When the Milwaukee Bucks traded for Damian Lillard last summer, they did not 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, and Holiday has played an instrumental role in making this possible.
The Impact of Holiday's Presence
Holiday transformed the Celtics in both tangible and intangible ways. Thriving in a role where he did not need to be the primary scorer or creator, he filled all the right gaps, significantly elevating Boston's defense to a suffocating level. Brad Stevens' tenure with the Celtics has been marked by some incredible trades—landing Kristaps Porzingis and Derrick White are considered among his best moves in recent memory. Yet, many argue that acquiring Holiday surpassed even those achievements.
Defensive Dominance
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, Holiday's Game 2 performance had been the standout single-game showing in the series. You would have to go back to Michael Jordan in 1998 to find another player who scored at least 38 points with zero turnovers through the first two games of a Finals, as Holiday did against the Mavericks.
The Mavericks' chances 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. His consistency throughout the series was remarkable, leading many to believe that signing Holiday almost guarantees a title shot. If he were placed on teams like the Knicks, Sixers, Clippers, or Lakers, he'd undoubtedly put them right in the mix for a championship.
A Proven Winner
Holiday is the only player in the league to win two championships over the last four years. He played a crucial role in leading the Bucks to the 2021 championship against the Suns by rendering Chris Paul ineffective. Holiday’s lateral movement, flexibility, strength, and anticipation are otherworldly. Jalen Brunson recently called Holiday the best defender in the league, and it’s easy to see why. Holiday demoralizes opponents to the point where they hesitate to even want the ball in their hands.
His contributions extend beyond defense. He consistently makes smart plays with the ball and 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. In the Finals, he averaged just under 15 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists on 53/42/100 shooting splits. He 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.
A Rewarding Season
This sensational season also brought financial rewards for Holiday. He earned an extra $1.2 million bonus worked into his contract for winning the championship, checking off every incentive bonus available to him, totaling an additional $2.8 million. In less than a year, Holiday went from learning 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.
Immeasurable Impact
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. 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." Jalen Brunson echoed this sentiment, stating, "Holiday [is] the best defender in the league."
Indeed, the Boston Celtics' acquisition of Jrue Holiday not only added another chapter to the team's illustrious history but also underscored the immense value of elite defense and versatility in the modern NBA. As the Celtics celebrate their 18th championship banner, the impact of Jrue Holiday cannot be overstated.