Jrue Holiday deserves better than this.
Of course, it’s no one’s fault.
But, when the most respected player in the history of the New Orleans Pelicans makes his first regular-season return to the city, there should be more than a smattering of fans in attendance to pay their respects.
But those are the circumstances the Pelicans find themselves in entering Friday night’s game against the Milwaukee Bucks.
While the city has doubled the Smoothie King Center capacity — now allowing nearly 1,500 people thanks to slightly eased COVID-19 restrictions — it’s still not worthy of Holiday’s homecoming.
Yes, there will probably be a tribute video, as there was the day Holiday’s trade to Milwaukee was formalized. And (despite the NBA’s virus rules) there will be some kind exchanges of pleasantries and hugs with Pels staffers and former teammates.
But this should’ve been a momentous night. The kind of rare opportunity for New Orleans to show it isn’t just a place of sports bitterness.
You know, the reputation of blindfolded refs, bagged heads and boos.
In the franchise’s history, these kind of events are typically met by the same kind of curiosity as watching a Bravo reality drama. The spurned letting loose on those who wronged them.
Anthony Davis was met with a cavalcade of boos last year. They rained down every time he touched the ball, en route to a 41-point outing. It prompted national talk shows to debate the merits of fans’ hostility and whether it was an over the top reaction (it wasn’t).
Chris Paul was met with similar sounds of disgust in his first trip back here as well. The fact he almost literally saved the franchise’s fate in New Orleans was forgotten in the immediate aftermath of a public trade request.
They aren’t the only ones.
J.R. Smith was booed for years. So was Eric Gordon, who won the 2017 3-point contest while getting jeered from the All-Star Saturday Night crowd.
And some wrath is saved for opponents who never suited up for the team at all — tormenters like Dirk Nowitzki, Manu Ginobli and Draymond Green.
All told, mercilessly booing individual players might be the most lasting tradition in the city’s run with professional basketball. Though, it’s mostly in good fun, like taunting the pro wrestling heel.
But this would’ve been completely different. And perhaps unprecedented.
Holiday left New Orleans with his reputation completely intact.
Although he never achieved the on-court greatness reached by Davis and Paul, Holiday was cherished here for the way he conducted himself. Whether it was on or off the floor, from the start of his seven-year tenure, all the way until the end of it.
While his performance in a 2018 playoff sweep over the Portland Trail Blazers will be long remembered, playing a pivotal role in the team’s pinnacle achievement of the decade, it was his day-to-day conduct and reliability that earned him such widespread support.
As the Pelicans routinely underachieved, getting besieged by injuries, turmoil and turnover, Holiday never let any dissatisfaction show. When dysfunction surrounded him, Holiday never dodged a question or took the chance to skip a game.
He kept showing up. He kept serving in his role as the face of the team.
Holiday donated the remainder of his salary last year (nearly $5 million) to struggling Black-owned businesses, many in the New Orleans area. In 2017 he was one of the only public figures who donated to help those affected by a tornado in New Orleans East.
He did gift drives at Christmas. And spoke to fans with gratitude on opening night.
Over time, those things all made an impact. More than an All-Star appearance ever could.
“The fans throughout the beautiful city of New Orleans always had our back,” Holiday wrote last month upon his departure. “We loved New Orleans and you loved us back, more than we ever could have dreamed of. New Orleans will always hold a special place in our hearts. I am forever grateful for every minute my family and I have spent with you.”
And in a just world, many more Pelicans fans would’ve been able to reciprocate that fondness in person.
But these are strange times. And instead, just 1,500 of them will speak as a proxy Friday night.
It may sound like those familiar boos, but rest assured it’s going to be a continuous “Jruuuue”. And there should’ve been full stands and a standing ovation to accompany it.
So even if this isn’t the proper return, it will at least be something.
Holiday has earned that. And so much more.
The Link LonkJanuary 29, 2021 at 06:22AM
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Kushner: Jrue Holiday will get pandemic-altered homecoming but deserves so much more - NOLA.com
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