The Boston Celtics were fully prepared for this moment, which is precisely why they acquired Jrue Holiday.
As the Boston Celtics’ season came to a close with a loss to the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference finals, president of basketball operations Brad Stevens and the rest of the front office were faced with a daunting question. They had to figure out their next steps in order to move forward.
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To what extent were they willing to revamp the essence of a squad that had endured a defeat in the NBA Finals in 2022 and subsequently fell just one game short of making a comeback the following year?
They decided to take a big swing in the end, and as part of the deal that brought in 7-footer Kristaps Porzingis, they traded their long-time point guard Marcus Smart. Once Milwaukee traded Holiday to Portland to acquire Damian Lillard, the Celtics quickly acted and traded their former NBA Sixth Man of the Year Malcolm Brogdon and big man Robert Williams III to acquire Holiday.
The Celtics’ bold moves have brought them the success they needed. Their regular season saw an impressive 64 wins, and they breezed through the first three rounds of the playoffs. Currently, they hold a 2-0 lead over the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA Finals.
Holiday, known for his defensive prowess, played a crucial role in limiting Kyrie Irving and helping Boston secure a 105-98 victory in Game 2. His impressive performance, which included 26 points and 11 rebounds, serves as a testament to the fact that Holiday is in the right place at the right time.
Before the start of the Finals, Holiday expressed his satisfaction with the moment and believed that it was meant to happen. “I’m grateful to be here and to experience this,” he said.
According to the Boston Celtics’ coach, Joe Mazzulla, staying present in the moment is crucial, and this is something that the player has been striving to achieve throughout this season.
One of the reasons why Holiday has been an asset for the Celtics is his flexibility in adjusting his game to match the team’s requirements this season. Despite being 33 years old, he has shown a great willingness to adapt and contribute in any way possible.
During the Bucks’ championship season in 2020-21, Holiday served as the No. 3 scoring option in Milwaukee, following Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton. However, in Boston, he has willingly accepted a lower role as the fourth or fifth option. As a result, his average of 12.5 points per game this regular season is his lowest since his rookie year.
During certain occasions, like in Game 2, the Dallas team opted to double up on All-Star player Jayson Tatum, which placed more pressure on Jaylen Brown. Additionally, there were moments when Porzingis struggled, and this required Holiday to step up his game and contribute more.
This season, he managed to maintain his intensity on the defensive end and finally achieved his goal. He was recently named to the NBA All-Defensive second team, marking his sixth selection for either the first or second team in his career.
According to Holiday, the team’s success is a direct result of the strong bond they have formed over the course of the season.
He expressed, “In my opinion, when individuals make sacrifices together and work towards a common goal, it strengthens their bond. Experiencing both successes and failures and collaborating to establish something significant holds great value. Every member, from the first to the fifteenth roster spot, has made a sacrifice.”
Holiday’s transition to Boston has been made easier due to his existing relationship with Tatum. They were both part of the 2020 U.S. Olympic basketball team that won the gold medal 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 frequently remind his teammate to stay true to himself and to be ready for crucial moments like Game 2. “We’re going to need you,” he emphasized.
Holiday’s strengths have been utilized to their fullest extent, particularly his talent for bringing a sense of tranquility to the court amidst Mazzulla’s organized chaos.
During critical moments in recent playoff runs, the team had a tendency to falter, relying too heavily on one-on-one play or committing turnovers. However, Holiday has brought stability to the team during these crucial times, ensuring they remain strong and focused.
Holiday understands what it takes to play with a superstar like Antetokounmpo and bring out the best in them, even though players like Smart may be dominant alphas on the court.
Tatum refused to even consider the possibility of the Celtics without Holiday on the roster when asked to imagine the scenario.
“He said, ‘It’s a good thing we don’t have to find out,'” with a sense of relief in his voice.
Holiday’s future with the team is secure, regardless of the outcome of the Finals, as he signed a four-year extension in April.
Holiday expressed his sense of belonging and camaraderie with his teammates, stating, “From here on it’s like – I’m supposed to be here. And I’m supposed to be with my teammates. And we’re supposed to do this together.”
Arriving in Boston will only be considered a success if he feels a certain way.
He expressed his satisfaction with the journey so far, stating that it has been great and awesome. However, he emphasized that the task at hand is not yet complete.
