Jrue Holiday Brings Experience and Defense to the Defending Champion Celtics
As the Boston Celtics embark on the 2024-25 NBA season, they do so with the coveted title of defending champions. Integral to their roster this season is Jrue Holiday, a seasoned veteran who brings a wealth of experience and a sterling defensive reputation. At 34 years old, Holiday’s career has been marked by numerous accolades, including multiple All-Star selections and an NBA championship with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2021.
Holiday is widely recognized as one of the premier perimeter defenders in the league. His 15 seasons in the NBA have seen him develop into a player known not only for his defensive prowess but also for his ability to perform in clutch situations.
"I'd have to say the championship, for a couple of reasons. One would be as a little kid, I feel like this is what you dreamed about. Like, winning the NBA championship... and then doing it for the city [of Boston], and it being since 2008 and just seeing, like, how the city backs you and the support that you get, it was amazing," Holiday said, reflecting on his aspirations and achievements.
Joining the Celtics, Holiday brings with him the legacy of having broken a five-decade championship drought with the Bucks. He draws a comparison between the experiences in Milwaukee and Boston, noting, "It's cool, I think the Bucks one was like 50 years or something, just insane. But I will say there is a bit of a difference in legacy when it comes to Milwaukee and Boston. So being able to do it [in Boston] and experience that was crazy."
Despite the pomp surrounding superstar players, Holiday emphasizes the importance of team dynamics and role players. "You have to be able to sacrifice, and you have to be able to look at the ultimate goal. It's not always about being a superstar. The role players are just as important, and they're kind of what makes this engine go," he remarked. His humility and appreciation for team chemistry are echoed in his comments about the Celtics’ success: "Sometimes it's not always about having the best players. Sometimes it is about chemistry, and luckily for us, we had both."
Off the court, Holiday’s commitment to his physical well-being has been pivotal to his longevity in the league. He has undergone four or five surgeries throughout his career, a fact he credits Thorne Supplements with helping him manage: "I don't think people understand how much Thorne has helped me just to stay on the court, to recover from injuries, to recover after a long game."
His dedication to self-care and nutrition has been a transformative journey. He candidly shared, "I used to eat terribly... At 19 or 20 or 21 you can do anything you want and bounce back the next day... So I've definitely grown and matured in that way."
Holiday's recent move to Boston, however, came with initial challenges. Arriving late to the Celtics’ training camp due to health clearances, he underscored the supportive team environment: "I came to Boston and I think I missed the first day of training camp because I wasn't cleared yet. So it took me a little while, but my teammates did help me build my confidence."
Looking ahead to the current season, Holiday is not alone in carrying the torch for the Celtics. He acknowledges the incredible depth of talent within the team, stating, "Every game is going to be different. Like [Derrick] White might be going crazy in this game, or [Kristaps Porzingis] might be going crazy this game. So it makes it easy knowing that you could have a great game and your teammates support you."
Much of the Celtics' potential success this season can be attributed to the leadership of Coach Joe Mazzulla, of whom Holiday speaks highly: "He loves being the one doubted. He loves being the underdog. And he loves the fight."
In balancing professional demands with personal well-being, Holiday advises: "It's a mentality. I do think some of it is being able to step away from basketball a little bit if that's what you need."
As the Celtics navigate their new season, the infusion of Jrue Holiday’s experience, coupled with his steadfast defensive skills, presents an exciting prospect for the team and their fans. With a storied career replete with triumphs and trials, Holiday stands poised to make a significant impact in Boston’s quest to defend their championship title.