The Boston Celtics’ acquisition of Jrue Holiday was precisely for this moment.
As the Boston Celtics’ 2020-2021 NBA season came to an end with a loss to the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference finals, Brad Stevens, the president of basketball operations, and the rest of the front office had to make some tough decisions. They were faced with a crucial question: what are the next steps for the team?
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To what extent were they prepared to disrupt the foundation of a squad that had suffered defeat in the NBA Finals in 2022 and narrowly missed out on making a comeback the following year?
The Celtics decided to take a bold approach, choosing to trade their veteran point guard Marcus Smart in a move to acquire the 7-foot-tall Kristaps Porzingis. They continued to make moves, seizing the opportunity to trade for Damian Lillard after the Milwaukee Bucks traded him to the Portland Trail Blazers. The Celtics wasted no time in making their move, trading away former NBA Sixth Man of the Year Malcolm Brogdon and big man Robert Williams III to acquire Jrue Holiday.
The Celtics’ bold moves have had a tremendous impact, delivering exactly what was needed to produce a regular season with 64 wins, a dominant performance through the first three rounds of the playoffs, and a commanding 2-0 lead over the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA Finals.
Holiday, a staunch defender, showcased his defensive skills by limiting Kyrie Irving in Game 2, while also contributing 26 points and 11 rebounds to help Boston secure a 105-98 victory. This performance serves as a testament to Holiday’s natural talent and confirms that he is fulfilling his destiny on the basketball court.
Before the Finals began, Holiday expressed his contentment with the situation, saying, “I believe that this is how it was meant to be, and I am happy to be present in this moment.”
According to the Boston Celtics coach, Joe Mazzulla, being in the moment is crucial, especially this season. And this is exactly what the player has been striving to achieve.
At the ripe age of 33, Holiday’s effectiveness for the Celtics stems from his flexibility to adjust his gameplay to cater to the team’s requirements this season.
During the Bucks’ championship season in 2020-21, Holiday played as the No. 3 scoring option in Milwaukee, right behind Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton. However, in Boston, he has accepted being the fourth or fifth option. As a result, his scoring average per game has decreased to 12.5, which is the lowest he has had since his rookie season.
During certain moments, like in Game 2, the Dallas team made a conscious effort to limit the performance of All-Star player Jayson Tatum. This caused the Boston Celtics to rely more heavily on the abilities of Jaylen Brown or to overcome struggles faced by Porzingis. In these situations, Jrue Holiday was required to step up and increase his own contributions to the game.
Maintaining his intensity on the defensive end this season, he has achieved a remarkable feat by being selected to the NBA All-Defensive second team. This marks the sixth time he has been picked for either the first or second team in his illustrious career.
According to Holiday, the team’s recent success is a result of the cohesive bond they have been developing throughout the season.
He stated that sacrificing and accomplishing something together can bring people closer. The experience of going through victories and defeats and building something together holds significant value. He emphasized that every member of the team, from the first roster spot to the fifteenth, had to make sacrifices to achieve their common goal.
Holiday’s transition to Boston has been made easier by his pre-existing relationship with Tatum. The two had previously played together on the 2020 U.S. Olympic basketball team, which had won a gold medal during the Olympics held in Tokyo.
According to Tatum, his periodic check-ins with Holiday throughout the season were made easier by their relationship.
According to Tatum, he would often remind his teammate to stay true to himself and that his presence would be crucial during important moments, such as Game 2.
Holiday has been able to showcase his strengths, particularly his talent for bringing a sense of serenity to the court amidst Mazzulla’s controlled mayhem.
During crucial moments, Holiday has been a reliable source of stability for his team. In past playoff runs, the team struggled during these critical situations, often resorting to one-on-one play or making costly turnovers. However, with Holiday’s presence, the team has been able to avoid these issues and perform at their best when it matters most.
Holiday understands the experience of playing alongside a star like Antetokounmpo and bringing out the best in them, even though a player like Smart may have been a dominant alpha on the court.
Tatum refused to entertain the thought of where the Celtics would be without Holiday on the roster when asked to imagine it.
He said, “It’s a relief that we don’t have to experience it.”
Holiday’s future with the team looks secure, regardless of the outcome of the Finals. This is because he signed a four-year extension in April, indicating a long-term commitment to the team.
Holiday expressed his sense of belonging and teamwork, stating, “From here on, I’m supposed to be here, with my teammates, and we’re supposed to do this together.”
He will only consider his arrival in Boston a success if he achieves a certain goal.
He expressed, “The journey has been fantastic, but we still have work to do. The job is not complete.”
