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Holiday appreciates support from LeBron, NBA

Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

New Orleans Pelicans point guard Jrue Holiday is finding out how tight a fraternity the NBA can be. Prior to Monday's loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers, LeBron James approached him and offered support and words of encouragement regarding Holiday's wife.

Lauren Holiday, a former U.S. women's national soccer team Olympic gold medalist, is recuperating from an October operation to remove a benign brain tumor - performed shortly after she gave birth to the couple's first child. As a result, Jrue missed the Pelicans' first 12 games to tend to his family.

"To know that this league and somebody of (James') caliber and the effect that he has on the game like he does can really have support for my family is awesome," Jrue told ESPN's Dave McMenamin.

"I've gotten it probably every game - whether it's from referees or from players, I've gotten it every game," Jrue added. "I guess for our league to acknowledge that and for it to feel like a brotherhood, that's really what it feels like."

James echoed the thoughts on "brotherhood."

"When ... me and my family and my wife heard about it, we were in L.A. at the time in the offseason and we automatically had a prayer for (Holiday's wife)," James said. "This is a brotherhood, no matter if you're on the same team or not, this is a fraternity. Our league is a fraternity. Any time someone's family is going through a situation like that, you just hope the greater God above is looking out for him. So, I couldn't wait to actually see him today."

Lauren Holiday and the couple's daughter are doing well.

"She's alive, and I'm blessed for that," Jrue said. "My daughter is OK. So, I'm happy. I'm doing well. My wife is a lot better so I'm doing a lot better."

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