Inside The Nuggets

Legendary NBA Coach Makes Shocking Damian Lillard vs. Jrue Holiday Claim

Former Denver Nuggets coach George Karl says Jrue Holiday is better than Damian Lillard in the playoffs

Joey Linn

Legendary NBA Coach Makes Shocking Damian Lillard vs. Jrue Holiday Claim
Legendary NBA Coach Makes Shocking Damian Lillard vs. Jrue Holiday Claim /
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With the Milwaukee Bucks parting ways with Jrue Holiday in their trade for Damian Lillard, many have noted the major loss Holiday will be, even with the addition of Lillard. That said, most of these people recognize this was a deal Milwaukee needed to make, as Lillard's overall impact is greater than Holiday's come playoff time.

One person who does not believe Lillard's impact outweighs Holiday's is former Denver Nuggets head coach George Karl. Appearing on SiriusXM NBA Radio, Karl said, "I think [Damian] Lillard probably makes them more exciting, more explosive. I think he'll go in there with some excitement being on a team that can win a championship. But to be honest with you, in the playoffs, [Jrue] Holiday might be better than Lillard. And I know statistically that won't prove out, but the intangibles that Holiday brings to the game, that's what wins playoff games. The little things."

This is certainly a bold claim, because while Holiday has been an integral piece to Milwaukee's success since his arrival, his offensive playoff struggles have often made life difficult on the Bucks. Of course coming through in some big moments, specifically on the defensive end, Holiday was huge in Milwaukee's 2021 title run. That said, he also had some very poor offensive games which made things difficult on the Bucks. 

For Lillard, this is a great opportunity to prove people like Karl wrong.

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Joey Linn
JOEY LINN

Title: Credentialed writer covering the NBA for Sports Illustrated's FanNation Email: joeylinn52@gmail.com Education: Communication Studies degree from Biola University Location: Los Angeles, California Expertise: NBA analysis and reporting Experience: Joey Linn is a credentialed writer covering the NBA for Sports Illustrated's FanNation. Covering the LA Clippers independently in 2018, then for Fansided and 213Hoops from 2019-2021, Joey joined Sports Illustrated's FanNation to cover the Clippers after the 2020-21 season. Graduating from Biola University in 2022 with a Communication Studies degree, Joey served as Biola's play-by-play announcer for their basketball, baseball, softball, and soccer teams during his time in school. Joey's work on Biola's broadcasts, combined with his excellence in the classroom, earned him the Outstanding Communication Studies Student of the year award in 2022. Joey covers the NBA full-time across multiple platforms, primarily serving as a credentialed Clippers beat writer.

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