UCLA Basketball: Aaron Holiday, THE 6th Man

The UCLA Basketball team has an explosive starting lineup, but their secret weapon is coming off the bench. That would be sophomore guard Aaron Holiday.

What do you think of when the words “UCLA Basketball” are spoken?

Lonzo Ball? TJ Leaf? The Alford brand?

Chances are the name Aaron Holiday may not be the first name you think of and that is a good thing. And why is that? Holiday is UCLA’s secret weapon and teams will not be ready for him.

Related Story: The UCLA Basketball All-Time Team

Aaron Holiday is a very special player that has one of the more important roles on this team. This season he is performing better than last (he has more points, rebounds and assists compared to last year), but unless you religiously follow UCLA Basketball, you might miss out on what exactly it is he is doing.

Holiday was in the starting lineup last season but has graciously stepped back so that freshman point guard Ball could lead this team. With Holiday taking a new role off the bench, he easily could have transferred after last season (foreseeing this new role), pouted on the sidelines or put in less effort.

More from Go Joe Bruin

• UCLA Football: It’s time for the nation to meet Dante Moore
• UCLA Football: Where are they ranked heading into week 4
• UCLA Football: Position battle breakdown for Utah showdown
• UCLA vs. Utah: Location, time, prediction, and more
• UCLA Football: Highlights from Chip Kelly’s appearance on the Jim Rome Show

Holiday has gone in the opposite direction. He has owned his role and made it another weapon that UCLA’s opponents have to worry about and believe me, the opposition needs to worry about Holiday.

All five of UCLA’s starters are scoring in double digits, as well as Holiday. He is putting up 12.9 ppg and doing it almost immediately when he enters the game. Not only does he score, he scores all at once. He basically creates his own runs against opponents.

Holiday’s style has complimented the Bruins’ mannerisms in this early part of the season. UCLA has often started off slow in several games, so when Holiday is injected into the lineup, he is the spark the offense needs, which usually gets the entire team in gear.

Holiday’s presence is essential to the Bruins and because of that is one of the more important players on this team. On top of all that, he is the best defender in the back court. The all-around game of Holiday is something  the Bruins need this season.

Holiday brings a fire that is unmatched on this squad. He is ferocious, determined and will not let anyone get in his way.

Honestly, the way he is playing reminds me a little bit of Russell Westbrook during the 2006-07 season. Darren Collison was running the show that year as starting PG, but once Westbrook entered the game, he was a wrecking ball. That is how I see Holiday,

Next: UCLA Gets Big Production From The Big Men

Holiday’s production will be needed all season long and if he stays committed to it, not only will he have a great sophomore season (which could have NBA Draft implications), but he will help the Bruins get back to an elite level of success. This is what Holiday brings and it is fantastic.