The Boston Celtics are one win away from becoming the 2024 NBA Champions, taking a 3-0 series lead over the Dallas Mavericks with a Game 3 win. Jayson Tatum reflected on the Celtics’ summer acquisition of Jrue Holiday, expressing genuine shock at the fact the Celtics got him.
“I don’t know how they let us get him but, I’m so happy that we got Jrue on our team and we’re just very fortunate. He just makes winning plays. Obviously, he’s been here and won a championship.”
Tatum spoke specifically about Holiday’s defensive impact on the Celtics.
“More than anything, he raises everyone’s level on defense. On the team we have, you don’t want to be the weakest link on defense. We all take pride in guarding our guy. It starts with Jrue Holiday and we’re just trying to match his level.”
Chuck: "It's a pleasure and a privilege to watch him [Jrue] play defense… he's the biggest difference on y'all team this year."
JT: "I don't know how they let us get him but, I'm so happy that we got Jrue on our team." 🔥 pic.twitter.com/RNcWZKtjV8
— NBA TV (@NBATV) June 13, 2024
Holiday had a quiet Game 3 performance, putting up nine points. His constant defensive pressure means even if his offense isn’t clicking, he’s a positive contributor on the court. He was the team’s star in Game 2, putting up 26 points and 11 rebounds, proving he can step up when they need him to.
Holiday got to the Celtics after the Milwaukee Bucks traded him away to the Portland Trail Blazers to acquire Damian Lillard, with the Blazers then flipping Holiday to the Celtics for Malcolm Brogdon, Robert Williams, 2024 first-round pick (via Warriors), 2029 unprotected first-round pick (via Celtics).
This was the perfect situation for Holiday, as he didn’t have the offensive load that exposed him in the 2023 Playoffs, allowing him to play within the rhythm of the game while providing All-NBA perimeter defense.
Jrue Holiday Was Not Happy About How The Bucks Traded Him
Jrue Holiday won a championship with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2021 but he was traded away for Damian Lillard last summer to add more offensive firepower to the roster. Holiday detailed his poor experience with how the Bucks traded him away without prior notice.
“I’m taking a nap. I see the text, I see a call from the GM and I’m like, I’ll call him back. Like I’m deep in this nap too. I’m saying it’s a good one. And then two seconds later, my agent calls me. So I pick up this call. He’s like, you talked to him? I’m like, nah bro, I’m sleeping.”
“He’s like, well, you just got traded, so you should probably call him back. And then I ended up looking at my phone, he ended up texting me everything that was happening, like, yeah, we traded you here, here. And then I ended up calling him, and he ended up saying like, yeah, we traded you for Damian Lillard.”
“So I also had no clue. I think for me, it was just a shock because at least let me know 24 hours in advance, not five minutes in advance. And maybe I’m asking for too much. It’s kind of like, I mean, I won there.”
The Bucks were eliminated in the first round after injuries to both Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo. Lillard had an average debut season with the Bucks as well, averaging 24.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 7.0 assists on 42.4% from the field.
He averaged 12.5 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.8 assists this season. The two-time All-Star is averaging 15.7 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 4.3 assists in the NBA Finals, proving to be an inspired acquisition.
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