When the Milwaukee Bucks traded for Damian Lillard last summer, they likely didn't anticipate Jrue Holiday ending up on the Boston Celtics. Yet, fewer than nine months later, Boston Celtics fans are celebrating an 18th championship banner, thanks in no small part to Holiday's arrival.
A Transformative Addition
Holiday's presence altered the Celtics in both tangible and intangible ways. While he thrived in a role that didn’t require him to be a primary scorer or creator, he filled in all the right gaps, elevating Boston's defense to a suffocating level. Fans and analysts alike have noted that Brad Stevens' tenure with the Celtics has been highlighted by some incredible trades—landing Kristaps Porzingis and Derrick White are considered among his best recent moves. However, many argue that acquiring Holiday surpassed even those achievements.
Defensive Greatness
Holiday’s defensive prowess was particularly noticeable during the playoff series against the Dallas Mavericks. He was Boston's most valuable player in that series, capable of shutting down any opponent he faced. Until Jayson Tatum put up an impressive line of 31-11-8-2 in the clincher on Monday, Holiday's Game 2 performance was the standout single-game showing in this 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.
As the series progressed, the Mavericks’ chances dwindled. Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving found themselves unable to generate consistent offensive leverage, largely due to Holiday’s exceptional defensive skills. Although Jaylen Brown was impressive in his own right, it was Holiday who had Doncic and Irving in virtual shackles whenever he was on the floor.
Consistent Excellence
Holiday's consistency throughout the series was remarkable. When he’s on your team, a title shot seems almost guaranteed. If Holiday were placed on the Knicks, the Sixers, the Clippers, or the Lakers, and if those teams aren't winning a title, they’re certainly in the mix. Holiday is the only player in the league to win two championships over the last four years. His role was crucial in leading the Bucks to the 2021 championship against the Suns, where he managed to render Chris Paul ineffective.
Recently, Jalen Brunson called Holiday the best defender in the league. Holiday’s 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.
Beyond Defense
Holiday’s contributions extend far beyond defense. He consistently makes smart plays with the ball or cuts to the right spot on the floor. His ball-hawk instincts also help secure long offensive rebounds, giving his team more possession opportunities. He 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.
On Monday, Holiday scored the first six points for the Celtics, 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.
A Rewarding Season
Holiday earned himself a little more cash with a $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, capping what has truly been a dream season. In less than a year, Holiday went from discovering that 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.
The Difference Maker
Holiday’s impact on the Celtics has been immeasurable. It goes to show that in the world of professional sports, sometimes a single player can indeed make all the difference. "I'm sure it happened at some point, but I can’t recall Holiday getting truly beat one time in this series," stated an NBA analyst, further remarking, "Against Doncic and Irving? That is an insane thing to say." Brunson echoed the sentiment, labeling Holiday as "the best defender in the league."
As the Celtics celebrate their 18th championship, one thing is clear: acquiring Jrue Holiday was not just a game-changer but a championship-winner.