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#3 Jrue Holiday - 13.6
Jrue Holiday was one of the best two-way guards in the league for the duration of the 2017-18 season, but his efforts went under the radar as the Pelicans' big two grabbed most of the headlines in the initial stages of the season. His importance was underpinned after Cousins' Achilles injury after the conclusion of All-Star voting, as he rose to the challenge of increased offensive responsibility.
Holiday was arguably the Pelicans' most important player in the first round playoff series against the Trail Blazers. He was responsible for guarding Lillard, and it was his defense that caused Lillard Time to take a holiday (okay, forgive me for that pun) as the Pelicans swept Portland.
Holiday continued his excellent play against the Warriors, whose superior firepower eventually proved too much for New Orleans. Nevertheless, he makes the cut here as the third most irreplaceable player in the league - the Pelicans' net rating of 5.7 points per 100 possessions with him on the hardwood dropped to a pathetic -7.9 with him off it.
