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, with Holiday playing a pivotal role in their success.
Holiday's Transformative Impact
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. Instead, 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 some incredible trades, including landing Kristaps Porzingis and Derrick White. However, many argue that acquiring Holiday surpassed even those achievements. Holiday's defensive prowess was particularly highlighted during the series against the Dallas Mavericks where he proved to be Boston's most valuable player. His ability to shut down opponents was unparalleled.
A Stellar Finals Performance
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 in the Finals against Dallas. 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 diminished as Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving found themselves unable to generate consistent offensive leverage. Although Jaylen Brown was also impressive, it was Holiday who had Doncic and Irving virtually shackled whenever he was on the floor.
Holiday's consistency throughout the series was remarkable. If you sign him, then a title shot is almost guaranteed to follow. 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, rendering Chris Paul ineffective. Jalen Brunson recently called Holiday the best defender in the league, citing his lateral movement, flexibility, strength, and anticipation as otherworldly.
Beyond Defense
Holiday's contributions extend far beyond defense. He consistently makes smart plays with the ball and cuts to the right spots. 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 clincher, 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 Season to Remember
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. His 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." Jalen Brunson echoed this sentiment, simply stating, "Holiday [is] the best defender in the league."
Jrue Holiday’s journey from an unexpected trade to becoming the linchpin of a championship team serves as a testament to his skill, dedication, and unwavering impact on the game. The Celtics' acquisition of Holiday didn’t just fill a roster spot; it transformed them into a defensive powerhouse and ultimately, NBA champions.