When the Milwaukee Bucks traded for Damian Lillard last summer, few expected Jrue Holiday to end up on the Boston Celtics, let alone have a profound impact. Less than nine months later, the Celtics have added an 18th championship banner to their historic NBA ledger, and Holiday's contributions have been both tangible and intangible.
Transforming the Team
Holiday thrived in a role where he did not need to be the primary scorer or creator. He filled vital gaps and elevated Boston's defense to a suffocating level. Brad Stevens' tenure as the Celtics' executive has been marked by incredible trades, including landing Kristaps Porzingis and Derrick White. Yet, many argue that acquiring Holiday surpassed even those landmark moves. Holiday's defensive prowess particularly shone during the series against the Dallas Mavericks.
Defensive Excellence
Holiday's defense was a game-changer. In the Finals against Dallas, Holiday emerged as Boston's most valuable player. He had the capability to shut down any opponent, effectively placing Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving in virtual shackles whenever on the floor. His consistency throughout the series was remarkable. Holiday's Game 2 performance stood out, making him the first player since Michael Jordan in 1998 to score at least 38 points with zero turnovers through the first two games of a Finals series.
Doncic and Irving, usually formidable, found themselves unable to generate consistent offensive leverage against Holiday’s relentless defense. Jaylen Brown, while impressive, conceded that it was Holiday who was crucial in neutralizing Doncic and Irving.
The Impact Beyond Defense
Holiday’s contributions also extended well beyond just defense. He consistently made smart plays, executed timely cuts, and his ball-hawk instincts helped secure long offensive rebounds. Holiday wrapped up the playoffs with impressive 50-40-95 shooting splits, averaging just under 15 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists on 53/42/100 shooting splits in the Finals.
During the clinching game, he scored the first six points for the Celtics, effectively exploiting openings as Jayson Tatum drew the defense’s attention. He managed to earn every incentive bonus worked into his contract, totaling an extra $2.8 million, which includes a $1.2 million bonus for winning the championship in what has truly been a dream season.
Hall of Fame Trajectory
In less than a year, Holiday has gone from finding out he was traded from the Bucks upon waking from a nap to winning his second championship, solidifying what is fast becoming a Hall of Fame career. His impact on the Celtics has been immeasurable.
Holiday is the only player in the league to win two championships over the last four years, having played a crucial role in leading the Bucks to the 2021 championship against the Suns. During that championship run, Holiday rendered Chris Paul ineffective, showing a glimpse of his defensive capabilities.
Jalen Brunson recently called Holiday the best defender in the league, highlighting his lateral movement, flexibility, strength, and anticipation, describing these attributes as otherworldly. Holiday demoralizes opponents to the point where they hesitate to even want the ball in their hands.
The Difference-Maker
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, Holiday’s presence would significantly elevate any team’s championship aspirations. An NBA analyst shared, "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’s impact on the Celtics this season has reaffirmed that sometimes a single player can indeed make all the difference in the world of professional sports. As Holiday continues his career, his legacy as one of the game's best all-around players will only grow stronger.