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, largely thanks to Holiday's transformative influence on the team.
A Transformational Addition
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. Holiday's defensive prowess was particularly highlighted during the 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 a line of 31-11-8-2 in the clincher on Monday, Holiday's Game 2 performance was the standout single-game showing in the series.
An Unforgettable 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. The Mavericks' chances in the series dwindled as Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving found themselves unable to generate consistent offensive leverage. Although Jaylen Brown was impressive, it was Holiday who had Doncic and Irving in virtual shackles whenever he was on the floor. His consistency throughout the series was remarkable.
If you sign Holiday, then a title shot is almost guaranteed to follow. If he were 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. Holiday is the only player in the league to win two championships over the last four years. He played a crucial role in leading the Bucks to the 2021 championship against the Suns, rendering Chris Paul ineffective.
Defensive Mastery
Jalen Brunson recently 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. His contributions extend beyond defense. Holiday consistently makes smart plays with the ball or cuts to the right spots. His ball-hawk instincts also help secure long offensive rebounds. 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. He 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.
Cashing In
Holiday 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. Holiday's impact on the Celtics has been immeasurable. In the world of professional sports, sometimes a single player can indeed make all the difference.
Expert Opinions
"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. "Against Doncic and Irving? That is an insane thing to say."
Brunson said, "Holiday [is] the best defender in the league."
Brad Stevens' tenure with the Celtics has been marked by some incredible trades, including landing Kristaps Porzingis and Derrick White, which are considered among his best moves in recent memory. Many argue that acquiring Holiday surpassed even those achievements. Jrue Holiday's contributions have not just been about statistics; his leadership, grit, and determination have taken Boston to the next level. He has truly proved to be an invaluable asset, proving once again that in professional basketball, one player can indeed make all the difference.