Former Milwaukee Bucks guard Jrue Holiday had a unique experience playing against a five-time NBA champion before his college stint. Holiday appeared as a guest on the latest episode of “Podcast P with Paul George and spoke about his experience playing against the former starting point guard of the Los Angeles Lakers, Derek Fisher.
Before even stepping foot on an NBA court, Holiday got to play against Fisher. However, after playing against the 6-foot-2 point guard, the two-time champion had a revelation of his dreams of playing at the professional level.
“Before I went to UCLA, I might have been like 14 or 15 and they got the runs up at UCLA,” Holiday recalled. “That’s the first time I went up against Derek Fisher. And that was the first time I knew I wasn’t ready for the NBA.”
Holiday did not elaborate on Fisher’s actions toward him on the court. However, he highlighted the defensive tenacity that the former NBA guard displayed against him.
“Can’t go nowhere, seatbelt. And I’m like, ‘Alright yeah, I’m not ready.’ That was one of the first moments I was like, ‘Man, he not taking it easy on a little 15-year-old kid.’ He one of the biggest shot-makers, most reliable people that you’ll ever be on the court with. So, it’s not just defense, he also doing it on the offensive end.”
Derek Fisher made Jrue Holiday realize he wasn’t ready for the NBA 😂 pic.twitter.com/SX9eYc0HJh
— Podcast P with Paul George (@PodcastPShow) December 5, 2024
Holiday played a mature game while attending UCLA, averaging 8.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game. His experience with Fisher prepared him for the tough environment in the pro league and made him one of the most important players for the Milwaukee Bucks’ title run in 2021.
Holiday called his former Milwaukee Bucks teammate “cheap”
Milwaukee Bucks fans are aware of the story of All-Star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo. Due to his family’s financial instability, the Bucks franchise star had difficulties in his early years. Nevertheless, Antetokounmpo’s performance and income have improved since he was picked by the team in 2013.
His former teammate, however, said Giannis is one of the cheapest people despite his $70 million net worth.
“He also the cheapest son of a b—- that I know,” Holiday said of Antetokounmpo (1:13:57). “He got all that money. But again, I think it’s just ’cause where he started from. He really didn’t have no money. And now he still like he ain’t got no money.”
“But Giannis one of my favorite people,” he said. “Especially me and him, I think we complemented each other very, very well. And it was fun. My time in Milwaukee was fun, man – got my first chip.”
Despite being cheap, Giannis helped Holiday win his first NBA title.
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Reign also writes NBA and WNBA news updates on Sportskeeda. He started as a feature writer for AirAlamo, an NBA website that covers the San Antonio Spurs. Some of his work can also be seen with Valley of the Suns, a Phoenix Suns-centric website, where he served as a contributing writer.
