Holiday has real prowess on the perimeter, however, the young point guard at times can rely too heavily on his three-ball. For instance, the clip below from UCLA’s game against Washington State University.

In his defense, Holiday was fouled on the shot perhaps that is why his missed, yet he was off-balance when he attempted it. This type of shot can win or lose games in the NBA because it can swing momentum in the opponent’s favor. Holiday must refrain from taking wild shots or he could be riding the bench as a rookie.

Simply undersized

Aaron Holiday’s finishing ability deserves high praise, yet concerns about his size are valid. Holiday is one of the shortest prospects in the NBA Draft, that much we know, what is unknown is how that fact will affect the guard in the NBA.

The Washington State defender easily affected Holiday’s shot, the amount of long and lengthy defenders in the NBA is endless. Holiday may need to adapt former undersized point guard Nate Robinson‘s motto “Heart over height.” in order to make it in the big league.

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