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.
A Game-Changing Acquisition
Jrue Holiday's arrival in Boston made the Celtics an entirely different team, both in tangible and intangible ways. Holiday thrived in a role where he did not have to be the primary scorer or creator. Instead, he filled all the right gaps and elevated Boston's defense to a suffocating level. Brad Stevens' tenure with the Celtics has been marked by some incredible trades, including landing Kristaps Porzingis and Derrick White. Many argue that acquiring Holiday surpassed even those achievements.
Defensive Brilliance
Holiday's defensive prowess was particularly highlighted during the series against the Dallas Mavericks. He emerged as Boston's most valuable player in that series, capable of shutting down any opponent. While Jayson Tatum's 31-11-8-2 performance in the clinching game was impressive, Holiday's Game 2 showing stood out. To find another player who scored at least 38 points with zero turnovers through the first two games of a Finals, one would have to go back to Michael Jordan in 1998.
The Mavericks' chances in the series dwindled as Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving struggled to generate consistent offensive leverage. Jaylen Brown was also impressive, but it was Holiday who had Doncic and Irving in virtual shackles whenever he was on the floor. His consistency throughout the series was remarkable.
A Proven Winner
Holiday is the only player in the league to have won two championships over the last four years. He played a crucial role in leading the Bucks to the 2021 championship against the Suns, rendering Chris Paul ineffective. Jalen Brunson recently called Holiday the best defender in the league, and it's easy to see why. 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 extend beyond defense. He consistently makes smart plays with the ball or cuts to the right spot. His ball-hawk instincts also help 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.
Holiday scored the first six points for the Celtics in the clinching game, feasting in the dunker's spot all series as Tatum drew the defense's attention. Doncic and Irving were often caught napping as Holiday slipped in behind them. His stellar performance earned him a little more cash, with a $1.2 million bonus worked into his contract for winning the championship. He checked off every incentive bonus available to him, totaling an extra $2.8 million in what has truly been a dream season.
A Hall of Fame Career in the Making
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.
Expert Opinions and Accolades
NBA analysts have been effusive in their praise of Holiday. One 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, saying, "Holiday [is] the best defender in the league."
Jrue Holiday's journey from Milwaukee to Boston might have been unexpected, but his impact has been nothing short of extraordinary. As the Celtics celebrate their latest championship, much of the credit belongs to Holiday, a player who has proven that he can indeed make all the difference.