When the Milwaukee Bucks traded for Damian Lillard last summer, they didn't anticipate Jrue Holiday ending up on the Boston Celtics. Yet, fewer than nine months later, the Celtics have added an 18th championship banner to their all-time NBA ledger, and much of their success can be attributed to Jrue Holiday's remarkable impact on the team.
A Transformative Addition
Holiday made the Celtics an entirely different team in ways both tangible and intangible. Thriving in a role where he did not have to be a primary scorer or creator, Holiday filled in all the right gaps and elevated Boston's defense to a suffocating level. His acquisition stands out even among the notable trades orchestrated by Brad Stevens, including landing Kristaps Porzingis and Derrick White. Many argue that acquiring Holiday surpassed even those achievements.
Holiday's Defensive Prowess
Holiday's defensive skills were particularly highlighted during the series against the Dallas Mavericks. He was Boston's most valuable player in that series, demonstrating an incredible ability to shut down any opponent. Holiday's Game 2 performance was the standout single-game showing in the series until Jayson Tatum's line of 31-11-8-2 in the clincher on Monday. Remarkably, Holiday became the first player since Michael Jordan in 1998 to score at least 38 points with zero turnovers through the first two games of a Finals.
The Mavericks' chances in the series dwindled as Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving found themselves unable to generate consistent offensive leverage. Although Jaylen Brown also impressed, it was Holiday who had Doncic and Irving in virtual shackles whenever he was on the floor.
A Consistent Performer
Holiday's consistency throughout the series was remarkable. If you sign him, then a title shot is almost guaranteed to follow. Even if placed on the Knicks, Sixers, Clippers, or Lakers, Holiday could make those teams title contenders. He is the only player in the league to have won two championships over the last four years, having played a crucial role in leading the Bucks to the 2021 championship against the Suns and rendering Chris Paul ineffective in that series.
Jalen Brunson recently called Holiday the best defender in the league, and for good reason. Holiday's lateral movement, flexibility, strength, and anticipation are otherworldly. He demoralizes opponents to the point where they hesitate to even want the ball in their hands.
Beyond Defense
Holiday's contributions extended beyond just defense. He consistently made smart plays with the ball or cut to the right spot, and his ball-hawk instincts helped secure long offensive rebounds. He wrapped up the playoffs with impressive 50-40-95 shooting splits. In the Finals, Holiday averaged just under 15 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists on 53/42/100 shooting splits. In the clinching game on Monday, Holiday scored the first six points for the Celtics, feasting in the dunker's spot throughout the series as Tatum drew the defense's attention.
Doncic and Irving were all too happy to fall asleep as Holiday slipped in behind them, further showcasing his smart play and impeccable timing. Furthermore, Holiday earned himself a little more cash with the $1.2 million bonus worked into his contract for winning the championship, checking off every incentive bonus available to him and totaling an extra $2.8 million in what has truly been a dream season.
A Hall of Fame Career
In less than a year, Holiday went from discovering he had been traded from the Bucks upon waking from a nap to winning the second championship of what is becoming a Hall of Fame career. Holiday’s impact on the Celtics has been immeasurable, proving that in the world of professional sports, sometimes a single player can indeed make all the difference.
Testimonials
An NBA analyst stated, "I'm sure it happened at some point, but I can't recall Holiday getting truly beat one time in this series. Against Doncic and Irving? That is an insane thing to say." Brunson also emphasized, "Holiday [is] the best defender in the league."
All in all, Jrue Holiday's arrival in Boston has not only cemented his legacy but also solidified the Celtics' position as a dominant force in the NBA. As the green banner rises, it stands as a testament to the transformative power one exceptional player can bring to a franchise.