- Boston traded Malcolm Brogdon and Robert Williams to get Jrue Holiday from Portland
- The Celtics could find on Holiday a veteran point guard who thrives in his role
- Holiday will be a starter and can add his championship experience to the mix
The Boston Celtics made a significant move during the offseason by trading Marcus Smart to the Memphis Grizzlies and acquiring Kristaps Porzingis from Boston. Last year, the franchise took a chance on Malcolm Brogdon, who was expected to be a valuable addition from Indiana, but the experiment didn’t yield long-term success.
Recently, the Celtics decided to trade Brogdon, along with a key player like Robert Williams, to acquire Jrue Holiday from the Portland Trail Blazers, where he had arrived via a trade for Damian Lillard. With this addition, Boston aims to address its major perimeter issues from the previous year.
Perimeter Defense
Marcus Smart served as the starting point guard for the Celtics last season, coming off a season where he had been named the Defensive Player of the Year. However, despite Boston boasting the second-best defense in the NBA with a 110.6 Defensive Rating, Marcus Smart couldn’t replicate the same defensive impact as in the previous year.
Boston’s best 5-man lineup with Smart in 2021/22 had a rating of 94.2, consisting of Smart, Brown, Tatum, Williams, and Horford. In contrast, during the 2022/23 season, Boston’s best lineup with Smart had a Defensive Rating of 109.8. This doesn’t mean that Smart had a terrible season, but defensively, there was a noticeable drop in his performance.
Looking at Smart’s individual performance, he didn’t reach the same level as his DPOY season. He achieved an impressive Defensive Rating of 105.2 in 2021/22, but that number rose to 111.7 in 2022/23. While these are still very good numbers, making him the 5th-best starting point guard in the NBA in that regard, he wasn’t the same player as in his previous season.
On the other hand, Jrue Holiday led the league in Defensive Rating among starting point guards with 107.8, trailing only Desmond Bane and Derrick White, who were also in Boston, among all backcourt players. While Smart had a good defensive year, Holiday’s performance in Milwaukee, which finished two spots behind Boston defensively in the 2022/23 season, surpassed that of the new Memphis player.
Judging solely by Defensive Rating can be unfair to a player’s defensive contribution, as it doesn’t account for the quality of the teammates. Both Smart and Holiday were starters and shared the court with the best available teammates, making this comparison more fair, especially when Boston had a better defense than Milwaukee statistically.
Playmaking Abilities
Marcus Smart isn’t a traditional pass-first point guard like Lonzo Ball, Chris Paul, or Mike Conley. Neither was Jrue Holiday for most of his career, but with the arrival of the former Buck, Boston can expect better offensive opportunities with the ball in his hands.
Holiday finished the season as the ninth-highest assist per-game leader with 7.4 assists for the Bucks. This would be the highest assist average for any Celtics player last season, with Smart leading at 6.4 APG.
Furthermore, his ability to run the pick-and-roll at a high volume can provide better offensive solutions. Against both Boston’s point guards, Holiday had a higher average of points created per game in that situation, with 7.4 PPG and the lowest turnover ratio, guaranteeing Boston a more patient and decision-savvy offensive weapon.
Holiday was never a player known for elite ball protection, but last year, he showed an improved understanding of the game, resulting in a significant jump in his primary playmaking role. According to NBA Stats, Jrue created 19.2 points per game through his assists and converted 32% of his passes into assists, more than Brogdon or Smart with the Celtics.
Boston had significant difficulties creating a fluid offense when their three-point shooting wasn’t up to par, suffering many turnovers that led to points for the opposition. The good news about this trade is that Holiday had the lowest Assist-to-Turnover ratio among him and both of Boston’s point guards. Thus, it’s expected that he will have a positive impact on the Celtics in terms of smoother offensive execution.
Jayson Tatum (47%) and Jaylen Brown (44%) created almost half of their shots without being assisted. While there are stars in the league who did so at a higher volume (Stephen Curry at 62% or Luka Doncic at 84%), the Jays could benefit, especially in the postseason, from having a playmaker who can make their offensive tasks easier, reducing the burden on them.
Offensive Production
Jrue Holiday is primarily known for his defensive prowess, but he can also provide Boston with another scoring option from the perimeter. This not only benefits any team but also presents a genuine threat to other playoff contenders, as Boston’s two stars, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, might face fewer double teams and defensive help if Holiday can make a significant contribution on the offensive end.
It’s not just his scoring mentality, as he averaged 19.3 points per game last season, while Smart scored 11.5 PPG with the Celtics. Of course, these numbers are expected to decrease in a team led by Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Kristaps Porzingis as the primary offensive weapons.
Despite that, it’s his scoring efficiency that can make him a much more impactful offensive player for Boston, shooting 47.9% from the field and an impressive 38.4% from three-point range. Boston has only two players who shot a better percentage from beyond the arc in the 2022/23 season, Sam Hauser and Al Horford.
From the somewhat inefficient Kemba Walker to Marcus Smart, who occasionally took more shots than necessary, the Celtics have struggled to find the best offensive fit for their point guard position for several seasons. With two brilliant All-Stars in Brown and Tatum, Holiday’s defensive prowess and lower need for offensive volume could be an ideal balance, especially considering his efficiency from long range, which can change the course of a game.
Team Chemistry
Another important aspect to consider is the team’s chemistry. The addition of Jrue Holiday to the Boston Celtics could have a significant impact on the team’s cohesion. Throughout his career, Holiday has proven to be a player with an exceptional work ethic and a winning mentality. His playoff experience, including his key role in the Milwaukee Bucks’ 2021 championship, could positively influence his new teammates.
Chemistry in a basketball team is not just about the relationship between players on the court but also about camaraderie off the court. Building trust and understanding among teammates can lead to better teamwork and, ultimately, success on the court. Jrue Holiday’s professionalism and leadership qualities make him a valuable addition in this regard.
Versatility And Depth
Jrue Holiday’s versatility as a player is another asset that Boston can benefit from. He is not limited to just one position; he can play both as a point guard and as a shooting guard. This flexibility allows the Celtics to experiment with different lineup combinations and adjust to various game situations.
Furthermore, the depth that Holiday brings to the roster cannot be understated. Having a player of his caliber coming off the bench or playing alongside the starters provides Boston with a significant advantage. Injuries and fatigue are common challenges in a long NBA season, and having a reliable and versatile backup like Holiday can make a difference in crucial moments.
Additionally, Holiday’s ability to play effectively on both ends of the floor allows Boston’s coaching staff to be creative with their strategies. They can deploy him as a lockdown defender against the opposing team’s best player or as a primary playmaker when needed. This flexibility gives the Celtics more tactical options and adaptability during games.
Leadership And Mentoring
As a veteran in the league, Jrue Holiday brings leadership and mentoring qualities to the Celtics’ locker room. Younger players, even superstars like Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, can learn valuable lessons from his experience. Holiday’s work ethic, professionalism, and attention to detail can set a high standard for the entire team.
Furthermore, his championship experience with the Milwaukee Bucks provides firsthand knowledge of what it takes to win at the highest level. This can be invaluable for a team like the Celtics that has championship aspirations. Holiday’s ability to navigate the pressures and challenges of the playoffs can serve as a guide for the team’s younger players, helping them stay focused and perform at their best when it matters most.
In conclusion, the addition of Jrue Holiday to the Boston Celtics represents more than just a roster change; it signifies a strategic move to enhance the team’s defense, playmaking, chemistry, versatility, depth, and leadership. While the success of any trade ultimately depends on how well the pieces fit together on the court, the potential benefits of this acquisition are substantial. As the upcoming NBA season unfolds, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how Jrue Holiday’s presence transforms the Celtics and whether it propels them closer to their championship aspirations.
