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. The central figure in this triumph? Jrue Holiday.
A Transformative Force
Holiday made the Celtics an entirely different team in ways both tangible and intangible. He thrived in a role where he did not have to be a primary scorer or creator, filling in all the right gaps and elevating Boston's defense to a suffocating level. Indeed, Brad Stevens' tenure with the Celtics has been marked by some incredible trades, but many argue that acquiring Holiday surpassed even his best moves, including landing Kristaps Porzingis and Derrick White.
Defensive Maestro
Holiday's defensive prowess was particularly highlighted during the series against the Dallas Mavericks. Capable of shutting down any opponent, he was Boston's most valuable player in that series. Until Jayson Tatum put up a line of 31-11-8-2 in the clincher, Holiday's Game 2 performance was the standout single-game showing. 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 Dallas.
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. His consistency throughout the series was remarkable, demoralizing opponents to the point where they hesitated to even want the ball in their hands.
A Championship Pedigree
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, where he rendered Chris Paul ineffective. Recently, Jalen Brunson called Holiday the best defender in the league, a sentiment echoed by many. His lateral movement, flexibility, strength, and anticipation are otherworldly, making him a formidable opponent for any offensive player.
If a team signs Holiday, a title shot is almost guaranteed. If he were placed on the Knicks, the Sixers, the Clippers, or the Lakers, and if those teams didn't win a title, they would certainly be right in the mix. Holiday's contributions, however, extend beyond defense. He consistently makes smart plays with the ball, cuts to the right spots, and his ball-hawk instincts also help secure long offensive rebounds.
Offensive Contributions
Holiday 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. On Monday, Holiday scored the first six points for the Celtics, 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.
Incentives and Accolades
Holiday earned himself a little more cash with the $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. 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.
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. As one 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 further reiterated, "Holiday [is] the best defender in the league."
Jrue Holiday has cemented his status as one of the elite players in the NBA. Whether on defense or contributing crucial points, he has shown that he can elevate any team to championship status. The Boston Celtics reaped the benefits of his presence this season, and as Holiday continues to thrive, more banners and accolades are sure to follow.