Jrue Holiday won the NBA championship for the second time in four years. In the fifth and final game against the Mavericks, the defensive master performed admirably. His 15 points and 11 rebounds helped the Celtics win a record 18th title. The veteran had been outstanding during the NBA Finals, performing admirably on both ends and leading the Boston team. After the win, he shared a heartfelt moment with the President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens, who was essentially the reason he landed in Boston after an uneasy breakup with Milwaukee.

“Thanks for bringing me here,” he told Stevens as they shared a hug. “There’s no greater feeling than this”. For context, we roll back a few months. In the offseason, Holiday was the centerpiece of the trade that welcomed Damian Lillard to Milwaukee. While it was good for the Deers, the Holiday family was heartbroken to be moving around and leaving the Bucks in the first place.

Lauren Holiday, Jrue’s wife, had shared her feelings with the fanbase. “Contrary to the cliche, it’s personal, meaning there are people’s lives that are affected. It’s never ‘just business.’ … Milwaukee was home.” She revealed how they had adopted the Milwaukee community and made efforts for its betterment. Moreover, she also meant what the city meant for their kids, who had begun education and were sharing classrooms with Holiday’s Bucks teammates’ children. All that for the defensive maestro to find out he was traded on a phone call without any prior conversations.

It was a difficult period for the Holiday family, especially Jrue. He had created an unbreakable tie with the Bucks organisation and thought everyone was close. Several of his teammates, especially the Greek Freak, expressed sadness over his departure. The Lillard trade sent him to Portland, a long way from a championship. That’s when Steven’s brain devised a strategy to bring in a difference maker like Holiday after moving Kristaps Porzingis from Washington.

The rest is history.

He was named to the All-Defensive Second Team alongside his backcourt partner, Derrick White. The duo developed a unique rhythm on the court that was punishing for their opponents. In the Finals, he expanded his role even further, demonstrating his versatility and completeness as a championship-caliber player. The Bucks actually lost the transaction. They may have received a superstar in Lillard, no doubt. But Holiday was the best thing that could have happened to them, as evidenced by their instant title in 2021. Perhaps they acted prematurely in their desire to gratify Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Jrue Holiday had a legitimate claim to win Finals MVP.
The Celtics’ dominant 2023-24 season came to an end, with Jaylen Brown being named Finals MVP. The explosive forward was spectacular and vicious, scoring 20 or more points in every game except one of the Finals. He also demonstrated his savvy defence, effectively protecting Kyrie Irving and PJ Washington. However, Holiday was critical to their victory.

The six-time All-Defensive guard is only concerned with winning. However, he ended up playing an important part in the Celtics’ record-breaking victory. During difficult times, the former Bucks guard stepped in to fill vacant roles. He scored 26 points when his team needed one. When a stop was sorely needed, Holiday devised a defensive play.

USA Today via Reuters

His impact on such possessions eventually contributed to the Dallas Mavericks’ defeat. In the five games, Holiday averaged 14.4 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 3.8 assists. The 34-year-old supplied the Celtics with floor spacing, dogged defence, and high-octane enthusiasm. He performed exactly what was expected of him—make championship-winning plays! He has had that in his blood since winning the championship with the Bucks.

He merely repeated his efforts from the 2021 race and implanted the culture in the new Boston team. His contract is still valid for another three years. And the Shamrocks don’t seem content with just one title. Will Holiday prove to be the worst deal the Bucks ever made if he wins another championship with their arch-rivals, the Celtics?

It will surely be up for consideration.