When the Milwaukee Bucks traded for Damian Lillard last summer, they didn't anticipate Jrue Holiday ending up on the Boston Celtics. Fewer than nine months later, the Celtics have added an 18th championship banner to their all-time NBA ledger. Holiday transformed the Celtics into an entirely different team in ways both tangible and intangible.
A Game-Changer for Boston
Holiday thrived in a role where he did not have to be a primary scorer or creator. He filled in all the right gaps and elevated Boston's defense to a suffocating level. Brad Stevens' tenure with the Celtics has been marked by incredible trades, but many argue that acquiring Holiday surpassed even his other notable moves like landing Kristaps Porzingis and Derrick White.
Defensive Masterclass
Holiday's defensive prowess was particularly highlighted during the series against the Dallas Mavericks. He was Boston's most valuable player in that series, capable of shutting down any opponent. Until Jayson Tatum put up a line of 31-11-8-2 in the clincher on Monday, Holiday's Game 2 performance stood out as the single-game highlight of the series. To find another player who scored at least 38 points with zero turnovers through the first two games of an NBA Finals, you would have to look back to Michael Jordan in 1998.
The Mavericks' chances in the series dwindled as Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving found themselves unable to generate consistent offensive leverage. Although Jaylen Brown was impressive, it was Holiday who had Doncic and Irving in virtual shackles whenever he was on the floor. Holiday's consistency throughout the series was remarkable.
A Winning Addition
If you sign Holiday, then a title shot is almost guaranteed to follow. If Holiday were placed on the Knicks, Sixers, Clippers, or Lakers, those teams would be strong title contenders. Holiday is the only player in the league to win two championships over the last four years, playing a crucial role in leading the Bucks to the 2021 championship against the Suns and now driving the Celtics to their 18th banner.
Jalen Brunson recently called Holiday the best defender in the league. 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. His contributions extend beyond defense, as he consistently makes smart plays with the ball or cuts to the right spot. Holiday's ball-hawk instincts also help secure long offensive rebounds. He wrapped up the playoffs with impressive 50-40-95 shooting splits, averaging just under 15 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists on 53/42/100 splits in the Finals.
Exceptional Performance
Holiday scored the first six points for the Celtics on Monday, feasting in the dunker's spot all series as Tatum drew the defense's attention. Doncic and Irving were all too happy to fall asleep as Holiday slipped in behind them. Holiday earned himself a little more cash with the $1.2 million bonus worked into his contract for winning the championship and checked off every incentive bonus available to him, totaling an extra $2.8 million, in what has truly been a dream season.
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. In the world of professional sports, sometimes a single player can indeed make all the difference.
Praise from Peers
"I'm sure it happened at some point, but I can't recall Holiday getting truly beat one time in this series," stated an NBA analyst. "Against Doncic and Irving? That is an insane thing to say." Brunson said, "Holiday [is] the best defender in the league."
Jrue Holiday's arrival in Boston redefined the Celtics' championship aspirations. His versatile skill set, elite defense, and seamless integration into the team's dynamic have set a new standard for what one player can do to lift an entire franchise. Brad Stevens' decision to acquire Holiday might just be the crowning achievement of his tenure, securing not just one of the league's best defenders but a transformative presence that turned a perennial contender into a champion.