When the Milwaukee Bucks traded for Damian Lillard last summer, they didn't anticipate Jrue Holiday ending up with their rivals, the Boston Celtics. Yet, fewer than nine months later, the Celtics added an 18th championship banner to their all-time NBA ledger, thanks in large part to the transformative influence of Holiday.
A Game-Changer in Boston
Holiday's arrival in Boston made the Celtics an entirely different team in both tangible and intangible ways. Thriving in a role where he didn't need to be the primary scorer or creator, Holiday filled all the right gaps and elevated Boston's defense to a suffocating level. This shift was instrumental in their successful championship campaign.
Brad Stevens, the Celtics' executive responsible for some incredible trades, has seen impressive acquisitions, such as Kristaps Porzingis and Derrick White, but many argue that the move to acquire Holiday surpassed all others. Holiday's defensive prowess was particularly evident during the series against the Dallas Mavericks, where he was often Boston's most valuable player.
Shutting Down Superstars
Holiday was a defensive juggernaut, capable of shutting down any opponent he faced. In the Finals against the Mavericks, his performance was crucial in neutralizing Dallas' stars, Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. These players found themselves unable to generate consistent offensive leverage, thanks to Holiday's relentless defense. Until Jayson Tatum recorded a line of 31-11-8-2 in the clincher, Holiday’s Game 2 performance stood as the single most outstanding showing in the series.
To put his impact into perspective, one must 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 consistency throughout the series was undeniable, demonstrating that wherever he goes, a title shot is almost guaranteed.
A Key Piece for Any Contender
Holiday's ability to elevate a team's defense and contribute smartly to its offense makes him a coveted player. If placed on teams like the Knicks, Sixers, Clippers, or Lakers, he would immediately put them in the mix for a championship. Holiday is a rare talent in the NBA, being the only player to win two championships over the last four years.
His influence in the Bucks’ 2021 championship run was unforgettable, where he rendered Chris Paul ineffective. Known as the best defender in the league by peers like Jalen Brunson, Holiday’s strengths lie in his lateral movement, flexibility, strength, and anticipation. He demoralizes opponents to the extent that they hesitate to even want the ball in their hands.
Beyond Defense
Holiday's contributions aren't confined to the defensive end. He consistently makes smart plays with the ball or cuts to the right spot, showcasing impeccable ball-hawk instincts that help secure long offensive rebounds. He completed the playoffs with impressive 50-40-95 shooting splits, highlighting his efficiency.
In the Finals, Holiday averaged just under 15 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists on 53/42/100 shooting splits. He scored the first six points for the Celtics in the decisive game, exploiting the attention Tatum drew from the defense to find gaps and score. Doncic and Irving often fell asleep, allowing Holiday to slip into advantageous positions.
Reaping the Rewards
Holiday's performance has not only earned him accolades but also financial rewards. He added an extra $1.2 million to his earnings through a contractual bonus for winning the championship, totaling an additional $2.8 million in incentive bonuses. For Holiday, it has truly been a dream season, going from discovering his trade from the Bucks upon waking from a nap to winning his second championship in less than a year.
His impact on the Celtics has been immeasurable, proving that in professional sports, sometimes a single player can indeed make all the difference. As one NBA analyst aptly put it, "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." Brunson further remarked, "Holiday [is] the best defender in the league."
In the game of basketball, where the dynamics can often be unpredictable, Jrue Holiday's steadiness, defensive mastery, and all-around play make him one of the most valuable players in the league today. The Boston Celtics' recent triumph stands as a testament to his remarkable influence.