Earlier this week, at Jrue Holiday’s first Celtics practice, Jaylen Brown sent a warm greeting to him.

We’re not referring to hugs, handshakes, or freshly baked cookies. No, JB welcomed Holiday like a true Bostonian.

Brown smiled as she recalled, “I wanted to go after him a little bit.” This was Saturday afternoon. “New to the city, fresh. Welcome to the group, he. Therefore, it’s best to do things that way.

Right away, Holiday and Brown became rough, putting the seasoned point guard to the test. Holiday, who never backs down from a physical confrontation, set the tone for what has been called one of the Auerbach Center’s most heated sessions in recent memory.

There was a lot of excitement in the gym after one play in particular. Brown was driving on a fast break when Holiday caught up to him, flung his body in front of the arc, and instantly halted the locomotive.

At Holiday’s opening news conference, Celtics co-owner Steve Pagliuca subsequently said, “We were marveling at the play.” “We haven’t seen Jaylen Brown run straight into Jrue as he was sprinting toward the hoop, I don’t think. That concluded it. It was amazing. Among the most amazing things I’ve ever witnessed in a practice.

Holiday is accustomed to confronting Brown head-on. Throughout their careers, the two have faced off multiple times, and Brown has always thought of Holiday as “one of the stronger guards in the league.”

Brown is “one of the best players that I have played against in my life, one of the hardest ones to guard,” according to Holiday. This is coming from a player who has been selected to the All-Defense team five times in a row, including three First-Team choices.

“There have been some struggles,” stated Holiday. He seems to be aware of my competitive spirit. He is aware that I never give up on anyone. And I can dish it back right back to someone who can deal it out. He probably understands, then, that you can always count on me to provide the intensity and competition that I’ll bring to the table every night, simply based on past experience.

Setting the tone for the games in a practice setting with that kind of competition should be beneficial.

“I think it just makes us better,” says Holiday, “that competitive nature in practice, in training camp, throughout the year, competing against each other like that, knowing that I know his tendencies, he knows mine.”

This is exactly the kind of practice partner that Brown might use to help elevate his game after earning his first All-NBA season. Now that he has officially welcomed Holiday to the team, it is time to get to work.

“He immediately rose to the challenge,” Brown remarked. “He’s coming after me with gusto. I adore it, so. There has been a lot of excitement and a wonderful atmosphere. We’re going to push each other to improve, I believe.”