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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.
The Holiday Transformation
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. He filled in all the right gaps and elevated Boston's defense to a suffocating level. Under Brad Stevens' tenure, the Celtics have been marked by some incredible trades. While landing Kristaps Porzingis and Derrick White are considered among his best moves in recent memory, many argue that acquiring Holiday surpassed even those achievements.
Lockdown Defender
Holiday's defensive prowess was particularly highlighted during the series against the Dallas Mavericks. In that crucial series, Holiday was Boston's most valuable player. Capable of shutting down any opponent, Holiday's defensive efforts were evidenced by his ability to neutralize Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, preventing them from generating consistent offensive leverage.
Standout Performances
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 this series. Scoring at least 38 points with zero turnovers through the first two games of a Finals is an extraordinary feat; the last player to achieve it was Michael Jordan in 1998.
An All-Around Contributor
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. His arrival has proven that signing Holiday almost guarantees a title shot. If placed on teams like the Knicks, the Sixers, the Clippers, or the Lakers, Holiday would significantly boost their championship prospects.
A Champion Twice Over
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, where he rendered Chris Paul ineffective. Jalen Brunson recently called Holiday the best defender in the league, a sentiment echoed by many analysts.
Unmatched Defensive Skills
Holiday's lateral movement, flexibility, strength, and anticipation are otherworldly. His ability to demoralize opponents reaches such an extent that they hesitate to even want the ball in their hands. Holiday's contributions extend well beyond defense; he consistently makes smart plays with the ball or cuts to the right spot, and his ball-hawk instincts also help secure long offensive rebounds.
Impressive Shooting Splits
Holiday wrapped up the playoffs with impressive 50-40-95 shooting splits. In the Finals, he 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.
A Record-Breaking Season
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.
Immeasurable Impact
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. His prowess has not only brought success to the Celtics but has also solidified his legacy as one of the game's elite defenders and all-around contributors.
Analyst Praise
"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."
Jalen Brunson said, "Holiday [is] the best defender in the league."