Collins says Holiday's game can still take big leap

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Sixers general manager Tony DiLeo and head coach Doug Collins will begin the exit interviews with the players at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday when they will talk about the season and what can be worked on for next season.

When it comes to fourth-year point guard Jrue Holiday, Collins offered an early glimpse at what he may suggest to the team’s All-Star.

“I think if you talk to Jrue, he’ll tell you he needs to work on his stamina and the mental toughness of going through the entire season,” Collins said. “He told me the other day that after the All-Star break he hasn’t played as well. Playing all 82 and the demands of that position, the sky is still the limit for him.”

Holiday earned his All-Star berth by averaging 19 points and nine assists per game before the break. After the All-Star game, Holiday’s numbers dipped. He averaged 16.1 points, 6.9 assists and shot 39.5 percent from the field. That’s down from 45 percent during the first half.

Still, Collins believes Holiday is just beginning to scratch the surface of his potential. Still just 22 years old and headed into his fifth season, Collins thinks Holiday learned a lot during the season.

“I think he can still take a big leap,” Collins said. “We put a lot of responsibility on him and he’s only 22 and we had two key guys -- [Andre Iguodala] and Lou (Williams) -- who were a big part of Jrue. Then we made the decision to make the deal and then a lot responsibility fell to Evan (Turner) and Jrue.”

Collins was quick to point out that his prediction for Holiday came to pass. When he took over the Sixers before the 2010-11 season, Collins said Holiday could be one of the best guards in the game.

Guess what …

“Coming in I thought he’d be a top-five point guard, and our third year together he made the All-Star team and I’m very excited about that,” Collins said.

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