When the Milwaukee Bucks traded for Damian Lillard last summer, they couldn't have anticipated that Jrue Holiday would end up on the Boston Celtics. Yet, less 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.
Transformative Impact
Holiday's arrival transformed the Celtics in both tangible and intangible ways. Freed from the necessity of being a primary scorer or creator, he filled in crucial gaps and elevated Boston's defense to a suffocating level. Brad Stevens, the Celtics' executive, has made some incredible trades in his tenure, 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. 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 was 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 Dallas.
Defensive Excellence
Holiday's consistency throughout the series was remarkable. If you sign him, then a title shot is almost guaranteed to follow. His stellar defense demoralized the Mavericks, with Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving unable to generate consistent offensive leverage whenever Holiday was on the floor. Jalen Brunson recently called Holiday the best defender in the league, and it's easy to see why. His lateral movement, flexibility, strength, and anticipation are otherworldly. Holiday's ability to anticipate opponents' moves often leaves them hesitant 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 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 a well-deserved $1.2 million bonus worked into his contract for winning the championship, and he checked off every incentive bonus available to him, totaling an extra $2.8 million. In what has truly been a dream season, 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.
A Hall of Fame Journey
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. His accolades and achievements continue to mount, making a compelling case for his future Hall of Fame induction.
Holiday's impact on the Celtics has been immeasurable. As one NBA analyst noted, "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." Whether on defense or making smart offensive plays, Holiday has shown that in the world of professional sports, sometimes a single player can make all the difference.
His presence has been transformative for the Celtics, and his contributions have left an indelible mark on the franchise. In less than a year, Jrue Holiday has gone from a trade afterthought to a cornerstone of an NBA championship team, solidifying his legacy as one of the game's elite players.