When the Milwaukee Bucks traded for Damian Lillard last summer, they couldn't have foreseen Jrue Holiday ending up on the Boston Celtics. Fast forward fewer than nine months, and the Celtics have added an 18th championship banner to their all-time NBA ledger, thanks largely to the transformative presence of Holiday.
A Game-Changer
Holiday’s integration into the Celtics lineup made them an entirely different team in both tangible and intangible ways. Playing in a role where he didn’t need to be the primary scorer or creator, he filled all the right gaps, elevating Boston’s defense to a suffocating level.
Brad Stevens’ tenure with the Celtics has been marked by some incredible trades, including the acquisitions of Kristaps Porzingis and Derrick White. However, many argue that acquiring Holiday surpassed even those achievements.
Defensive Mastery
Holiday’s defensive prowess was particularly highlighted during the series against the Dallas Mavericks, where he was Boston’s most valuable player. He was capable of shutting down any opponent, and his Game 2 performance was the standout single-game showing in the series until Jayson Tatum put up a 31-11-8-2 line in the clincher on Monday.
To find another player who scored at least 38 points with zero turnovers through the first two games of a Finals, you would have to go back to Michael Jordan in 1998. Holiday's defense was so stifling that 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.
A Talented All-Rounder
Holiday’s contributions extend well beyond defense. He consistently made smart plays with the ball and cut to the right spots, helping to secure long offensive rebounds with his ball-hawk instincts. He wrapped up the playoffs with impressive 50-40-95 shooting splits, and in the Finals, he 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 throughout the series as Tatum drew the defense’s attention. Doncic and Irving were all too happy to fall asleep as Holiday slipped in behind them.
An Indispensable Asset
Holiday’s impact has been immeasurable. Jalen Brunson recently called him "the best defender in the league," and it's easy to see why. His 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.
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. Now, he's done it again with Boston.
Holiday’s efforts earned him 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.
Conclusion
Holiday’s impact on the Celtics has been monumental. 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."
With Holiday's talent, any team he joins is almost guaranteed to be in title contention. If he were placed on the Knicks, the Sixers, the Clippers, or the Lakers, they'd be right in the mix for a championship. Simply put, Jrue Holiday has proven himself to be a game-changing player, and his addition to any roster is undoubtedly a recipe for success.