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 Game-Changer: Jrue Holiday
Jrue 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. Many argue that acquiring Holiday surpassed even Brad Stevens' best moves in recent memory, such as landing Kristaps Porzingis and Derrick White.
Defensive Prowess: A Standout Series
Holiday's defensive prowess was particularly highlighted during the series against the Dallas Mavericks. Holiday was Boston's most valuable player in that series. His defensive capabilities, particularly against Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, were critical. Doncic and Irving found themselves unable to generate consistent offensive leverage as Holiday's consistency demoralized them. Holiday’s ability to shut down any opponent is well-regarded, earning him praise from contemporaries like Jalen Brunson, who recently called Holiday the best defender in the league.
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. His impact was evident as the Mavericks' chances in the series dwindled with Holiday's incredible defensive and offensive plays.
Offensive Contributions
Holiday's contributions extended beyond defense. He consistently made smart plays with the ball or cut to the right spot. His ball-hawk instincts also helped secure long offensive rebounds, and 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. His scoring efficiency complemented the star performances of teammates like Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. 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.
Championship Impact
Holiday’s impact on the Celtics has been immeasurable. He 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. For the Celtics, his acquisition has been a game-changer, taking them from contenders to champions.
A Resolute Defender
An NBA analyst echoed the sentiment, saying, "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."
Holiday demoralizes opponents to the point where they hesitate to even want the ball in their hands. His lateral movement, flexibility, strength, and anticipation are otherworldly. Holiday’s ability to shut down elite opponents like Chris Paul in the 2021 Finals against the Suns or Doncic and Irving in this year's series showcases his incredible defensive prowess.
A Key to Championship Success
Holiday is the only player in the league to win two championships over the last four years, playing a crucial role in leading the Bucks to the 2021 championship and now the Celtics to their latest title. If you sign Jrue Holiday, then a title shot is almost guaranteed to follow. Whether placed on the Knicks, the Sixers, the Clippers, or the Lakers, and if those teams aren't winning a title, they're right in the mix.
In the world of professional sports, sometimes a single player can indeed make all the difference. Jrue Holiday’s impact on the Celtics is a testament to this fact, proving that the right addition can turn a great team into an unbeatable one.