When the Milwaukee Bucks traded for Damian Lillard last summer, they didn't anticipate Jrue Holiday ending up on the Boston Celtics. Yet, fewer than nine months later, the Celtics are celebrating an 18th championship banner, largely thanks to Holiday's stellar contributions.
Transformative Acquisition
Holiday fundamentally transformed the Celtics, both in tangible and intangible ways. Thriving in a role where he did not have to be the primary scorer or creator, he filled crucial gaps and elevated Boston's defense to a level that many teams found suffocating.
Brad Stevens' tenure as the Celtics' general manager has been marked by several incredible trades, with the acquisitions of Kristaps Porzingis and Derrick White being notable highlights. However, many argue that snagging Holiday eclipses even those achievements.
Defensive Mastery
Holiday's defensive prowess was particularly evident during the series against the Dallas Mavericks. His ability to shut down any opponent made him the most valuable player for Boston in that series. Until Jayson Tatum delivered a stellar performance with a 31-11-8-2 line in the clinching Game 5, Holiday's Game 2 efforts stood as the standout individual performance.
Holiday's remarkable consistency throughout the Finals was a key factor in Boston's success. One has to look back to Michael Jordan in 1998 to find another player who managed at least 38 points with zero turnovers in the first two games of an NBA Finals, as Holiday did against Dallas. The Mavericks' chances dwindled as stars Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving found themselves unable to generate consistent offensive leverage against Holiday's relentless defense.
Offensive Contributions
Holiday's contributions extended beyond defense. He consistently made smart plays with the ball, always finding the right spot to cut or positioning himself for offensive rebounds. Concluding the playoffs with impressive 50-40-95 shooting splits, Holiday averaged just under 15 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists in the Finals, shooting 53% from the field, 42% from three, and a perfect 100% from the free-throw line.
In Game 5, Holiday set the tone by scoring the first six points for the Celtics, repeatedly finding himself in the dunker's spot as Tatum drew defensive attention. Dallas defenders, including Doncic and Irving, were often caught napping as Holiday exploited openings.
A Hall of Fame Career in the Making
Upon discovering he had been traded from the Bucks after waking from a nap, Holiday turned what could have been a disheartening moment into a season of triumph, ultimately helping the Celtics secure another NBA championship. In the span of less than a year, he has added a second championship to what is becoming a Hall of Fame career.
Holiday's impact on the Celtics has been immeasurable. His stellar defense earned him the acclaim of peers, with Jalen Brunson labeling him the best defender in the league. Holiday's lateral movement, flexibility, strength, and anticipation have indeed proven to be otherworldly, to the point where opponents seem hesitant to even hold the ball in his presence. His contributions extend beyond physical attributes to include his uncanny ability to anticipate plays, secure offensive rebounds, and consistently make intelligent decisions on the court.
A Dream Season
Holiday wrapped up the season not just with a championship ring but also a little more cash in his pocket. By meeting every incentive bonus in his contract, he added an extra $2.8 million to his earnings, including a $1.2 million bonus for winning the championship. It was truly a dream season, marked by personal and team successes.
In the world of professional sports, sometimes a single player can indeed make all the difference. Holiday has proven this, turning the Celtics into an almost unstoppable force and securing his place among the league's elite players. As he continues to add accolades to his career, both fans and analysts alike will remember this season as one where Jrue Holiday's brilliance shone brightest.
In the words of an NBA analyst, "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." Such high praise encapsulates the extraordinary impact Holiday has had since joining the Celtics and underscores why his acquisition is considered a masterstroke in NBA history.