When the Milwaukee Bucks traded for Damian Lillard last summer, they probably did not anticipate Jrue Holiday ending up on the Boston Celtics. Yet, fewer than nine months later, Boston fans are celebrating an 18th championship banner added to their all-time NBA ledger, a feat significantly influenced by the presence of Holiday.
The Holiday Effect: Tangible and Intangible Impacts
Holiday transformed the Celtics both in ways that fans could see and in subtler, less quantifiable manners. Thriving in a role where he did not need to be the primary scorer or creator, Holiday filled crucial gaps and elevated Boston's defense to a stifling level. His defensive prowess was particularly notable, as he consistently shut down opposing players and demoralized them to the point where they hesitated to even want the ball.
Brad Stevens' Winning Moves
The tenure of Brad Stevens as the President of Basketball Operations for the Celtics has been marked by some incredible trades. Acquiring Kristaps Porzingis and Derrick White are often hailed as some of his best moves. However, many argue that the acquisition of Holiday surpassed even those achievements. Indeed, Holiday's arrival was a game-changer for the Celtics, making him arguably the most valuable player for the team.
Defensive Dominance Against the Mavericks
Holiday’s defensive excellence was highlighted during the series against the Dallas Mavericks. He was touted as Boston's most valuable player in that series, capable of effectively shutting down superstars like Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. Until Jayson Tatum's standout performance of 31 points, 11 rebounds, 8 assists, and 2 steals in the clinching game, it was Holiday’s Game 2 showing that had captured headlines.
Holiday's consistency was remarkable, managing to score at least 38 points with zero turnovers through the first two games of the Finals. The last player to achieve such a feat was Michael Jordan in 1998. As Doncic and Irving struggled to generate consistent offensive leverage, the Mavericks' chances dwindled with each passing game.
A Defensive Maestro
Jrue Holiday’s defensive skills earned him heaps of praise from his peers and analysts alike. Jalen Brunson called Holiday the best defender in the league, pointing out his lateral movement, flexibility, strength, and anticipation. Holiday’s ball-hawk instincts and ability to secure long offensive rebounds have also made him invaluable. His impact extended far beyond defense; he consistently made smart plays with the ball and was often in the right place at the right time on offense.
Holiday wrapped up the playoffs with impressive 50-40-95 shooting splits. He averaged just under 15 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists on 53/42/100 shooting splits in the Finals. His offensive contributions included scoring the first six points for the Celtics in the clinching game, taking advantage of defensive lapses as Tatum drew the Mavericks' attention.
A Worthy Investment
Holiday’s performances also came with a financial upside. He earned an additional $1.2 million bonus for winning the championship, and by meeting all the incentive bonuses built into his contract, he secured an extra $2.8 million. In less than a year, Holiday went from discovering he had been traded from the Bucks upon waking from a nap to winning his second championship, reinforcing what is becoming a Hall of Fame career.
Immeasurable Impact
Jrue Holiday’s impact on the Celtics has been immeasurable. His ability to change the course of a series with his defensive acumen and steady offensive contributions underlines the importance of having a player of his caliber. His performance serves as a reminder that, in the world of professional sports, a single player can indeed make all the difference. As some analysts noted, "I'm sure it happened at some point, but I can't recall Holiday getting truly beat one time in this series," which is high praise given the level of competition he faced.